Ryan Gosling transforms into bookish school teacher turned astronaut as he films science fiction movie Project Hail Mary in miserable conditions on a Hampshire pier

He counts strange loners, crack-addicted history teachers, the first man on the moon and, most recently, Mattel’s enduringly popular Ken Doll among his colorful list of characters.

But Ryan Gosling looked relatively subdued as he filmed his latest project in rainy conditions on South Parade Pier in Southsea on Sunday.

The American actor, 43, faced the elements in a yellow raincoat while filming scenes with a co-star in the coastal town of Hampshire.

Ryan plays schoolmaster turned astronaut Ryland Grace in the upcoming science fiction film Project Hail Mary, an adaptation of author Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name.

Dressed in his character’s striped shirt, maroon tie and round glasses, the actor looked relaxed as he worked with members of the production team between takes.

The Barbie actor braved the elements in a yellow raincoat for the stormy seaside scenes

He was later seen holding a phone while listening to something through wired earphones.

His performance caused quite a stir among locals as dozens of film trucks and minibuses were parked nearby and people flocked to the location to try and catch a glimpse of the actor.

His starring role and producer title for the film has been talked about for more than four years and follows the adaptation of an earlier Weir novel, The Martian.

That book was adapted into the critically and commercially successful film starring Matt Damon, which he said grossed $630 million. Box Office Mojo.

The film’s synopsis on IMDB reads: ‘Set in the near future, it centers on Ryland Grace, a high school teacher turned astronaut (played by Ryan), who awakens from a coma and suffers from amnesia.

‘He gradually remembers being sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, twelve light-years from Earth, to find a way to reverse an eclipse of the sun that could cause the extinction of humanity to make.’

Project Hail Mary will reportedly be released on May 20, 2026.

MGM has acquired the new project in a reported seven-figure deal, and Ryan would produce it alongside Ken Kao.

He wore the colorful garment over a blue and white striped shirt and a brown tweed blazer

Adding another pop of color, Ryan completed his look with a burgundy tie and accessorized with round glasses

In the scenes, Ryan was seen using a phone while listening to something through wired earphones. He was then seen hugging his co-star, who is yet to be identified

The film, about an astronaut tasked with saving Earth, was written by Andy Weir, whose novel The Martian was a hit for Matt Damon; shown with Damien Chazelle in 2018

Project Hail Mary should be right in Ryan’s wheelhouse, as he previously played a lonely, brooding version of Neil Armstrong in the biopic First Man.

Although the film was a hit with critics, who singled him out for his performance, audiences did not flock to see it.

Just prior to that, the La La Land star helmed the ambitious sequel Blade Runner 2049, which was praised by critics for its stunning visuals and quietly emotional performance.

But the film failed to make back its budget, possibly due to its long running time and the fact that the 1982 original, starring Harrison Ford, was a box office failure, even though the film is now regarded as a cult classic considered.

Ryan’s only other film since the Oscar-winning hit La La Land was the divisive arthouse drama Song To Song, in which he co-starred with Rooney Mara and Michael Fassbender for legendary author Terrence Malick.

The film will likely be set in Ryan’s wheelhouse, where he previously starred as the lonely, brooding Neil Armstrong in 2018’s First Man (still pictured from First Man)

Ryan’s production on Project Hail Mary will mark his first attempt at directing a production since his ill-fated 2014 directorial debut Lost River, which currently has a 30 percent poor rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Project Hail Mary will likely be Andy Weir’s third high-profile adaptation.

Directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller, best known for directing The Lego Movie, are currently working on an adaptation of his sequel to 2017’s The Martian, the sci-fi novel Artemis.

Term reported in November that their production company is also developing an original idea from the writer, as well as a graphic novel.