With “Project Hail Mary” generating buzz ahead of its March 20 release, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are already looking toward their next Andy Weir adaptation.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, the directors confirmed they have a working script for “Artemis” and believe they’ve solved one of its most challenging cinematic obstacles.
Bringing ‘Artemis’ to Life on the Moon
Lord and Miller have been attached to “Artemis” since 2017, when 20th Century Fox secured the rights to Weir’s debut novel. The story’s central challenge has always been its setting: the entire plot unfolds under one-sixth gravity.
“There is an Artemis script, it’s delightful,” Miller told The Hollywood Reporter. “The thing that was holding that back for years was, how do we execute one-sixth gravity? We think we’ve figured it out.”
The novel follows Jazz as she juggles smuggling jobs, sabotage, and a conspiracy to control the city’s vital oxygen supply. Weir’s story blends hard science with clever, character-driven action, a combination that initially made film adaptation technically daunting. Lord and Miller’s comment suggests they are confident modern effects technology, combined with inventive filmmaking, can finally bring Weir’s lunar city to life.
The directors’ approach to Artemis appears consistent with their work on “Project Hail Mary.” Both projects involve protagonists confronting extreme environments and relying on ingenuity to survive. The duo’s penchant for layering humor, human details, and high-stakes adventure gives them a unique edge in adapting Weir’s work, where small personal choices can ripple into citywide consequences.
Beyond technical hurdles, “Artemis” also presents narrative opportunities. Jazz’s journey is a mix of smuggling capers, inventive problem-solving, and tense encounters with rival factions. Lord and Miller have a track record of translating complex story worlds into films that feel lived-in and original. Their challenge will be maintaining the novel’s delicate balance of scientific accuracy and cinematic excitement without losing the personal quirks that make Jazz compelling.
With “Project Hail Mary” now in theaters and receiving strong critical acclaim, the timing for “Artemis” could be ideal. The directors are poised to leverage both their experience adapting Weir’s work and modern filmmaking technology. While no production schedule has been announced, fans of Weir’s lunar adventures may soon see the city of Artemis rendered in a way that honors both its high-concept science and its human heart.