'Project Hail Mary' sends Ryan Gosling into outer space
Gosling was joined on a convention panel by directing duo Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, as well as screenwriter Drew Goddard and book author Andy Weir -- whose previous novel "The Martian" was also turned into an Oscar-nominated film starring Matt Damon.
Based on Weir's 2021 book of the same title, "Project Hail Mary" follows astronaut Ryland Grace (Gosling), a science teacher waking up to learn he was recruited for a space mission to save Earth from an existential solar threat.
Gosling described his character as "a scared guy who has to do something impossible."
"I knew it would be brilliant, because it's Andy [Weir]," Gosling told the crowd.
"It took me places I've never been. It showed me things I had never seen. It was as heartbreaking as it was funny and I was... not just blown away, but also overwhelmed."
Weir, for his part, said it was "so cool" to see his book come to life and complimented Gosling for giving "many layers to this character I made up."
The event also showcased various clips from the film, receiving a positive response from fans, who noted the bond formed between Gosling's character and an alien named Rocky.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
AI bands signal new era for music business
LONDON - A rising tide of artificial intelligence (AI) bands is ushering in a new era where work will be scarcer for musicians. Whether it's Velvet Sundown's 1970s-style rock or country music projects "Aventhis" and "The Devil Inside," bands whose members are pure AI creations are seeing more than a million plays on streaming giant Spotify. No major streaming service clearly labels tracks that come entirely from AI, except France's Deezer. Meanwhile, the producers of these songs tend to be unreachable. "I feel like we're at a place where nobody is really talking about it, but we are feeling it," said music producer, composer and performer Leo Sidran. "There is going to be a lot of music released that we can't really tell who made it or how it was made." The Oscar-winning artist sees the rise of AI music as perhaps a sign of how "generic and formulaic" genres have become. AI highlights the chasm between music people listen to "passively" while doing other things and "active" listening in which fans care about what artists convey, said producer and composer Yung Spielburg on the Imagine AI Live podcast. Spielburg believes musicians will win out over AI with "active" listeners but will be under pressure when it comes to tunes people play in the background while cooking dinner or performing mundane tasks. If listeners can't discern which tunes are AI-made, publishers and labels will likely opt for synthetic bands that don't earn royalties, Spielburg predicted. "AI is already in the music business and it's not going away because it is cheap and convenient," said Mathieu Gendreau, associate professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, who is also a music industry executive. "That will make it even more difficult for musicians to make a living." Music streaming platforms already fill playlists with mood music attributed to artists about whom no information can be found, according to University of Rochester School of Music professor Dennis DeSantis. Meanwhile, AI-generated soundtracks have become tempting, cost-saving options in movies, television shows, ads, shops, elevators and other venues, DeSantis added. Technology has repeatedly helped shape the music industry, from electric guitars and synthesisers to multi-track recording and voice modulators. Unlike such technologies that gave artists new tools and techniques, AI could lead to the "eradication of the chance of sustainability for the vast majority of artists," warned George Howard, a professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
The REAL names of Hollywood's biggest stars revealed
In the dazzling world of Hollywood, stars often craft not only their careers but also their identities. For many, this includes adopting a stage name that is more memorable, marketable, or simply easier to pronounce than their birth name. From action heroes to award-winning icons, some of the most recognizable names in entertainment are not the ones these celebrities were born with. Whether for privacy, branding, or to avoid confusion with others in the industry, these name changes have helped define their public personas. One of the most famous examples is Brad Pitt, whose real name is William Bradley Pitt. Similarly, Tom Cruise was born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, and Vin Diesel began life as Mark Sinclair Vincent. For some actors, stage names were necessary to stand out or avoid duplication within Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild (SAG), which does not allow two performers to register with the same professional name. This led Michael Keaton to change his name from Michael John Douglas, avoiding confusion with fellow actor Michael Douglas. Music and comedy stars have also embraced pseudonyms. Jamie Foxx, originally Eric Marlon Bishop, chose a gender-neutral name early in his stand-up career to increase his chances of being called on stage. Whoopi Goldberg, born Caryn Elaine Johnson, adopted her now-iconic name from a combination of a whoopee cushion (for her comedic timing) and her family's belief that a Jewish-sounding surname could open more doors in show business. Among female actors, the transformation is just as dramatic. Oscar-winner Natalie Portman was born Neta-Lee Hershlag, and Meg Ryan is actually Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra. The late screen legend Marilyn Monroe was famously born Norma Jeane Mortenson, later taking her stepfather's surname, Baker, before Hollywood transformed her identity forever. Rising stars are also no strangers to reinvention. Emma Stone, whose birth name is Emily Jean Stone, changed her professional name after finding out 'Emily Stone' was already taken in SAG. 'It was Emma or Riley. Emma felt right,' she once said in an interview. The tradition of altering names is rooted not just in branding, but also in survival within a competitive and often image-focused industry. A unique or appealing name can help actors stand out in casting calls and marketing campaigns, shaping their public identity from the ground up. While fans may be surprised to learn the real names behind the celebrities they admire, these changes are a reminder that behind the glamour and red carpets, Hollywood is a world where reinvention is often the first step toward stardom. Here's a list of well-known Hollywood actors and their real (birth) names that differ from their stage names: Stage name Real name Brad Pitt William Bradley Pitt Tom Cruise Thomas Cruise Mapother IV Vin Diesel Mark Sinclair Vincent Jamie Foxx Eric Marlon Bishop Joaquin Phoenix Joaquin Rafael Bottom Charlie Sheen Carlos Irwin Estévez Michael Keaton Michael John Douglas Nicolas Cage Nicolas Kim Coppola Woody Allen Allan Stewart Konigsberg Ben Kingsley Krishna Pandit Bhanji Martin Sheen Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez Hulk Hogan (wrestler/actor) Terry Gene Bollea Ice Cube O'Shea Jackson The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) Dwayne Douglas Johnson Ozzy Osbourne John Michael Osbourne Stage name Real name Natalie Portman Neta-Lee Hershlag Whoopi Goldberg Caryn Elaine Johnson Meg Ryan Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra Marilyn Monroe Norma Jeane Mortenson (later Baker) Demi Moore Demetria Gene Guynes Reese Witherspoon Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon Emma Stone Emily Jean Stone Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta Tina Fey Elizabeth Stamatina Fey Mila Kunis Milena Markovna Kunis Winona Ryder Winona Laura Horowitz Olivia Wilde Olivia Jane Cockburn Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
Labubu fans dote over ugly-cute doll trending at Comic-Con
San Diego Comic-Con is the latest location where the ugly-cute dolls named Labubu have been trending, with fans carrying the plushies globally popularised by celebrities Rihanna, Lizzo, Dua Lipa and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink. The wide-eyed and grinning doll was created in 2015 by Hong Kong artist and illustrator Kasing Lung. In 2019, Lung allowed them to be sold by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company that sells collectible figurines, often in 'blind boxes'. 'Blind boxes' are sealed boxes containing a surprise item that is usually part of a themed collection. Naomi Galban from San Diego waited in line on Sunday at the Pop Mart booth in the San Diego Convention Center for a chance to get her first Labubu. 'Every time I go to a Pop Mart store, they're sold out,' the 24-year-old said. She hoped to buy one for her little sister. Emily Brough, Pop Mart's Head of IP Licensing, spoke to Reuters on Thursday about Labubu fans at Comic-Con. 'We love to see how fans are personalising it [Labubu] for themselves,' Brough said next to the Pop Mart booth. While Brough noted that there were many people with a Labubu strapped to their bags and backpacks at Comic-Con, the doll's popularity did not happen overnight. Labubus had a huge boost in 2019 after Pop Mart began selling them, and in 2024, when Blackpink's Lisa, who is Thai, created a buying frenzy in Thailand after she promoted Labubu on social media.
