James Ortiz: The Voice and Puppeteer Behind ‘Project Hail Mary’s Rocky
The upcoming science fiction film Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, features a unique and endearing alien character named Rocky. Behind this character is James Ortiz, a Drama Desk Award-winning puppeteer who not only performs the puppet but as well provides Rocky’s voice.
Who is James Ortiz?
James Ortiz is a celebrated theater artist with a distinguished career in puppetry. He brought the character of Rocky to life in Project Hail Mary, working closely with Ryan Gosling, who plays Dr. Ryland Grace. Ortiz served as both the lead puppeteer and the voice actor for the alien, a crucial role in bringing Andy Weir’s novel to the screen.
Bringing Rocky to Life
The creation of Rocky involved a collaborative effort between Ortiz and the creature shop led by Neal Scanlon. As Phil Lord explained on X (formerly Twitter), Rocky’s performance is a result of the collaboration between Ortiz and his team on set, along with the animators at Framestore led by Arslan Elver. The Hollywood Reporter details this intricate process.
A Background in Puppetry
Ortiz’s expertise in puppetry extends beyond Project Hail Mary. He previously designed Milky White in the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods and the dinosaur puppets in Lincoln Center’s The Skin of Our Teeth, for which he won a Drama Desk Award in 2022 for outstanding puppet design. Broadway World highlights these accomplishments.
‘Project Hail Mary’ Plot and Cast
Project Hail Mary follows Dr. Ryland Grace, a science teacher who awakens on a spaceship far from home with amnesia. He embarks on a mission to save Earth, aided by the alien creature Rocky. The film also stars Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, and Priya Kansara, who voices the ship’s AI, Mary.
Release Date
Project Hail Mary is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 20, 2026.
How Ortiz Landed the Role
According to SYFY WIRE, directors Chris Miller and Phil Lord initially tapped Ortiz for the puppetry work and later realized his voice was perfect for Rocky, making him a key scene partner for Ryan Gosling.