Ryan Gosling, the three-time Oscar nominee, recently shared insights into his challenging yet rewarding experience filming "Project Hail Mary," based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel. In an interview with Collider's Steve Weintraub, Gosling discussed the unique isolation of shooting for 100 days across what he called a "six-year journey" for the film, which keeps its cameras predominantly focused on him. He lightheartedly quipped about the extensive screen time, stating, "It's a lot of me. It's more me than I need, than you need, than any of us need."

Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," the movie casts Gosling as Ryland Grace, a middle school teacher with a doctorate in molecular biology. Grace is recruited for a crucial mission to save Earth as the sun faces imminent demise, becoming humanity's "Hail Mary." His perilous journey takes him light-years from home aboard a spaceship, where he encounters his alien mission companion, Rocky (James Ortiz). The ensemble cast also includes Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt, Ken Leung, Lionel Boyce, and Milana Vayntrub.

A standout aspect of the production, according to Gosling, was the unexpected contribution of Sandra Hüller. Describing her as a "quadruple threat," Gosling recounted how Hüller's impromptu singing became one of the film's most memorable moments. He overheard her singing a Harry Styles song down the hall from their dressing rooms and convinced her to incorporate it into a planned karaoke scene. Her performance was so impactful that it ended up being featured in all the trailers and became the "anthem of the film," a testament to the serendipitous magic of working with Hüller.

The intense solitude of filming led to another unusual but heartwarming anecdote. Gosling revealed that at one point, feeling profoundly lonely during the 100 days of solo shooting, he expressed his need for companionship to the directors. Lord and Miller promptly responded by building him a "mop person" they affectionately named "Moppy Ringwald" using duct tape and a mop. Gosling spent an entire day dancing and laughing with his new "partner," an experience that ultimately made its way into the final cut of the movie, highlighting the directors' willingness to embrace unconventional solutions for their star's well-being and the film's unique spirit.

Beyond the immediate production, Gosling also offered personal reflections, including a childhood encounter that shaped his approach to fan interactions. He shared a story from when he was twelve, asking Angela Bassett and Sinbad for their autographs after being deeply moved by Bassett's performance in "What's Love Got to Do With It." Their kindness in that moment set a high bar for how he now treats his own fans. He also divulged his favorite films from iconic directors: Christopher Nolan's "Insomnia," praising Al Pacino's performance, and Steven Spielberg's "E.T.," with an honorable mention for "Duel," which he considers a "film school" in its cinematic perfection.

Finally, Gosling briefly teased Shawn Levy's highly anticipated "Star Wars: Starfighter," describing it as having a "great story," "amazing characters," and an "epic journey." He lauded Levy's infectious enthusiasm and deep passion for the project, suggesting it felt like the director had been working his whole life to make such a film. While careful not to reveal too much, Gosling expressed confidence that audiences would not be disappointed. "Project Hail Mary" is set to premiere in theaters and IMAX on March 20.