‘Project Hail Mary’ Book Returns to Top of Charts on Heels of Ryan Gosling Film Premiere

Ryan Gosling‘s star power is helping to propel a 2021 novel back to the top of the bestsellers chart.

Project Hail Mary has returned to number one on Amazon’s book charts, on the heels of Gosling’s film adaptation hitting theaters March 20. Written by Andy Weir, whose 2011 novel The Martian, was also adapted into a movie starring Matt Damon, Project Hail Mary follows the sole survivor of a suicide space mission, who must find a way to save the earth from a mysterious threat.

The book was an instant hit with readers and critics alike when it was first released and it was even named as a New York Times Readers Pick on its list of the “100 Best Books of the 21st Century.” Now, new fans are discovering the science fiction novel as Gosling’s press tour continues to promote his new film.

From publisher Ballantine Books, Project Hail Mary clocks in a 496 pages. Per a book description, the story follows Ryland Grace, who is the sole survivor on a “desperate, last-chance mission – and if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish.”

“His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him,” the synopsis continues. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.”

Gosling signed on for the film in 2020, with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller hired to write the screenplay. The film also stars Oscar-nominated actress Sandra Hüller. THR’s David Rooney praised the film in his review, saying it’s full of “infectious joy and wonder” and teasing that the “ending tugs the heartstrings in enormously satisfying ways.”

He also praises Gosling’s performance, saying the actor’s “easygoing charm makes him the ideal actor to mask anxiety and sorrow with throwaway humor, serving as a conduit for the story’s affecting contemplation of altruism and sacrifice.”

Project Hail Mary hits theaters nationwide March 20. Find tickets online at Fandango.com.