How 'Project Hail Mary' Brought Its Lovable Alien Rocky to Life With Practical Puppetry

When Ryan Gosling interacts with his alien companion Rocky in Project Hail Mary, he isn't staring at a green screen. He's acting opposite an elaborate puppet operated by Broadway veteran James Ortiz, who spent nearly the entire six-month London shoot bringing the character to life.

From Broadway to Outer Space

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller insisted on practical effects over digital wherever possible. Ortiz, known for his creature work in Broadway shows like The Skin of Their Teeth and Into the Woods, was the perfect choice. Working with legendary designer Neil Scanlan (Jim Henson's creature shop, Star Wars), Ortiz spent months in pre-production refining Rocky's construction.

"Actor to actor, I didn't want Ryan to ever feel like he was alone in this," Ortiz explains. The pair rehearsed each scene face-to-face before layering in the puppet, establishing emotional beats together.

A Voice He Never Expected to Keep

Ortiz also voiced Rocky's dialogue from a sound booth during filming, giving Gosling a proper scene partner. He assumed a bigger name would re-record in post — but Lord and Miller found his performance irreplaceable. "Getting that call was incredible," Ortiz says. "I'd convinced myself it wouldn't be me."

Gosling's generosity stood out throughout production, including gifting Ortiz a Batman Forever crew sweatshirt after discovering their shared love of the film.

Our Take

In an era where CGI dominates blockbuster filmmaking, the decision to build Rocky as a practical puppet feels genuinely radical. The result speaks for itself — Rocky is already being called the breakout star of 2026. There's something about physical puppetry that CGI still can't replicate: weight, presence, and the subtle imperfections that make a character feel alive. Ortiz and Scanlan may have just created this generation's Yoda.

Key Takeaways

• Rocky was primarily a practical puppet, not CGI, operated by Broadway puppeteer James Ortiz
• Directors Lord & Miller prioritized physical effects throughout the six-month London shoot
• Neil Scanlan (Star Wars, Jim Henson) designed the puppet, telling Ortiz: "I'm going to treat this like you're Frank Oz"
• Ortiz voiced Rocky on set and was kept as the final voice after directors couldn't improve on his performance
• Sets were built 4-5 feet off the floor so puppeteers could operate from below