Lionel Boyce: From The Bear to Project Hail Mary & Embracing the Unknown

Actor Lionel Boyce, known for his role as pastry chef Marcus Brooks in the acclaimed television series The Bear, appears in this week’s science fiction release, Project Hail Mary. The film, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, is based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir, author of The Martian.

Boyce plays Carl, a security officer and aide to Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller), who leads the team on Earth tasked with finding a solution to a crisis threatening the sun. While the character is not present in Weir’s original novel, Boyce described the collaborative process with the filmmakers as organic, with his role expanding beyond initial expectations.

“Some people you hire are more like a ghost in the machine, and other people who put their DNA all over it, and that’s what you love them for,” Boyce said. “Chris and Phil are the type of filmmakers who do that. The role on paper was supposed to be small, but I think they chased the rabbit down the hole with my character; that’s the magic of film, and somehow it all makes sense.”

Project Hail Mary follows middle-school teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) as he awakens on a spacecraft with amnesia, tasked with saving Earth from a phenomenon causing the sun to dim. Boyce’s character, Carl, works closely with Grace, utilizing his observational skills and problem-solving abilities to understand the unfolding crisis.

Boyce emphasized the collaborative dynamic on set, particularly his scenes with Gosling. “It really did feel like it was its own thing,” he explained. “That’s when it gave us more perspective of how he would be involved in things. It was about connection, different kinds of connections and friendships, so that’s just another one of them, simultaneously happening while he’s with Rocky.”

The actor praised Lord and Miller’s directing style, noting their ability to balance comedy and storytelling. “They take it serious without being precious—it’s a great balance,” Boyce said. He also highlighted the impact of working with Hüller, describing her as “cool” and “intentional.”

Boyce, who previously appeared in The Jellies! and was a member of the music collective Odd Future alongside Tyler, the Creator, described being drawn to the project due to his admiration for the filmmakers and the source material. He noted the initial scope of his role was small, but expanded through collaboration.

Currently, Boyce is back in Chicago filming Season 5 of The Bear, rumored to be the show’s final season. He jokingly addressed a previous promotional appearance for the show at the Music Box Theatre, where a scene he filmed was ultimately cut from the final episodes. He offered to introduce screenings of Project Hail Mary at the theater as a gesture of goodwill.

“I said before this movie is about connection, and I hope people examine openness and connection for themselves,” Boyce said. “That’s such an important thing that I feel gets cut off because we get used to our groove and routines in life. And having a connection to something outside of yourself and what you know is always innocent and could lead you what saves your life or just find something that’s missing, something great.”

Boyce is also appearing in the upcoming film Motor City, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year and is scheduled for release later in 2026.