What is “Project Hail Mary”?

Katie Jenny

Staff Writer

In 2011, computer scientist Andy Weir self-published his first book “The Martian.” Three years later, the novel was traditionally published by Crown Publishing group. “The Martian” was an enormous success and was adapted into a movie in 2015 with Matt Damon as the main character. The movie had box office and critical success, including Academy Award nominations for Best Picture. Weir would achieve success again with his third book; “Project Hail Mary,” which was released in 2021.

“Project Hail Mary” is a science fiction novel following science teacher Ryland Grace. The term “Hail Mary” refers to the spaceship in the novel, the main setting. The chapters of the book alternate between the present day and the past. In the present, Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of why he is there or where he is going. He also does not recognize the two dead crewmates that are on the spaceship with him. Throughout the story Grace will regain his memory and remember why he is on the spaceship and what his mission is. In the past chapters, Grace is a middle school science teacher. He learns that something is happening to dim the sun’s brightness and is hired to study material from the sun.

“Project Hail Mary” debuted at number three on The New York Times bestseller list. It has risen in popularity due to the anticipation of the movie release and is currently number two on the “Combined Print and E-Book Fiction” list on The New York Times.

The movie adaptation is set to release on March 20. It has been filmed for IMAX screens, so the viewers will be completely immersed in the space setting. Early reviews are already positive, with Rotten Tomatoes boasting a 96 percent average score from 115 ratings. Critic Tasha Robinson from Polygon praised it for staying true to the novel; “It’s everything fans of the book could want” and for its funny and emotional tone; “funny, strange, heartening, and completely satisfying.”

“Project Hail Mary” is expected to be a hit amongst fans of the novel and casual moviegoers. It will be showing in theaters across the United States and internationally.