Say what you will about Amazon/MGM, but one thing is undeniable: they don’t skimp on the budgets. This is a studio with money to burn. Between the reported $200M price tag for “Masters of the Universe,” Michael B. Jordan’s $100M+ ‘Thomas Crown Affair,’ and other heftily priced projects, they have made it clear they’re willing to open their wallets in a big way.
The latest (and perhaps most eyebrow-raising) example is “Project Hail Mary.”
According to Variety, the Ryan Gosling–led sci-fi epic cost north of $150M to produce. That figure doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. If anything, it feels conservative. This is a heavily CGI-driven film, and those don’t come cheap in 2025 dollars. I’d wager the real number is closer to $175M by the time all is said and done.
Here’s why — the film’s production company, Hail Mary Leo Limited, reportedly invested approximately $160M USD for the 2024 shoot. Post-production isn’t included in that figure, and with the extensive visual effects involved, the final budget could easily approach $175M+ in costs.
At that level, you’re looking at a break-even point around $500M worldwide. That’s a massive bet for Amazon MGM. However, it’s not an irrational one. There’s been a steady buzz building around “Project Hail Mary,” which is based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel and stars Gosling as a lone astronaut tasked with saving humanity. A recently released trailer only amplified the buzz, with clear comparisons to “The Martian” — not just in premise, but in tone and overall feel.
That connection isn’t accidental. Drew Goddard, who earned an Oscar nomination for adapting Weir’s “The Martian,” penned the screenplay here as well. And behind the camera, Phil Lord and Chris Miller bring a track record that speaks for itself, especially considering their success working with Sony on ambitious, crowd-pleasing projects.
The film has been in development since early 2020, when Weir sold the rights to MGM for a reported $3M — a deal that looks smarter by the year. Amazon MGM is now positioning “Project Hail Mary” as a major theatrical event, with a release date set for March 20, 2026.
It’s a huge swing, but if this lands the way Amazon/MGM is hoping — if it captures a similar cultural and box office footprint of “The Martian” — this could be one very expensive gamble that actually pays off. Stay tuned.