New York Times bestselling author Andy Weir seems to have a certain knack for writing page-turning, humanistic science fiction stories that are perfectly suited for being turned into Hollywood blockbusters.
His 2011 novel, “The Martian,” was wonderfully transformed into the Oscar-nominated blockbuster directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. Weir’s second book, 2017’s lunar heist tale called “Artemis,” is currently still in development with Disney-owned 20th Century Studios. But his latest novel, 2021’s “Project Hail Mary,” could be an even bigger Hollywood hit when the movie adaptation is released by Amazon MGM Studios on March 20, 2026, starring Ryan Gosling (“Drive,” “La La Land,” “First Man”).
“Project Hail Mary” will be directed by the dynamic filmmaking duo of Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (“The Lego Movie,” “The Spider-Verse Franchise”) from a Drew Goddard (“Cloverfield,” “Cabin in the Woods”) screenplay. It centers around Dr. Ryland Grace (Gosling), a middle-grade science teacher who becomes a reluctant astronaut and the sole survivor of a deep space mission to save Earth from a dimming sun.
Along the 11.9-light-year voyage to the Tau Ceti star system, he encounters a faceless rock-skinned alien he names Rocky, whose own homeworld is also in peril. Together, they must join forces to avoid a mutual calamity and unravel the cosmic mystery.
To enter the freebie sweepstakes for this special copy of “Project Hail Mary,” all you need to do is head over to our Facebook, Twitter, or BlueSky posts announcing the giveaway and leave a comment letting us know what you’re looking forward to most when the “Project Hail Mary” movie hits multiplexes in 2026.
All comments must be left by Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. ET to be counted for official entry, and each household can only enter once. Five winners will be chosen at random for one prize each from the entire pool of entrants across all three platforms. Winners will be announced Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. ET on Space.com’s Facebook, Twitter, and BlueSky page.
Please note that this sweepstakes is only available to US residents. The full terms and conditions of this giveaway can be found at the bottom of this article.
In addition to Gosling, who’s back in simulated space once more, Project Hail Mary’s cast also includes the talents of Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller (“Anatomy of a Fall”), Milana Vayntrub (“This Is Us,” “Werewolves Within”), Bastian Antonio Fuentes (“Jurassic World Dominion”), Isla McRae (“The Christmas Quest”), and James Wright (“How to Train A Princess”).
Good luck to all participants in our out-of-this-world literary sci-fi giveaway!
Full terms and conditions:
The sweepstakes opens at 5 pm ET on November 5, 2025, and closes at 2 pm ET on November 12, 2025. Late or incomplete entries will be disqualified. Open to all residents of the US (excluding residents of Rhode Island, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. military installations in foreign countries, or any other U.S. territory where prohibited or restricted by law) aged 18 years and over, except employees of Future Plc and its group of companies (“Future”) and Ballantine Books (“Sponsor”).
Entries limited to one per household, regardless of the form of entry. Use of automated devices or methods of submission are not valid forms of entry. There will be five winners in total entitled to one copy each of the “Project Hail Mary” novel. The winner will be randomly drawn from all valid entries received and shall be notified by Future by a social media post within 28 days of the closing date, and will be required to supply details of a US delivery address.
If a winner has not responded after 28 days, an alternative winner will be drawn. Ballantine Books will deliver the prize. Future and Sponsor reserve the right to substitute any product with an alternative product of equivalent value. The prize is non-transferable and non-refundable. There is no cash alternative. No purchase required. Void where prohibited. Any person winning $600 or more worth of prizes from a Sponsor in a calendar year will receive an IRS form 1099 after the end of the calendar year in which the prizes were awarded and copy of such form will be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The value of the prize may be taxable as income and each prize winner is solely responsible for any taxes, including, but not limited to all applicable federal, state, and local taxes that become due with respect to the value of the prize.
By taking part in this sweepstakes, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, the competition rules at: www.futureplc.com/competition-rules/ and collection of personal data in accordance with Future’s privacy policy at: https://www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy/.
