While Andy Weir’s renowned 2011 debut novel, , had a title hinting at extraterrestrial life, that solitary astronaut story focused on humanity—specifically, the urgent effort to rescue Mark Watney. However, Weir’s 2021 novel, Project Hail Mary, which also centered on a lone astronaut, Ryland Grace, accomplished something notoriously difficult for hard science fiction: delivering a straight-up alien that we genuinely love and believe in. This extraterrestrial is a major spoiler for Project Hail Mary, so be advised if you haven’t read the book: the new, epic trailer for the film adaptation has fully revealed the beloved alien that makes this story exceptional. Spoilers ahead!
In advance of the 2026 Super Bowl, directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, along with Amazon MGM Studios, unveiled the final trailer for Project Hail Mary, introducing Rocky, the alien who makes Ryland Grace’s (Ryan Gosling) journey extraordinary.
Final Project Hail Mary Trailer Reveals Rocky
In contrast to earlier previews for Project Hail Mary, this new trailer explicitly details that Ryland Grace is not only on a quest to rescue humanity, but also encounters another cosmic traveler, an alien that he knicknames Rocky, about one third into the book. In the novel, Rocky is a stone-like being who uses musical tones to communicate, and Ryland must decipher this language to save both Earth and Rocky’s homeworld.
Why Rocky Could Be the Best Sci-Fi Movie Alien in Years
Portrayed by voice actor James Ortiz, Rocky is an extraterrestrial astronaut from the 40 Eridani system who, similar to Ryland Grace, has been dispatched to investigate why multiple stars are losing energy to a microscopic organism known as Astrophage. Like Ryland, Rocky is solitary and has traveled to the star to determine why, among all neighboring stars, this particular one remains immune to Astrophage.
What makes Rocky so compelling in the novel is the endearing manner in which he and Ryland establish a connection and forge a bond throughout their voyage. An initial shocking encounter evolves into a profound interspecies friendship that stands nearly unmatched in modern science fiction.
Through Rocky, author Andy Weir crafted a character who is profoundly otherworldly, yet possesses all the traits that make audiences want to adore and champion him. The bond between Rocky and Ryland will likely be what makes Project Hail Mary an unforgettable film. This trailer provides ample evidence that the film will succeed in capturing this dynamic. For those who’ve read the book, the tone feels ideal, and Rocky may prove even more captivating onscreen than in print. (Gosling also appears ideally suited for the role of Ryland Grace.)
Could Project Hail Mary become regarded as one of the greatest films about alien-human friendship ever made? Based on this trailer, everything indicates a resounding yes.