Ryan Gosling on 'Project Hail Mary,' NKOTB, and Tween Slang

March 19, 2026 - 01:08

Ryan Gosling is trading the neon-lit streets of Los Angeles for the silent expanse of deep space in his upcoming film, Project Hail Mary. The actor delves into the challenges of portraying a lone astronaut on a desperate, high-stakes mission to save Earth’s sun, calling the physical and emotional isolation a unique creative hurdle.

But back on solid ground, Gosling faces a different, more delightful challenge: keeping up with the ever-evolving slang of his young daughters. He laughingly admits to being a dedicated student of their vernacular, though he confirms some terms are strictly off-limits for dad to use. “I’m allowed to listen, but not participate,” he joked.

The conversation turned nostalgic as Gosling reflected on the profound impact teachers can have. He shared a heartfelt story about a former educator who believed in him, inspiring a gesture so grand Gosling compared it to the iconic Dead Poets Society scene. He once personally delivered a New Kids on the Block CD to her classroom, a full-circle “O Captain! My Captain!” moment of gratitude for her early support. The interview painted a picture of an artist thoughtfully balancing epic cinematic scales with the small, meaningful moments of everyday life.