In a recent episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller discussed their ambitious project, revealing that they screened a nearly four-hour cut of “Project Hail Mary” to fellow filmmakers. This candid glimpse into the filmmaking process highlighted their challenges and learnings while crafting a film that has already captured significant box office attention.
Insights from the Screening
During the podcast, Miller provided an amusing yet candid account of their first official test screening. He stated, “Our first official test screening went great, but we do a lot of earlier screenings for friends and family and other filmmakers and writers.” He shared that after getting the assembly cut down to just under four hours, they invited some filmmaker friends to view a three-hour and 45-minute version, which he described as “embarrassing.”
Unanimous Feedback
The experience proved beneficial, albeit humbling, as it resulted in unanimous feedback from the filmmakers: “Get it way shorter,” Lord recalled. He elaborated, “You just don’t know how the scenes are going to land with an audience. We thought everything was charming, but some of those charming things didn’t land.” This valuable input was pivotal in trimming the film’s length significantly, helping them to refine their vision.
The Editing Journey
Following the feedback, Miller detailed the painstaking editing process, stating, “Then we had to slowly, slowly work our way down to 2.5 hours,” which aligns with the final length of the film’s theatrical release. The meticulous editing process reflects their commitment to delivering a polished and engaging narrative that resonates with audiences.
About “Project Hail Mary”
Based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, “Project Hail Mary” features Ryan Gosling in the role of Ryland Grace, a science teacher and former molecular biologist who embarks on a perilous mission to save Earth. Along the way, he encounters the alien Rocky, adding an unexpected twist to his journey. The film made an impressive debut, raking in $80.5 million domestically in its opening weekend, marking it as the biggest opening of the year and the top debut in Amazon MGM’s history. It has since surpassed the $100 million mark in domestic earnings before its second weekend of release.
For more insights and behind-the-scenes details, check out the full interview with Lord and Miller on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast available in the video below.
