Milana Vayntrub joins Ryan Gosling in upcoming film ‘Project Hail Mary’

Milana Vayntrub has officially joined the cast of Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming movie, Project Hail Mary. 

The announcement, made by Deadline, also reveals that she will star alongside Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller. The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, is based on the novel of the same name by Andy Weir, author of The Martian.

The screenplay for Project Hail Mary is penned by Drew Goddard. The production team includes Amy Pascal via Pascal Pictures, Ryan Gosling via General Admission, Lord, Miller, and Aditya Sood via Lord Miller, and Rachel O’Connor via Pascal Pictures. Andy Weir is also part of the production team.

Project Hail Mary tells the story of middle school science teacher Ryland Grace (played by Gosling) who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or how he got there. 

He must complete his mission to save Earth from an astronomical catastrophe, discovering along the way a mysterious alien who is on a similar mission to save its own species.

The movie will be shot in IMAX and is set for a wide theatrical release on March 20, 2026. The cinematography will be handled by Oscar-winning DP Greig Fraser, known for his work on Dune. Executive producers include Lucy Kitada and Nikki Baida via Lord Miller, Drew Goddard, Sarah Esberg, Ken Kao, and Patty Whitcher.

Vayntrub’s recent work includes starring alongside Kyra Sedgwick in the comedy Bad Shabbos, which premiered at this year’s Tribeca Festival and won the audience award.

She co-wrote, directed, and starred in the short film Pickled Herring, currently streaming on Omeleto, and launched the podcast Your Mom is a Podcast with comedian Sandeep Parikh.

Her acting credits include roles in Kevin Hart’s Die Hart, Paul Feig’s Other Space, HBO’s Silicon Valley, NBC’s This Is Us, Netflix’s Love, Showtime’s Californication, IFC Films’ Werewolves Within, Fox’s Ghostbusters, and Netflix’s A Futile & Stupid Gesture. She also voiced Squirrel Girl in Marvel Rising: Initiation.

Vayntrub, represented by Artists First, is well-known for her role as Lily in the AT&T ad campaign, having appeared in over 40 spots since 2013. 

She has also directed various national and regional commercials and written for Robot Chicken and CollegeHumor Originals.