Producers are Thomas Michael of Fella Films and executive producers
are David Tish and Lee Nelson of Envision Media Arts and Roman
Kopelevich and Crystal Hill of Red Sea Media. The film was financed and
executive produced by BondIt Media Capital.[4]Lena Headey and Amybeth McNulty were cast as leads.[5]
Brainstorm Media acquired the films US distribution rights.[7] Photon Films secured the Canadian rights.[4] The film was released in the United States in theaters and on digital on April 17, 2026.[8]
Grace slowly remembers he is an American middle-school science teacher and former molecular biologist. Years ago, scientists observe an infrared line, named the "Petrova Line", forming from the Sun to Venus. They discover that a microorganism known as "astrophage"[a] is proliferating on the Sun's surface, causing it to dim, and predict it will cause a catastrophic global cooling within thirty years. Government agent Eva Stratt recruits Grace and other scientists to study astrophage.
Grace discovers that astrophage are single-celled organisms impenetrable to electromagnetic radiation.
The astrophage breed on Venus, feeding on the planet's carbon-dioxide
atmosphere and energy from the Sun. The Petrova line is created by
astrophage propulsive emissions
as they migrate between the Sun and Venus. Their emissions can be
utilized to construct an incredibly efficient but dangerous spacecraft
engine. The astrophage have infected other stars within Earth's solar neighborhood; Stratt discloses Project Hail Mary, an international effort to send a crew to Tau Ceti, the only undimmed nearby star, to investigate. It is a suicide mission; the Hail Mary
spacecraft can only carry enough astrophage fuel for a one-way trip,
but the crew's research will be sent back to Earth via probes.
In the present, as Grace approaches Tau Ceti, he sees an alien spacecraft. The spacecraft, which docks with Hail Mary, is made of solid xenon that Grace dubs "xenonite". The ship's pilot is a rock-like, five-legged alien from a planet in the 40 Eridani A system. Grace names the alien "Rocky" after Rocky Balboa; he deduces that Eridians have no eyes but "see" via echolocation, and creates a machine translation system to interpret Rocky's musical chords-like speech. Rocky is a mechanical engineer and also the sole survivor of a mission to stop the astrophage. Neither can survive in the other's atmosphere, so Rocky enters Hail Mary using a small, pressurized ball of xenonite as a space suit.
Following Tau Ceti's Petrova line, Grace and Rocky discover that the planet Tau Ceti e—which
they name "Adrian" after Rocky's mate—harbors an organism that preys on
astrophage, controlling their population. After learning that Grace
cannot return home, Rocky offers enough astrophage to refuel Hail Mary. While gathering the organism from the upper atmosphere of Adrian, a fuel leak causes an uncontrollable spin
that renders Grace unconscious. Rocky breaks his spacesuit and saves
Grace but is severely injured. While Rocky recovers in hibernation,
Grace learns how to selectively breed
the astrophage-consuming organism—which he names "Taumoeba"—to survive
in Venus's atmosphere. Rocky revives, and he and Grace part as friends
to their home planets.
In the past, Grace meets Hail Mary's
commander, engineer, and scientist, and their backups. While
experimenting with astrophage, an accident kills the scientist and
backup three days before launch. With no time to train a replacement,
Stratt asks Grace to take the place of the deceased scientists. When
Grace refuses, Stratt has him drugged and forcibly put on the Hail Mary.
During the trip to Earth, Grace discovers that the Taumoeba have
evolved to pass through their xenonite containers and are eating Hail Mary's
astrophage fuel. Grace repairs the problem on his ship but realizes
that Rocky's ship is made entirely of xenonite, allowing the Taumoeba to
consume all of his fuel. Grace chooses to save Rocky and the Eridians
over returning home, sending the Taumoeba and his research to Earth via
the probes.
Stratt receives the probes, allowing humanity to stop the
astrophage. Grace, having travelled with Rocky to the Eridians'
homeworld, now lives in an artificial biodome on their planet. Rocky tells him that Eridian scientists have finished preparing Hail Mary to return to Earth. While contemplating the news, Grace begins another day of teaching science to Eridian children.
Cast
Ryan Gosling, who plays Dr. Ryland Grace, also serves as a producer on the film
Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt, the head of the international task force behind Project Hail Mary[7]
James Ortiz as Rocky, an alien Grace encounters on his journey.[8]
The character was effected through a puppet controlled by a team of
five puppeteers led by Ortiz, dubbed the "Rockyteers", with Ortiz also
providing the artificial voice assigned to him.[9]
Ortiz also has an uncredited role as a television presenter[10]
The movie was "Filmed for IMAX"[b] by using large-sensor Arri Alexa 65 cameras, which provide 6.5K or 20 MP of resolution, with an aspect ratio of 2.1:1,[29] utilizing the whole sensor with anamorphic lenses
rotated by 90 degrees to achieve the IMAX standard 1.43:1 aspect ratio.
For regular presentations, the common 2:1 format was derived by cropping
the top and bottom of the IMAX image. The film switches between taller
and wider aspect ratios. When a scene takes place in the present, a
taller aspect ratio is used – 1.43:1 for IMAX 15/70mm or Dual Laser, 1.85:1 for Xenon
or Single Laser and 2.00:1 for non-IMAX presentations. For scenes in
the past, an aspect ratio of 2.39:1, a standard ratio for anamorphic
process cinematography, was achieved with the regular use of anamorphic
lenses.[30]
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Miller mentioned that no greenscreen was used in the movie, with the entire set being shot practically.[31]
Miller had previously stated that VFX was used to depict the spaceship
from the outside, while shots of Gosling in space were shot against a
black or varying color backdrop.[32]
NASA provided support through both the input of scientific experts and astronaut Kjell Lindgren visiting Gosling during filming to share insights on human spaceflight.[33]
While puppeteer James Ortiz voiced Rocky during filming with
Gosling, it was initially thought that he would be replaced by a more
high profile actor. However, Lord and Miller felt that Ortiz's
performance could not be improved upon during screenings of the film.[36] Lord praised the collaboration between visual and practical effects in the creation of the character Rocky's performance:
Rocky was built and designed by the legendary Neal Scanlan
and his creature shop and is performed by puppeteering legend James
Ortiz and his team, who were on set with Ryan in every scene. Rocky's
performance is a beautiful collaboration between the James and the other
Rockyteers on set and the wonderful animators at Framestore led by the
funny soulful Arslan Elver.[37]
The digitally produced movie was transferred to film stock and then re-digitized in order to achieve the "warmth" of analog film.[30] The initial test screening of the film was 3 hours and 45 minutes long and was cut down to the final length due to feedback from the screenings.[38]
The film's title is a reference to the Hail Mary pass in American football, a last ditch, desperate effort to score with slim chances of success.[42] The first trailer was released on June 30, 2025.[43]
It was the most viewed trailer for any original movie in the first week
of its release, accumulating 400 million views globally.[44]Lego released a model of the Hail Mary spacecraft on March 1, 2026, as part of the Lego Icons series.[45]
As of April 17, 2026, Project Hail Mary has grossed $269 million in the United States and Canada, and $269 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $538million.[4][5] While Variety estimated that most films costing $200 million to produce would need to gross at least $500 million to break even,
Amazon MGM says it uses a different metric, where the big screen
provides a halo effect that boosts subscriptions and viewership on Amazon Prime Video.[50]
In the United States and Canada, Project Hail Mary was released alongside Ready or Not 2: Here I Come and The Pout-Pout Fish, and was projected to gross $63–65 million in North America from 4,007 theaters in its opening weekend.[50] Initially, publications estimated that the film would gross $45–55 million.[51]
After grossing $31 million on opening day, including $12 million in
previews, the film debuted to $80.6 million in the United States and
Canada [52] and $60.4 million overseas for a worldwide total of $141 million, [53] becoming Amazon MGM Studios' biggest debut to date.[52] In its second weekend the film made $54.1 million (a drop of just 32.8%), remaining in first.[54] It was dethroned by newcomer The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in its third weekend, though it continued to hold well, grossing $31.7 million.[55]
In Japan, the film becoming the highest-grossing foreign film of 2026
in terms of box office revenue attendance on its first day of release.[56]
Critical response
Metacritic review breakdown (unweighted)
Positive
54 (90%)
Mixed
5 (8%)
Negative
1 (2%)
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes,
94% of 387 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus
reads: "A visually dazzling space odyssey that's carried along
effortlessly by the gravitational pull of Ryan Gosling at his most
winning, Project Hail Mary is a near-miraculous fusion of smarts and heart."[57]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 60 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[58] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[59]
G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle
deemed it "a masterpiece of a family popcorn movie, with eye-popping
hand-crafted production design and outstanding creature design and
puppetry work."[60] In a three-and-a half out of five rating, Randy Myers of San Jose Mercury News
said, "While you can't help but marvel at the visuals and applaud the
commitment of Gosling's endearing performance, what also makes Project Hail Mary so gosh darn lovable is that it imbues us with child-like wonder from scenes that pay homage to such classics as E.T., Flight of the Navigator and, yes, Rocky."[61]
Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph
concluded in his review, "Does it have many original ideas of its own?
Perhaps not. But its greatest hits mixtape of other people's has been
compiled with such flair – as well as a sound comprehension of why they
worked so well the first time – that it's hard not to be swept up
regardless."[62] Barry Hertz of The Globe and Mail shared a similar opinion, writing, "At almost every turn, Project Hail Mary
attempts to convince you that it is groundbreaking, innovative
filmmaking. But in actuality, the movie lands as a grand act of
cinematic recycling – the fusing together of familiar, comforting bits
and pieces into something determined to please crowds and warm hearts."[63]
Amy Nicholson of The Los Angeles Times wrote, "While Stanley Kubrick's unsentimental 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired the iPad, Lord and Miller want to inspire a better version of us."[64] Brian Truitt of USA Today gave the film a four out of four rating, stating that "Project Hail Mary is one of those old-school popcorn movies with big ideas, the kind of film that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas would have made back in the day and kids of all ages would have obsessed over and bought the toys."[65] Ryan Cooper of The American Prospect
wrote that the film portrayed a "shockingly realistic view of heroism"
and was "one of the rare films that is quite a bit better than the
book."[66]
Peter Bradshaw wrote in The Guardian:
"Gosling is an effortlessly charming screen player, and he keeps it
watchable, though the film itself has moments of dullness and a sort of
puppyish silliness... Perhaps refreshingly, the film doesn't aim for the
stunned awe and rapture of, say, Christopher Nolan's Interstellar or even Jon Spaihts' underrated Passengers,
but it does have the classic sci-fi spacecraft tropes: the huge,
mysterious architecture with its vertiginous tunnels in which legacy pop
music is played to soothe the inhabitants."[67]Grand Valley State University anthropology professor Deana Weibel praised Grace's intellectual humility in the film.[68]
Nicholas Barber of BBC
named it one of the best films of 2026 and wrote: "Project Hail Mary is
an unusual science-fiction blockbuster in that it's mostly about people
using their brains to solve problems [...] Does that approach sound a
bit dry and academic? If so, rest assured that Project Hail Mary is
touching and inspiring – and surprisingly fun [...] it's directed by
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who take a complicated, potentially
bleak narrative and make it as fast-paced and cheerful as their animated
hit The Lego Movie.
Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling brings all of his goofball charm to the role of
an amnesiac biologist who is trying to save the world."[69]
On the Case with Paula Zahn is a true crime documentary series that premiered its 29th season on April 15, 2026. The show is hosted by veteran journalist Paula Zahn and focuses on in-depth investigations of criminal cases.
Episode Details
First Episode
Title: Edge of the Abyss
Air Date: April 15, 2026
Synopsis:
This episode investigates the disappearance of a young woman,
highlighting the clues discovered in her car that may lead to solving
the case.
Series Format
The series features:
Interviews with law enforcement officials
Insights from families of victims
Perspectives from convicted individuals
First-time TV interviews with key figures involved in the cases
The program aims to provide a comprehensive look at the complexities of criminal investigations, making it a staple for true crime enthusiasts.
Shelter is a 2026 action thriller film starring Jason Statham
as a former British government assassin living in isolation off the
coast of Scotland who is forced back into violent confrontation with his
past while protecting a young girl from the agency determined to
eliminate him. It is directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Ward Parry. The film also stars Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Bill Nighy, Naomi Ackie, and Daniel Mays.
Shelter premiered at the Cineworld Leicester Square in London on January 20, 2026, and was released in the United Kingdom and United States by Black Bear Pictures
on January 30, 2026. The film received mixed reviews from critics and
grossed $53.1 million against a $50 million production budget.
Plot
Former government assassin Michael Mason lives on an island in the Outer Hebrides off the coast of Scotland
with his dog. Every week, Michael receives supplies from Jessie, a
young girl grieving the loss of her mother. However, Jessie grows
increasingly frustrated by Michaels' lack of respect and reclusiveness,
given that her mother and uncle knew Mason but didn't tell her before
her mother passed away.
A severe storm caused Jessie's uncle to leave; Jessie tries to
catch up, but she falls overboard and sprains and lacerates her ankle
before Mason saves her, leaving her marooned on the island after the
storm capsized her uncle's boat, drowning him. Mason takes care of her,
and while she recovers, they bond. Michael goes to the mainland to buy
new clothes and medicine, but he accidentally attracts the attention of
his former handler and MI6 Chief,
Manafort, and his assistant and acting MI6 chief, Roberta, and the
agency send a hit squad to eliminate Mason after he went rogue and
leaked MI6's advanced surveillance system, THEA (Total Human Engagement
Analytics) to asset and eliminate any threat to the country and refusing
to kill a defecting foreign intelligence officer. In addition, Mason
was an ex-operative of the Black Kites, an elite black-ops government kill team from MI6.
Michael kills the entire team using various booby traps he set up
on the island and escapes with Jessie to a Scottish farm, where the
farmer, Angus, greets them. In response Manafort sends in his lead
assassin of Black Kite, Jack Workman, to kill Michael and Jessie to tie
up loose ends. Angus's son Callum calls the police; Workman intercepts
the call and kills Angus. Michael and Workman engage in a car chase
before escaping from the authorities.
Michael and Jessie meet Michael's computer programmer and creator
of THEA, Arthur Booth, and ask him for a safe passage for Jessie to
escape to Spain, so he suggests Kamal, a human trafficker,
before Workman attacks the safehouse, forcing Michael, Jessie, and
Booth to escape. Soon after, Mason and Jessie go to a nightclub to seek
shelter and to get Kamal to arrange a safe passage for Jessie. However,
Manafort's Black Kite agents raid the club, but Mason kills them all and
rescues Jessie, sending her on a boat to Spain before he is ambushed by
Workman. Michael and Workman engage in close combat before Michael
overpowers Workman and kills him.
Michael then goes to Manafort's private estate, killing his
guards, and confronts Manafort. Manafort berates Michael for breaking
the most important rule in Black Kites: loyalty, and that Michael broke
the rule. Michael responds that finding his humanity after a life of
obedience is why he is still alive before he shoots and kills Manafort.
Three months later, Roberta becomes head of MI6, and knows that,
though they no longer want to kill Mason, they will still attempt
non-lethal ways to recruit him back into the agency. Meanwhile, in Ronda,
Jessie sits in a café and receives a chess piece from Mason, who
overlooks her from a window. He leaves just as she turns around, and,
knowing that Mason will protect her if his former agency returns and
that he will always be with her.
Cast
Jason Statham as Michael Mason, a former government assassin
Shelter had its world premiere at the Cineworld Leicester Square in London on January 20, 2026,[9] and was released in the United States on January 30, 2026.[8]
Reception
Box office
In the United States and Canada, Shelter was released alongside Send Help, Iron Lung, and Melania.[2] It grossed $5M from 2,726 theatres.[3]
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes,
65% of 119 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus
reads: "Classing up an overdone premise with professional execution, Shelter is highly derivative of previous Jason Statham vehicles but lean and mean enough to forgive the recycled tropes."[10]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 50 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11][12] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[13]
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