Why the New ‘Challenge Hail Mary’ Trailer Has That Large ‘Spoiler’ in It

When Andy Weir’s Challenge Hail Mary was first released, it occurred about 170 pages right into a 470-page novel. That’s when the writer determined it was time to disclose what his story was really about. Oh, positive. It was a couple of man named Ryland Grace waking up in space with amnesia and slowly determining that the destiny of the planet is in his fingers. However, additionally, it’s about Ryland assembly an alien.

Nicely, as you in all probability know, that ebook is turning into a film starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. And, after simply teasing it in the first trailer, its newest trailer prominently features the alien who Ryland nicknames “Rocky.” In keeping with Weir, who can also be a producer on the movie, there was dialogue about holding again the reveal, however in the end, the studio determined in opposition to it.

“It’s actually extra a advertising and marketing choice by Amazon MGM, however the concept was nobody’s going to stroll into that theater and never find out about Rocky,” Weir advised Polygon. “This isn’t a Darth Vader is Luke’s father form of state of affairs. It is a core, central factor of the plot that everyone’s going to be speaking about and that everyone who’s learn the ebook already is aware of about.”

Lord and Miller, who’re making their return to directing for the primary time in over a decade, agree. “You may’t inform this story with out introducing Rocky, as a result of the center of the story is the connection between him and Grace,” Miller mentioned in a Reddit AMA. “As followers of the ebook, you already know Rocky is the second lead of this film. And what’s proven within the trailer is only a glimpse of what’s to come back. Rocky is such a gorgeous and ‘amaze-‘ing character, and we have been all very considerate about what to indicate and when. You all understand how rather more there may be to this story and relationship than what’s proven within the trailer, and we’re excited for everybody to see the place it goes!”

Plus, as Weir mentioned in his interview, “All trailers are designed to place butts in seats, and we would like these butts in these seats. We wish individuals to go, ‘Now I wish to know what’s happening.’” And, by revealing that Gosling spends most of his screentime with an alien, you get a double dose of intrigue. Will this astronaut be capable to save the world? And, additionally, how on earth is he going to work together with a rock alien?

The solutions to these questions, nonetheless, are the actual spoilers and are actually going to be held for March, when Challenge Hail Mary involves theaters. Or, you already know, the ebook has been out for over 4 years, so you can at all times test that out, too. We’d recommend it.

Challenge Hail Mary opens March 20, 2026, and we can’t wait.

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