The moment the first teaser for the sci-fi space film *Project Hail Mary* starring Ryann Gaoslin dropped真实配资平台, fans were quick to voice their displeasure. Many readers felt that a key element from the original novel—the unexpected early reveal of the alien Loki’s arrival—was spoiled far too soon in the trailer.
I happened to read the original book *The Salvation Plan* quite early on and loved it immediately. When I later learned Ryann Gaoslin would star in the adaptation, I was beyond thrilled. Yet, after watching the trailer, many viewers seemed confused and lost in the fog, so today let’s dive into what the novel’s story really entails. If you don’t mind spoilers, this quick rundown might help you better set your expectations for the film.
展开剩余90%As a devoted space-tech geek, I know that Andy Weir’s storytelling journey began back in 2009 as a blog series. Initially updating *The Martian* quietly, he was shocked when thousands of fans responded enthusiastically, urging him to bundle it up on Amazon’s self-publishing platform at just 99 cents.
A pivotal moment arrived in March 2013 when Random House bought the rights for six figures, followed swiftly by 20th Century Fox (now Disney) acquiring the film adaptation rights. Under Ridley Scott’s direction and starring Matt Damon, *The Martian* swept seven Oscar nominations at the 88th Academy Awards, raking in $630 million globally and boosting the book’s sales dramatically.
After a lukewarm reception to his second work, *Artemis*, Andy Weir exploded back into acclaim in 2021 with *The Salvation Plan*.
*(Spoiler alert ahead; please skip to the next section if you prefer no spoilers.)*
Set against an impending crisis, the sun is infected by “Star Eaters,” neutrino-scale creatures that behave like cosmic algae—absorbing solar energy voraciously, reproducing en masse on Venus, and returning to the sun, causing its temperature to plummet drastically. Scientists predict Earth’s population will halve within decades.
Desperate, humanity discovers that star T in the constellation Cetus, 11.9 light-years away, remains unaffected by these creatures. Using the Star Eaters themselves as fuel, they build near-light-speed ships and dispatch three astronauts to T star with a singular mission: locate an “antibody” that can resist the Star Eaters and send the research back via a small craft.
The journey is one-way; fuel only suffices for the outbound trip. Ryan Grace, a former middle school teacher, is thrust into this mission by fate. Tragically, one crewmate dies en route, leaving Ryan humanity’s sole hope.
On T star, Ryan encounters Loki, an alien engineer from the constellation Bo?tes, also seeking answers to the Star Eater crisis. Ryan becomes the first human to contact extraterrestrial life. Despite vast differences, they bridge the species gap, cooperating not only to save their home systems but forging a deep bond born from shared survival.
During my time reading *The Salvation Plan*, I was wholly immersed in its world. Though peppered with hard science, the story flows smoothly. The premise—a cosmic virus and the hunt for a cure—is classic sci-fi, but Andy Weir’s masterful writing shines through. He maintains *The Martian*’s trademark “science solves everything” approach, turning each scientific hurdle’s resolution into the novel’s thrilling core.
Across three works, this style has become his signature, standing apart from dystopias, cyberpunk, space operas, or teen fantasy. To me, this is the purest, most captivating form of science fiction.
Another highlight is the clever narrative structure. The story opens with a memory-loss astronaut waking in a spaceship, clueless about who he is or his mission. Readers follow his lonely struggle for survival in deep space while piecing together his past via flashbacks. This dual narrative—space survival and earthbound memories—builds intense suspense, balances pacing, and tightly intertwines past and present with cinematic flair.
Given Andy Weir’s involvement in *The Martian* film script, this highly visual, well-paced, clear storytelling style is no surprise. Fans of fast, vivid movies will love the novel’s brisk progression.
This is why I was so eager for the movie adaptation— the novel already reads like a brilliant screenplay with minimal need for alteration.
What thrilled me most was the portrayal of the Bo?tes alien Loki. When the author began describing Loki’s alien appearance, I worried—how could readers accept and believe in such a truly “alien” life form? As Michael Crichton (author of *Jurassic Park*) noted, even dolphins and humans on Earth struggle to communicate. Life evolved in other star systems could be beyond human understanding, like higher-dimensional beings. Direct depiction and meaningful contact risk feeling unconvincing.
I thought a *Three-Body Problem*-style indirect approach was the only way.
Yet *The Salvation Plan* not only features direct alien contact but places it at the story’s heart. Andy Weir pulled off this feat with astonishing skill.
He sets the stage plausibly: the two species share a common origin, similar atmospheric pressure leads to matching thought speeds, and, crucially, their tech levels are comparable. Only civilizations facing extinction with just enough tech to reach Cetus would meet here. Too primitive to travel, or too advanced to need help, would never cross paths.
This foundation lets Ryan and Loki form a friendship that’s genuinely touching, turning a dire existential tale into something deeply moving and even occasionally funny.
While *The Salvation Plan* may lack the profound cosmic philosophy of *Three-Body Problem*, it charms with its sheer earnestness and joy in storytelling, making it utterly addictive.
Unsurprisingly, the film rights were snapped up at a high price before publication. The movie, named *Project Hail Mary*, stars Ryan Gosling, sharing the hero’s name, and features *The Martian*’s Drew Goddard as screenwriter.
The only slight worry lies with directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller—known for *The Lego Movie*, *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse*, and *21 Jump Street*—who bring a strong comedy background but limited live-action sci-fi experience. Though the novel contains humor, its sci-fi core is paramount. The comedic tone aligns more with *The Martian* than a pure gag fest, so hopefully they strike the right balance.
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