Usually, when a big Hollywood sci-fi film starring a major movie star makes over half a billion dollars, a sequel is inevitable. However, in the case of Project Hail Mary<\/em> starring Ryan Gosling, we think leaving the story alone is the right move.<\/p>\n Since its release in March, Project Hail Mary<\/em> has become one of the biggest hits and most talked-about films of the year. Audiences love it, and, as one would expect, talk of a sequel began almost immediately. How could it not? The people in charge would be silly not to at least consider how they could keep the goodwill (and cash) flowing.<\/p>\n The prevailing thought, however, is that a sequel can\u2019t and won\u2019t happen without the input of Andy Weir. Weir wrote Project Hail Mary,<\/em> the novel, in 2021 and hasn\u2019t released another book since. He\u2019s said to be working on a new one, but what it\u2019s about remains a secret. What we do know is that he\u2019s never written a sequel, and the new book is definitely not a sequel to Project Hail Mary.<\/em> So, where does that leave things in terms of another movie?<\/p>\n Well, where Project Hail Mary<\/em> itself left things already makes a sequel pretty difficult. Not impossible, of course, but difficult. By the end of the film, Ryland Grace has completed his long-shot, Hail Mary space mission to save Earth. However, he did so alongside an alien named Rocky, with whom he quickly became best friends.<\/p>\n On his way home, Grace discovers a miscalculation and has to make a choice: stay on course or save Rocky. He picks the latter and ends up on Erid, Rocky\u2019s home planet. The Eridians fix Grace\u2019s ship, giving him a chance to go home, but Grace isn\u2019t in any rush. And the film leaves him there, content, on Erid with his best friend.<\/p>\n There are a few things that make Project Hail Mary<\/em> so special, and bringing them all back for a sequel is both crucial and incredibly challenging. First, you need Grace and Rocky. You can\u2019t have the movie without both of them. And so, maybe you tell the story of the pair saving other planets thanks to their discoveries. Or maybe there\u2019s another big disaster that necessitates their expertise.<\/p>\n Both of those ideas miss out on another key element, though: the development of the friendship. Again, one of the joys of Project Hail Mary<\/em> is watching humans and Eridians, two totally different beings, learning about each other. Figuring out each other\u2019s customs. Each other\u2019s language. Now that Grace and Rocky are friends, there\u2019s surely some humor to be played for that, but can it capture that same feeling or fill a whole movie? Highly doubtful. A sequel could probably introduce a third species to attempt the feat, but that seems a tad repetitive.<\/p>\n And, again, merely replicating Rocky and Grace\u2019s relationship in some way misses the final key ingredient: the stakes. The reason Project Hail Mary<\/em> is called that is that the mission is seemingly impossible. There\u2019s no way it should work. And, if it doesn\u2019t, two planets\u2019 worth of beings die. There almost couldn\u2019t be higher stakes. So, whatever new story developed would need that as well.<\/p>\n All of which is to say, we\u2019d love it if Project Hail Mary<\/em> remained a one-off. It\u2019s perfect as is with two great characters, fantastic dynamics, and world-saving stakes. And yet, if Andy Weir has an idea that excites him enough, we retain the ability to throw this article out entirely. But only if and when that happens. Because, without Weir\u2019s idea, an idea he believes doesn\u2019t undercut the original, we believe any attempt at a sequel could be a potential disaster.<\/p>\n Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what\u2019s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n![\"Project](\"https:\/\/gizmodo.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Project-Hail-Mary-Gosling-microscope.jpg\")
![\"Project](\"https:\/\/gizmodo.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/project-hail-mary-rocky.jpg\")
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