Ryan Gosling Explores Real Science Behind ‘Project Hail Mary’

Ryan Gosling Explores Real Science Behind ‘Project Hail Mary’

In a fascinating conversation, actor Ryan Gosling, star of the upcoming film ‘Project Hail Mary,’ sat down with an astrophysicist to discuss the science behind the movie. The chat offered a unique glimpse into how Hollywood tackles complex scientific concepts and the actor’s preparation for his role.

Bringing Science to the Screen

Gosling plays Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut on a desperate mission to save Earth. The film, based on Andy Weir’s novel, dives deep into astrophysics, biology, and orbital mechanics. Gosling admitted he didn’t aim to become an expert in these fields for the role. Instead, he embraced the character’s own journey of discovery.

“I didn’t know who I was or what I was doing,” Gosling explained, referring to his character’s amnesia at the start of the film. “I put the ‘not an astronaut’ and I’m bad at space.” He felt this lack of prior knowledge mirrored the audience’s potential unfamiliarity with the science, allowing him to learn alongside the viewers.

Mastering the ‘Squeezy Thing’ and Fake Math

The conversation touched upon the practical challenges of portraying scientific tasks. While actors in medical dramas might learn to perform fake surgery, Gosling found his preparation focused more on the character’s confusion. He humorously recalled being guided on set with a pipette, referring to it as the “little squeezy thing.”

A particularly intriguing aspect was the film’s use of what Gosling called “fake space math.” He revealed that author Andy Weir insisted the fictional equations used in the movie be scientifically accurate. “It was very important to Andy that the fake space math be real,” Gosling stated.

Memorizing these complex formulas, especially for whiteboard scenes, proved challenging. Gosling relied on an earpiece during filming, with someone calling out the formulas to ensure accuracy for Weir and the scientific team. This dedication highlights the film’s commitment to scientific authenticity.

Time Dilation and the Speed of Light

The astrophysicist brought up a key concept from the film: relativity and time dilation. Gosling acknowledged that explaining these complex ideas, like how space and time are relative and depend on speed, is a challenge.

The discussion also clarified a common misconception. When asked if a dimming star affects the speed of light, the astrophysicist confirmed that it does not. The speed of light is a universal constant, a fundamental principle in physics.

The ‘WTF’ Star and Jupiter’s Protective Role

Gosling inquired about the “WTF star,” which the astrophysicist clarified stands for “Where’s the Flux.” This star has experienced a dramatic dimming, dropping about 22% in brightness over recent years. While the exact cause is unknown, theories include alien megastructures or, more likely, vast amounts of dust.

This led to a discussion about favorite celestial bodies. Gosling expressed a newfound admiration for Jupiter, noting its role in protecting the inner solar system. “It kind of like hoovers them up a little bit,” he said, referring to Jupiter’s gravitational pull capturing asteroids and comets.

The astrophysicist, in turn, confessed a fondness for Saturn, calling it “beautiful.” This shared appreciation for the wonders of space underscores the film’s underlying themes of cosmic curiosity.

The Search for Extraterrestrial Life

The conversation naturally turned to the existence of aliens. Gosling expressed a personal belief that life likely exists elsewhere in the universe. “It makes more sense to me than nothing,” he stated, reflecting a common sentiment among scientists and the public.

Both Gosling and the astrophysicist agreed that the current scientific conversation has shifted from ‘if’ aliens exist to ‘when’ and ‘where’ we might find them. This evolving perspective makes ‘Project Hail Mary’ particularly timely, exploring a more grounded and scientifically plausible approach to first contact.

The film’s depiction of encountering alien life, starting with something as simple as algae rather than stereotypical “little green men,” is seen as a more realistic possibility. The challenges of communication and interaction, as portrayed in the movie, highlight the vast unknowns of space exploration.

A Shared Passion for Space

Gosling shared his lifelong fascination with space, stemming from childhood curiosity. He sees his work in films like ‘Project Hail Mary’ as an opportunity to continually learn and explore these cosmic mysteries.

He fondly recalled visits to NASA, interactions with astronauts, and even help from physicist Brian Cox on set. These experiences fuel his passion and his desire to understand the universe better, even if complete comprehension remains elusive.

The conversation concluded with mutual appreciation, with Gosling thanking the astrophysicist for “discovering the mysteries of the universe” and the astrophysicist expressing gratitude to Gosling for bringing the story to life. The film and its accompanying book are highly recommended for their blend of thrilling storytelling and scientific accuracy.

Source: Ryan Gosling chats to an astrophysicist | Project Hail Mary (YouTube)