A real-life astronaut has offered his verdict on Project Hail Mary after watching the Ryan Gosling-led film shortly before embarking on a historic space mission.

The science fiction film, released on March 20, arrived just days ahead of the Artemis II launch on April 1, creating a rare overlap between cinematic storytelling and real-world space exploration. The timing allowed members of the Artemis II crew to view the film before departing Earth.

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen confirmed that the team watched the film during their quarantine period, describing the experience as a meaningful prelude to their own journey into space. He said, “We got to watch Project Hail Mary when we were in quarantine. That was a real treat that they sent us a link to view that at home with our families, getting us ready to go on our own space adventure.”

“Art imitates science and vice versa,” Hansen added, during a live televised media call arranged by the Canadian Space Agency. “I thought it was just such an inspirational example – somebody who goes out there and just gets what was done to save humanity. It’s a pretty extraordinary example that we can all follow.”

The film is based on the novel by Andy Weir and follows a secondary school science teacher drawn into a classified international mission to address a global crisis. The story centres on his awakening aboard a spacecraft with limited memory and a one-way assignment to save humanity, alongside an unexpected ally.

Ryan Gosling takes on the lead role, presenting a markedly different on-screen appearance as he portrays the reluctant astronaut. His performance arrives amid growing public interest in space-themed narratives, fuelled by renewed global attention on lunar missions.

Ahead of the launch, Gosling also sent a pre-recorded message to the Artemis II crew, offering words of support before their departure.