The actor made the remark during a press event in Paris while promoting his latest science-fiction film, Project Hail Mary, part of an international publicity tour ahead of the movie’s global release.
A sci-fi mission with cosmic stakes
In Project Hail Mary, Gosling portrays a science teacher who awakens alone aboard a spacecraft with little memory of how he got there. As the story unfolds, he learns that he has been sent on a mission to save Earth from a mysterious phenomenon dimming the sun.
The character soon discovers he is not entirely alone: he forms an unlikely alliance with an alien companion he names Rocky. Together, the pair must find a way to prevent the collapse of life on Earth.
The film is adapted from the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, author of The Martian, which was previously turned into the acclaimed 2015 film The Martian starring Matt Damon. Gosling also co-produced the new project through a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
Hollywood’s changing landscape
The film arrives at a challenging moment for Hollywood. Production has increasingly shifted away from California to other locations offering tax incentives, while streaming platforms continue to reshape viewing habits and erode traditional theatrical revenues.
In response, studios have relied heavily on bankable stars and high-concept projects to lure audiences back into cinemas.
Gosling, widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading men, has delivered standout performances in films such as Barbie, Blade Runner 2049 and La La Land. However, not all recent releases have been equally successful. The 2024 action comedy The Fall Guy underperformed at the box office, while the 2022 streaming thriller The Gray Man drew large viewing numbers on Netflix but received mixed critical reviews.
Blending drama and comedy
Project Hail Mary places Gosling at the center of the story for much of its runtime, requiring him to carry the narrative largely alone onscreen—aside from the visual-effects-driven alien character Rocky.
The actor said he was initially intimidated by the challenge but drawn to the optimistic perspective in Weir’s storytelling. According to Gosling, the story encourages audiences to face fear with curiosity rather than dread.
He also described the film as a dramatic comedy that he hopes will resonate with younger viewers, including his own children.
A career evolving after three decades
Reflecting on a career that spans more than 30 years, Gosling noted that early in his career he gravitated toward serious independent films where humour was rarely encouraged. Over time, however, he has embraced a wider creative range — something audiences saw prominently in his comedic turn in Barbie.
Filmmaker Christopher Miller, who co-directed Project Hail Mary with longtime collaborator Phil Lord, praised Gosling’s ability to balance emotion and humour in the film.
According to Miller, few actors can convincingly make audiences laugh and cry within the same moment — a skill he believes Gosling brings naturally to the role.
As Hollywood searches for ways to reinvigorate cinema attendance, projects like Project Hail Mary — driven by well-known stars and big-screen spectacle — may offer a glimpse of how studios hope to keep the theatrical experience alive.