Ryan Gosling and the creative minds behind the upcoming science-fiction film Project Hail Mary recently attended a town hall at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to bridge the gap between Hollywood magic and real space science.
The visit, which took place on February 25, 2026, allowed the Hollywood star and his team to engage with the brilliant minds at Nasa who help turn science-fiction into reality.
Based on a popular novel of the same name by Andy Weir, the film follows an astronaut on a high-stakes mission to save Earth from a solar catastrophe.
To ensure the cinematic version feels authentic, the production team collaborated closely with subject-matter experts.
During the filming process, Nasa astronaut Kjell Lindgren even shared personal insights with Gosling about the psychological and physical realities of human spaceflight.
The panel featured a powerhouse of talent, including Gosling and Sandra Hller, screenwriter Drew Goddard, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and author Andy Weir.
This town hall was a rare peek behind the curtain, showing how the crew asked detailed questions to ensure every bit of the journey to Tau Ceti, a Sun-like star in the constellation Cetus, felt earned and accurate.
HOW ACCURATE IS THE SCIENCE DEPICTED IN PROJECT HAIL MARY?
The collaboration between the US space agency and filmmakers is more than just a marketing stunt.
By providing access to engineers and scientists, Nasa helps directors and writers understand the physics of the cosmos.
For Project Hail Mary, this partnership ensured that the technical details of the spacecraft and the challenges of deep space travel are grounded in actual engineering principles.
This level of detail helps audiences feel more immersed in the story, as science becomes a character of its own.
WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AT PROJECT HAIL MARY’S TOWN HALL?
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the heart of robotic space exploration. It is where some of the most ambitious missions to Mars and beyond are managed.
By hosting Gosling and the crew, JPL allowed the filmmakers to see the cutting-edge technology currently being used to explore the unknown.
During the town hall event, which was broadcast internally across various agency centres, the team discussed how real missions inspire the narratives we see on the big screen.
The exchange of ideas was mutual, as scientists often find inspiration in the bold, imaginative concepts presented by science-fiction creators.
With a 100 per cent commitment to accuracy, this film aims to be a landmark in science communication.
