“Project Hail Mary ”Author Andy Weir Spills on Ryan Gosling: ‘I’m Straight, but We All Have Our Limits’

Andy Weir, the acclaimed author of *Project Hail Mary*, expressed his admiration for actor Ryan Gosling during a panel discussion at BookCon in New York City on April 19. The event featured Weir alongside fellow authors Robinne Lee, May Cobb, and Emily St. John Mandel, all of whom have recently seen adaptations of their novels into television or film.

The panel, moderated by Jason Blickman, kick-started with a light-hearted question directed at Weir regarding Gosling’s looks. “Is Ryan Gosling as handsome in person?” asked Blickman. Without hesitation, Weir responded, “I would say more,” demonstrating his obvious enthusiasm for the star who plays Dr. Ryland Grace in the upcoming film adaptation of Weir’s 2021 novel. Weir jokingly added, “I’m straight, but we all have our limits,” prompting laughter from the audience.

*Project Hail Mary* follows the story of Ryland Grace, a science teacher who unexpectedly awakens aboard a spaceship with the monumental task of saving humanity from extinction. Directed by the acclaimed duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film is scheduled for release on March 20.

Weir, who previously achieved success with his novel *The Martian*, which was adapted into a film starring Matt Damon, revealed that he took an active role in the production of *Project Hail Mary*. He served as a producer for the film, feeling a strong connection and sense of ownership towards the adaptation. “I was there for the whole shoot,” Weir explained. “I was giving notes and feedback on the screenplay before that, and then after that, I gave notes in the edits.” His involvement made him feel like part of the creative team, contributing to what he believes is a high-quality film.

Interestingly, Weir noted that the actors frequently improvised during filming. He shared, “They would go off script all the time. Ryan would go off script all the time, James Ortiz, who was the voice of Rocky… they riff off each other and stuff.” He estimated that approximately half of the film consists of ad-libbed variations on the original script. This revelation highlights the dynamic nature of the film-making process, with the performances adding an additional layer to the story’s development.

Reflecting on the experience, Weir remarked, “It was seeing the production that made me realise how much of the creative energy in the project comes just from the performance.” He praised the actors for going beyond merely delivering lines, noting that they are integral to the storytelling.

While Weir actively contributed to the production of *Project Hail Mary*, his fellow panellists had differing experiences with their respective adaptations. May Cobb served as an executive producer on the Netflix series adaptation of her novel *The Hunting Wives*. In contrast, Robinne Lee and Emily St. John Mandel had less hands-on involvement in the adaptations of their works. Lee’s *The Idea of You* is being adapted into a movie for Prime Video, while Mandel’s *Station Eleven*, based on her novel, was turned into an HBO Max series in 2021.

Mandel shared her thoughts on the adaptation process, fostering a deeper appreciation for the challenges encountered in the industry. “What I’ve come to realise is it’s kind of a small miracle that anything gets made at all, let alone that it’s good,” she expressed. Her sentiment reflects the myriad complexities faced within the entertainment industry, where numerous brilliant scripts may never see the light of day due to factors beyond creative control.

As the panel wrapped up, the authors not only highlighted their own journeys but also celebrated the collaborative effort that goes into adapting literature for the screen. Weir’s exuberance for his project, along with the insights shared by Cobb, Lee, and Mandel, provided a fascinating glimpse into the world of page-to-screen adaptations, emphasising both the excitement and unpredictability of transforming written narratives into visual storytelling.

As fans await the release of *Project Hail Mary* and other adaptations, these discussions serve as a reminder of the intricate interplay between authorship and performance, as well as the inherent challenges and triumphs within the world of adaptations.