- Primary Subject: Practical effects and filmmaking techniques in Project Hail Mary
- Key Update: Co-director Christopher Miller confirmed that the film used zero green screens.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: March 6, 2026
- Quick Answer: Project Hail Mary avoided green screens entirely, using physical ship sets and black-screen backgrounds to ensure natural lighting and a more immersive, tactile cinematic experience.
The co-director of Project Hail Mary recently revealed a shocking behind-the-scenes detail as he shared that no green screen was used during filming.
The new science-fiction movie based on the best-selling Andy Weir novel has generated a lot of buzz from critics and journalists who have seen it in advance. Some have even compared it to the likes of Interstellar and Gravity and predicted it to be the next space movie classic. The trailers alone have suggested that audiences should expect visually stunning images that are worthy to be seen on the big screen.
Did Project Hail Mary Use Any Green Screen During Filming?
In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Project Hail Mary co-director Christopher Miller revealed that they did not use green screen during filming, to the surprise of many fans.
Most audiences are familiar with the "green screen" (or chroma key), a common visual effects technique used in movies, especially when scenes take place in space.
"What’s fun about the movie is that there is no green screen in the movie whatsoever. Not a single green or blue screen was used," he said.
"The whole ship was built as a set from the inside. We had a huge section of the exterior of the ship on the outside that we built. [The alien character Rocky] was really with us at all times. And so, that’s what makes it feel real and makes it feel natural."
However, in a post on X, Miller eventually clarified his comments and explained that the film had a lot of visual effects shots, although they still did not use any "green screen" when it came to the Hail Mary ship set.
"Green screen is sometimes used in lieu of building sets or figuring out locations/lighting in advance, which can be noticeable if not done carefully, and is something we didn’t want to do. We built the entire interior of the Hail Mary ship – but within the ship, there were still wire and puppeteer removals and ceiling replacements, etc," he wrote.
"When Ryan [Gosling] is outside on the hull of the ship, we shot him in front of a black background for space and a shifting hue background when he was up against the aurora of a planet, which allowed for truer interactive light on him than a green screen would."
Miller continued, "The wide space exteriors and spaceship shots were entirely digital and beautifully done by ILM. Rocky was a seamless blend of puppetry and animation from Framestore. And other great work from many more. It really does take a village, and we had the best of the best on our side."
What is Project Hail Mary About?
Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary follows science teacher Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship light-years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there.
As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.
The cast includes Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, James Ortiz, and Priya Kansara. Oscar winners Phil Lord and Chris Miller serve as directors and producers.
The film is set to arrive in theaters on March 20. It will also be available in IMAX and other premium large formats.
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