He can count among his colorful roster of characters quirky loners, crack-addicted history professors, the first man on the moon and, most recently, Mattel’s ever-popular Ken Doll.
But Ryan Gosling looked comparatively subdued as he filmed his latest project in rainy conditions at South Parade Pier in Southsea on Sunday.
The American actor, 43, braved the elements in a yellow raincoat while filming scenes with a co-star in the Hampshire seaside town.
Ryan plays bookish schoolteacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace in the upcoming sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, adapted from author Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name.
Dressed in his character’s striped shirt, maroon tie and circular glasses, the actor appeared relaxed as he interacted with members of the production team between takes.
Ryan Gosling chatted to a co-star while filming The Hail Mary Project in rainy conditions at South Parade Pier in Southsea on Sunday.
The Barbie actress braved the elements in a yellow raincoat for the stormy seaside scenes.
He was later seen holding a phone while listening to something through a pair of wired headphones.
His appearance caused quite a stir among locals, as dozens of movie trucks and minibuses were parked nearby and people flocked to the location to try to catch a glimpse of the actor.
His starring role and producer title for the film has been in talks for over four years and follows the adaptation of Weir’s previous novel, The Martian.
That book was adapted into the critically and commercially successful film starring Matt Damon, which grossed $630 million, according to box office mojo.
The film’s synopsis on IMDB reads: ‘Set in the near future, it centers on high school teacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace (played by Ryan), who wakes up from a coma stricken with amnesia.
“He slowly remembers that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light years from Earth, to find a way to reverse a solar dimming event that could cause the extinction of humanity.”
The Hail Mary project will reportedly launch on May 20, 2026.
MGM acquired the new project in what is reportedly a seven-figure deal, and it is understood that Ryan will produce it with Ken Kao.
She layered the colorful garment over a blue and white striped shirt and a brown tweed jacket.
Adding another pop of color, Ryan finished his look with a burgundy tie and accessorized it with a pair of circular glasses.
In the scenes, Ryan is seen holding a phone while listening to something through a pair of wired headphones. He was then seen hugging his co-star, who has not yet been identified.
The film, about an astronaut tasked with saving the Earth, is written by Andy Weir, whose novel The Martian was a hit for Matt Damon; shown with Damien Chazelle in 2018
Project Hail Mary should be right in Ryan’s wheelhouse, as he previously played a lonely, brooding version of Neil Armstrong in the biopic First Man.
Although the film was a success among critics, who praised him for his performance, the public did not turn out in droves.
Just before that, the La La Land star directed the ambitious sequel Blade Runner 2049, which was praised by critics for its stunning visuals and quietly emotional performance.
But the film failed to recoup its budget, possibly due to its long running time and the fact that the 1982 original starring Harrison Ford was a box office failure, even if it is now considered a cult classic.
Ryan’s only other film since the Oscar-winning hit La La Land was the divisive art drama Song To Song, in which he starred alongside Rooney Mara and Michael Fassbender for legendary auteur Terrence Malick.
The film will likely be in Ryan’s wheelhouse, as he previously played the lonely and brooding Neil Armstrong in 2018’s First Man (pictured in First Man).
Ryan’s producing turn with Project Hail Mary will be his first attempt at leading a production since his ill-fated 2014 directorial debut, Lost River, which currently has a 30 percent rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Project Hail Mary will likely be Andy Weir’s third high-profile adaptation.
The directing duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, best known for directing The Lego Movie, are currently working on an adaptation of their 2017 follow-up to The Martian, the science fiction novel Artemis.
Deadline reported in November that his production company is also developing an original idea by the scribe, as well as a graphic novel.
