In the Japanese version of the sci-fi blockbuster film "Project Hail Mary" (directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, released March 20th), starring Canadian actor Ryan Gosling, it has been revealed that voice actress Yuya Uchida will voice Grace, the middle school science teacher who plays the protagonist Gosling, and Kotono Mitsuishi will voice Strat, the commander who leads the reckless project. Additionally, a stellar cast of popular and talented voice actors including Miyuki Sawashiro, Ayane Sakura, Kenta Miyake, and Kazuhiro Yamaji will appear. A trailer for the Japanese dubbed version has also been released.
This film is an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name (Hayakawa Publishing) by popular author Andy Weir, who also wrote the original novel "The Martian," which was adapted into the 2015 film "The Martian." The original novel was published in May 2021 and sold over a million copies in just six months.
The story is set in the future, where an abnormal event occurs in which solar energy is stolen due to an unknown cause. If this continues, the Earth's temperature will drop and humanity will be wiped out. In order to avert this unprecedented crisis, the world's wisdom is gathered. Investigation reveals that this phenomenon is not only affecting the Sun, but also countless stars scattered throughout the universe, and a single unharmed star is discovered 11.9 light-years away.
The only option left for humanity is to head there in a spaceship and solve the mystery that will save the sun and all of humanity. A lowly middle school science teacher, Grace (Gosling), is sent into space for a "Hail Mary" project. Relying on her own scientific knowledge, Grace encounters a small, brave, unknown lifeform, Rocky, who shares the same goal. Though the two differ in language, physique, and common sense, they communicate through science as a shared language and build a bond of trust that transcends species. Together, they risk their lives to embark on a mission to save their homeland.
Distributed by Sony Pictures, the creators of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) are involved in the production.
Uchida has previously voiced Gosling in his most notable works, including "La La Land" (2017) and "The Fall Guy" (2024). "Thankfully, I've been able to voice him in over 10 films, and I'm secretly happy that I'm slowly getting to know Gosling's own mannerisms," he said.
Mitsuishi, who voices Strat (Sandra Hüller), the commander who scouts Grace to be a member of "Project Hail Mary" and sends her into space, said, "Strat is cool and keeps to himself, but he also has a charming, silky grace. I worked carefully with the director to record the voice."
In addition to Sawashiro, Sakura, Miyake, and Yamaji, the cast will also include Sonozaki Mie, Inoue Satoru, Tanaka Mio, Takashima Masara, Hayashi Marika, Yokobori Etsuo, Mamiya Yasuhiro, Arai Shoko, Kobe Mitsuho, Yuzuki Naoko, Mitsuho Kanbe Mai, Kaneshiro Kei, Watanabe Akira, and Kiuchi Taro, who narrated the original novel on the audiobook distribution service Audible.
Comments from Uchida and Mitsuishi are as follows:
◇Comment from Yuya Uchida (role of Grace)
I jumped for joy when I found out I'd been chosen to voice the Japanese version of Ryan Gosling in this film!
Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to work with him on over 10 films, and I am secretly happy that I am gradually getting to know Gosling's own quirks.
The Japanese version of this work took more than twice as long to record as other works.
This was partly because of the overwhelming amount of lines, but also because they paid attention not only to every single word but even to every single breath, which made me very happy.
The more we focus on our work, the smoother it becomes, and the less our customers notice.
So I hope you can enjoy this beautiful world of the work without being distracted by the voice actors.
◇Comment from Kotono Mitsuishi (role of Strut)
All the numbers are too big! Too long! Too small! The world of science is full of extraordinary things that are so different from everyday life, it's stimulating and delights the brain.
I was impressed and impressed by how Grace overcomes each problem one by one in her lonely universe.
He is definitely a hero.
Strutt is cool and reserved, but also charming with her silky grace.
We recorded carefully together with the director.
In fact, I started reading the original book after the recording, and I've come to appreciate the story even more.
Let's go on a space adventure together!
