Amid buzz from recent footage previews, director Christopher Miller clarified that the sci-fi film Project Hail Mary used no green screens during production for authenticity with practical sets—yet features 2,018 visual effects shots. The Ryan Gosling-starring adaptation arrives in theaters March 20 from Amazon MGM Studios.
In a recent interview with ComicBook, Miller stated, “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 explained that the entire interior of the Hail Mary spaceship was built as a practical set, with a huge section of the exterior constructed outdoors. The alien character Rocky was present on set through puppetry, contributing to a sense of realism.
Following the interview's viral spread, Miller posted on X to clarify that “no green screen” does not equate to “no VFX.” He noted there are 2,018 VFX shots in the film. “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,” Miller wrote. The team built the ship's interior but still required VFX for tasks like wire and puppeteer removals and ceiling replacements.
For scenes with Gosling outside the ship, filming used a black background for space and a shifting hue background for planetary auroras to achieve more accurate interactive lighting. Wide space exteriors and spaceship shots were created digitally by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM). Rocky combines puppetry and animation from Framestore.
The practical effects have drawn praise, including from Guillermo del Toro, who after a screening posted: “What Phil and Chris did here- the amount of PRACTICAL sets and effects and puppets is just so beautiful to see- so inspiring to hold- it’s a goal- and aspiration and a commitment. Specially now- so much- now.”
