Variety reports that Phil Lord and Chris Miller have signed on to direct an upcoming film based on the latest novel from author Andy Weir (The Martian) which will see Ryan Gosling (Blade Runner 2049) playing an astronaut. The pair will produce alongside Amy Pascal who they worked with on Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse that earned an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.
The project is based on Andy Weir’s unpublished next novel. It is untitled but had been referred to as Project Hail Mary at some point.
A solitary tale of an astronaut on a space ship who is tasked with saving the planet.
Lord and Miller are likely best known for being removed as the directors of Solo: A Star Wars Story along with 21 Jump Street and The Lego Movie.
A screenwriter wasn’t mentioned in the report.
Weir’s novel The Martian was turned into a feature film by Ridley Scott and screenwriter Drew Goddard with Matt Damon starring as Mark Watney, who is abandoned on Mars when it’s thought he was killed. The survival sci-fi comedy landed a string of Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
THE MARTIAN – When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.
