Amazon MGM Studios is on the verge of becoming the first new Hollywood major studio in decades, with the film Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling and producing it as a movie adaptation of Andy Weir's sci-fi space novel. The film's record-breaking launch at the worldwide box office couldn't come at a more opportune time for Amazon MGM Studios, which is building out an international distribution operation. While there are no official discussions regarding a sequel to the novel, a sequel isn't out of the question. The movie, which opened to $80.5 million in North America alone, is the second-best showing in a decade for a non-sequel, non-franchise title behind Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer ($82.5m). Despite not expecting a franchise, Hail Mary has become an instant box office hit due to its ability to appeal to all types of audiences, making it an instant hit.