Ryan Gosling says he relied on experts to handle complex science in new film

Ryan Gosling used an earpiece to get help with difficult equations while filming

Ryan Gosling has opened up about the challenges of tackling complex scientific material in his latest film, admitting he couldn’t fully grasp the intricate concepts required for his role.

During a recent interview, Gosling explained that the film placed a strong emphasis on scientific accuracy, making it difficult for him to simply “fake” the technical aspects. He revealed that even scenes involving writing equations on a whiteboard required real, functioning calculations rather than random numbers.

To ensure authenticity, Gosling leaned heavily on the book’s author, Andy Weir, who was present on set to guide him through the more complicated sequences. The actor said memorizing the detailed equations proved especially challenging, leading him to find a creative workaround.

Ryan Gosling tells us that he couldn’t learn any of the science for ‘PROJECT HAIL MARY’.

“There were sequences where I was drawing on a whiteboard and I’m supposed to be working out complex space math problems. Andy wanted it to be actual functioning space math…” pic.twitter.com/2ntfPIBCUd

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 22, 2026

Gosling shared that he used an earpiece during filming so Weir could feed him the correct equations in real time while he performed the scenes. “He was literally in my head,” Gosling joked, adding that the author was “the wind beneath my wings” as he navigated the demanding material.

Despite the difficulty, Gosling’s comments highlight the production’s commitment to realism and the collaborative effort behind bringing scientifically grounded storytelling to the screen.