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Project Hail Mary is a Huge Gamble by Amazon

Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:59 pm
Posted by RLDSC FAN
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member since Nov 2008
59535 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 12:59 pm


quote:

Rarely has a film’s title so aptly matched its commercial aspirations. Opening on March 20, Project Hail Mary is likely to define Amazon MGM Studios’ yearlong plunge into mainstream global theatrical distribution. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Into the Spider-Verse, 21 Jump Street) and starring Ryan Gosling as a high-school science teacher sent into space as the only hope to prevent an extinction-level calamity, the movie is the tech giant’s attempt to show the industry that it deserves to be embraced as a major theatrical player and can do what the legacy studios mostly can’t: launch a nearly $200 million-budgeted, non-franchise, sci-fi crowdpleaser toward actual commercial success. While not technically an original—its Drew Pearce–written screenplay is an adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling 2021 novel—PHM is the closest thing to a franchise-free, one-and-done global blockbuster that Hollywood has attempted since Tenet in 2020.

But what does success look like for such a film in 2026? Tenet, which grossed $366 million worldwide for Warner Bros., was kneecapped by Covid. Red One, Amazon’s own $250 million-plus Dwayne Johnson– and Chris Evans-starring holiday comedy, which was beset by miserable reviews and a shorter-than-hoped-for theatrical window, barely cracked $185 million worldwide in late 2024. And then there’s F1, the Apple-produced and WB-distributed Brad Pitt movie, which brought in a truly aspirational $630 million worldwide but was based on an iconic brand and I.P.

Posted by CBandits82
Lurker since May 2008
Member since May 2012
58795 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:03 pm to
quote:

Red One, Amazon’s own $250 million-plus
Posted by RLDSC FAN
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member since Nov 2008
59535 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:04 pm to
These budgets are just insane. There's gotta be some money laundering going on, right?
Posted by wareaglepete
Union of Soviet Auburn Republics
Member since Dec 2012
18024 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:06 pm to
I'm not sure about this movie. The previews have kind of turned me off. It doesn't look that good and it kind of gives me vibes of that horrible Adam Sandler Netflix space movie. Please tell me it will be better than the previews. I'm unsure if I will go see it at the threatre until I get some feedback.
Posted by RLDSC FAN
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member since Nov 2008
59535 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:08 pm to
I just picked up the book this past weekend. It was highly recommended by friends and coworkers. It's apparently an excellent story
Posted by Fewer Kilometers
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2007
38185 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:08 pm to
quote:

It doesn't look that good and it kind of gives me vibes of that horrible Adam Sandler Netflix space movie.
Good Lord, are you way off.
Posted by wareaglepete
Union of Soviet Auburn Republics
Member since Dec 2012
18024 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:09 pm to
quote:

Good Lord, are you way off.


I hope so. Have you read the book? I have not.
Posted by jchamil
Member since Nov 2009
19194 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:13 pm to
quote:

I just picked up the book this past weekend. It was highly recommended by friends and coworkers. It's apparently an excellent story


I bought it in the airport going to a conference this weekend. I'm halfway through, and I've really enjoyed it so far.

I never saw the Adama Sandler movie referenced, but I don't get any Sandler vibes from the book. Yes, there are some attempts at humor but it's more like his other book The Martian.
Posted by LSUDonMCO
Orlando
Member since Dec 2003
8505 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:14 pm to
The book is excellent. If the script stays true to the book PHM will be very good.
Posted by BluegrassBelle
RIP Hefty Lefty - 1981-2019
Member since Nov 2010
107105 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:18 pm to
quote:

I'm not sure about this movie. The previews have kind of turned me off. It doesn't look that good and it kind of gives me vibes of that horrible Adam Sandler Netflix space movie. Please tell me it will be better than the previews. I'm unsure if I will go see it at the threatre until I get some feedback.


I haven't read the book but I honestly don't know anyone who has that didn't really like the story. I don't get that vibe at all from the trailers either.
Posted by Esquire
Chiraq
Member since Apr 2014
14539 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:21 pm to
quote:

I just picked up the book this past weekend. It was highly recommended by friends and coworkers. It's apparently an excellent story


It’s an excellent book and the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive and I expect WOM to help this one out. Everybody should plan to see it in IMAX because all the space scenes were shot for the bigger screen.
Posted by TouchedTheAxeIn82
near the Apple spaceship
Member since Nov 2012
7143 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:21 pm to
quote:

Please tell me it will be better than the previews.

The movie has already been screened for critics (which is very early, indicating confidence), and they seem to love it. Some already think it's going to get a best picture nomination. The story itself is great. The movie is playing up the "crowd-pleasing" aspects of the story and is dialing up the humor. It's going to be a hit, but that budget (plus the tons of marketing that's going into it) is going to make it hard to become profitable unless it's a big hit internationally as well.
This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 1:24 pm
Posted by Fewer Kilometers
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2007
38185 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:22 pm to
quote:

Good Lord, are you way off.
quote:

I hope so. Have you read the book? I have not.

I read the book then listened to the audio book. The trailers look spot-on. I really think that it'll be better received than The Martian.
Posted by metallica81788
NO
Member since Sep 2008
10264 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:24 pm to
Started the audiobook yesterday so need to finish and then watch while it's all fresh in my mind. So far, so good.
Posted by Locoguan0
St. George, LA
Member since Nov 2017
7261 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:24 pm to
My daughter read the book last year for school (AR). She is very excited about the movie; She said the trailer looks spot on.
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
128985 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:24 pm to
quote:

I'm not sure about this movie. The previews have kind of turned me off. It doesn't look that good and it kind of gives me vibes of that horrible Adam Sandler Netflix space movie. Please tell me it will be better than the previews. I'm unsure if I will go see it at the threatre until I get some feedback.



What in the frick are you smoking
Posted by Fun Bunch
New Orleans
Member since May 2008
128985 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:25 pm to
FYI the early screenings and test screenings have been universal raves. And not the fake paid shill kind, like actual good word of mouth
Posted by wareaglepete
Union of Soviet Auburn Republics
Member since Dec 2012
18024 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:27 pm to
quote:

What in the frick are you smoking


You've read the book?
Posted by RLDSC FAN
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Member since Nov 2008
59535 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:29 pm to
Yeah, I'm excited. I think it has a chance to do well, domestically, the international market will make or break it.
Posted by JW
Los Angeles
Member since Jul 2004
5233 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 1:31 pm to
ahhh ..... poor little startup they are. Gosling in space and very popular book combined with great reviews will make their money back and then a lot more. Especially if the Asian markets latch on.

I will say the studio is committed to making a wide range of projects, including the now rare 40-60 M budget. I worked with them last year and now here in BR. No complaints really.

It looks fantastic and am looking forward to it.


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