Carl Roberts 
To mark the release of Project Hail Mary, IMAX, Amazon, MGM Studios, and Sony Pictures Releasing UK have taken cinema out of this world. As a result, the film is the first to premiere in the stratosphere!
To celebrate the launch of Project Hail Mary, Amazon MGM Studios, and Sony Pictures Releasing UK announced something special. Following its World Premiere in London, the highly anticipated film has achieved its “Out-Of-This-World Premiere”.
Arriving in IMAX and cinemas across the world on March 19, 2026, Project Hail Mary has been filmed specifically for IMAX, delivering a cinematic experience unlike any other. Audiences will feel the vastness of space, the wonder of scientific discovery, and the intimacy of human connection – presented on the largest possible canvas.IMAX immerses viewers in both the isolation of deep space and the urgent race against time to save Earth.
THE PREMISE
In Project Hail Mary, science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship light-years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.
We loved the film. In my review, I said about the film:
“Project Hail Mary is one of the finest films we’ve seen for a long time. With heart, charm, fun, drama, and comedy, the film is Project Wow! Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have delivered a masterpiece of filmmaking. With Drew Goddard’s script and their own desire to make something extraordinary, they have achieved what could already be a leading Oscar contender for next year.
The heart the film has beating under its chest, the emotion it contains, the fun there is to be had, and the comedic aspects of the relationship between Grace and Rocky all combine into something that needs to be seen to be believed. No, scratch that. It needs to be seen to be experienced, for that is what the film is: an experience, akin to lightning in a bottle. You’ve caught it once; you may catch it again. But it is almost impossible to catch again.”
Photo credit: Jonathan Olley © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A GROUNDBREAKING PREMIERE MOMENT
Sony Pictures Releasing UK partnered with IMAX and with stratospheric launch specialists Sent Into Space Ltd. to create a truly groundbreaking premiere moment. A bespoke IMAX display unit, designed specifically to showcase content in IMAX’s exclusive 1.43:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio (EAR), launched into the stratosphere.
After an hour-long ascent, the display reached an extraordinary peak altitude of approximately 110,000 feet above Earth, where it executed a full content play-through. The Space Ops team at Sent Into Space enabled extended time at peak altitude, ensuring the complete presentation could unfold against the incredible backdrop of Earth’s curvature and the blackness of space.
THE FEATURED FOOTAGE
This orbital premiere featured footage from the World Premiere in London and a special “Filmed For IMAX” featurette. Additionally, it included the Project Hail Mary trailer presented in IMAX’s 1.43:1 EAR. It also included IMAX poster artwork from around the world.
The initiative underscores the film’s incredible scale and the out-of-this-world view you get with IMAX. Clearly, it proves there’s no bigger experience than IMAX. Directed by Academy Award winners Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Lego Movie), PROJECT HAIL MARY stars three-time Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling (La La Land, Barbie). It also stars Academy Award nominee Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest). James Ortiz (The Woodsman) also stars in the film.
Ken Leung (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Milana Vayntrub (Werewolves Within), Lionel Boyce (‘The Bear’), and Priya Kansara (‘Bridgerton’) round out the cast.
BEHIND THE FILM
With a screenplay by Academy Award nominee Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods, The Martian), the film is based on the novel by Andy Weir (The Martian, Artemis). Therefore, the film is produced by Gosling along with Academy Award nominee Amy Pascal (Little Women, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse). Lord and Miller are also producers. Additionally, Aditya Sood (The Martian, Cocaine Bear) and Rachel O’Connor (Challengers, Spider-Man: Brand New Day), as well as Weir, join the production team. Nikki Baida (Strays), Sara Esberg (Moonlight), Ken Kao (The Nice Guys), Lucy Kitada (Borderlands), Patricia Whitcher (Marvel’s The Avengers), and Goddard are executive producers.
Joining Lord and Miller behind the camera are Academy Award-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser (Dune, The Batman) and production designer Charles Wood (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Endgame). Additionally, costume designers David Crossman and Glyn Dillon (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story) and film editor Joel Negron (Thor: Ragnarok, The Nice Guys) are part of the team. Academy Award nominee Daniel Pemberton (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Trial of the Chicago 7) is the film’s composer.
FILMED FOR IMAX
Project Hail Mary was Filmed For IMAX. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller worked closely with IMAX throughout the filmmaking process. They tailored the film to the unique scope and scale of The IMAX Experience. From early camera tests all the way through post-production, they made specific creative and technical decisions. These steps helped deliver a movie that is meant to be seen in IMAX. It features nearly two hours of Expanded Aspect Ratio. As a result, IMAX audiences get more picture, scale, and immersion than anywhere else.
Project Hail Mary was shot with IMAX-certified digital cameras. They captured the film’s deep-space environments, intense survival stakes, and cinematic spectacle with exceptional sharpness, clarity, and scale. IMAX is the world’s most immersive movie experience. IMAX cinemas immerse viewers in action with their large screens and stunningly lifelike visuals. The heart-pounding precision audio and uniquely designed auditoriums create an unforgettable experience. All expertly crafted to pull fans right into the heart of the movie.
SELECT SCREENINGS
Select screenings in IMAX 70mm Film deliver the signature look and texture of IMAX Film. In these locations, as well as select IMAX with Laser cinemas, these key sequences will expand to IMAX’s towering 1.43:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio. This delivers the largest image area available in the world. Additionally, IMAX’s 1,800+ cinemas worldwide are calibrated daily. As a result, they deliver perfectly tuned sound and images to fans at all times.
IMAGES
Project Hail Mary is now in cinemas worldwide.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
