Premiere of “Project Hail Mary” Raises Eyebrows Amid Extreme Weather

These bone-chilling 30-degree temperatures in New York, contrasted with the scorching 85-degree weather in Los Angeles, made hosting the world premiere of “Project Hail Mary” at Lincoln Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side seem a bit questionable.

Attendees at the New York premiere reported that the film was well-received, even with its lengthy 156-minute runtime. Still, the event itself seemed a bit disjointed, as the red carpet was held at Josie Robertson Plaza, which is quite a hike from the actual theater.

Sources indicated that the event was delayed by an hour to allow stars to make the trek from the carpet to the theater.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, a less-than-stellar press screening took place at IMAX’s Playa Vista headquarters. This event showcased the film based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novels and starring Ryan Gosling.

On the topic of the new project from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, showrunner Bill Lawrence—known for “Scrubs,” “Spin City,” “Ted Lasso,” and “The Shrinking”—was present, causing a bit of disruption with various reporters in attendance.

Lawrence even shared some tips on scoring snacks in the office since there aren’t any provided during the show. Some audience members attempted to find what they thought were snacks but hesitated upon seeing an “Employees Only” sign guarding the break room.

Former “SNL” stars made an appearance at the LA screening. Taran Killam, sporting a muscular beard from his current series “Stumble,” was there alongside Scott Feinberg, who provides insights into the commercial and awards season outlook for this sci-fi film about Gosling’s character, a lone scientist aiming to save the world.

After some disappointing outcomes with “Crime 101,” Amazon/MGM Studios leadership is optimistic about “Project Hail Mary.” Tracking estimates suggest the film could gross between $70 million and $78 million during its opening weekend, and it currently enjoys a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite these promising numbers, there’s uncertainty regarding its chances for an Oscar nod—even though Gosling has garnered critical praise, and the film’s technical qualities are impressive. Sources mentioned that Amazon/MGM hopes “Sinners,” which won four awards, including Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay, will serve as a sort of model for success.