James Ortiz opens up about bringing Rocky to life, working with Ryan Gosling, his inspirations Andy Serkis and Doug Jones, and the unexpected personal connection he discovered with the beloved alien.
Few science fiction characters have captured audiences’ hearts quite like Rocky from Project Hail Mary. While Ryan Gosling leads the ambitious space adventure as Ryland Grace, it is his unlikely friendship with a mysterious alien that gives the film much of its emotional power. Behind that unforgettable character is actor and puppeteer James Ortiz, whose performance helped transform Rocky into one of the most memorable cinematic companions in recent years.
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary brings Andy Weir’s bestselling novel to life with a story that combines science, humor, friendship, and the extraordinary lengths two unlikely allies will go to save their worlds.
With the film now available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD, Nerdtropolis had the opportunity to speak with Ortiz for an exclusive interview about bringing Rocky to life, his creative partnership with Gosling, and the legendary performers who inspired his approach.
During our conversation, Ortiz revealed that he never approached Rocky as simply a puppet or a supporting element in someone else’s story. From the beginning, he was determined to make the character feel like a genuine scene partner, even before knowing that his own voice and performance would become such important parts of the finished film.
James Ortiz Was Determined to Make Rocky a Real Character
One of the most fascinating aspects of Project Hail Mary is how naturally Rocky interacts with Gosling’s Ryland Grace. Despite the extraordinary circumstances surrounding their friendship, the connection feels authentic and deeply human.
When I asked Ortiz at what point he stopped thinking of himself as Rocky’s puppeteer and started recognizing that he was playing one of the film’s leads, he explained that his dedication to the role began long before the cameras started rolling.
Initially, the filmmakers were searching for someone who could operate the puppet while also serving as an improvisational scene partner for Gosling.
“Initially, they were just looking for an actor that could puppeteer, that could be a scene partner for Ryan, because Phil and Chris, our fearless leaders, the directors, and Ryan all love improv,” Ortiz explained.
For Ortiz, however, the assignment was much more than making a puppet move convincingly. His background in New York theater and ensemble performances helped shape his approach to the role.
He wanted Rocky to have an emotional presence in every scene, regardless of the technical challenges involved.
“I took it really seriously from the beginning, even though I knew it wasn’t going to be my voice, it wasn’t going to be my final performance.”
That commitment became especially important when Ortiz first spoke with Gosling about their work together.
“I’m going to make sure that whenever Rocky’s on set, it’s going to be as realized as possible,” Ortiz recalled telling the actor.
Puppetry can involve complicated choreography, camera positioning, and mechanical adjustments that require considerable time and coordination. Ortiz was determined that none of those technical demands would interfere with the relationship at the center of the movie.
“Ryan, I’m not going to let that get in the way of the connection that these characters have to have.”
It was a promise that would ultimately help define the emotional heart of Project Hail Mary.
Andy Serkis Helped Inspire Rocky’s Performance
Throughout our conversation, Ortiz spoke passionately about the performers who paved the way for actors working with unconventional characters and performance techniques.
One name stood above the rest: Andy Serkis. Best known for his groundbreaking performances as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings films and Caesar in the modern Planet of the Apes franchise, Serkis helped redefine how audiences perceive characters brought to life through performance capture.
For Ortiz, that influence was especially important when figuring out how to approach Rocky.
“Andy Serkis has always been a role model of mine,” Ortiz told Nerdtropolis.
He explained that Serkis served as a creative template when the team was figuring out how to bring such an unusual character to the screen.
“Especially on Hail Mary, like, how are we gonna do this? Is it kind of like an Andy Serkis thing? And that felt like the right way.”
The influence goes beyond a particular technique. Both performers demonstrate how physical acting can give extraordinary characters emotional depth.
Ortiz also made it clear that he hopes Rocky opens the door to even more unusual roles in the future.
“If I can continue to play characters that defy description, I will be happy forever.”
James Ortiz Reveals His Admiration for Doug Jones
Another highlight of our interview came when I brought up actor Doug Jones, whose career includes iconic creature performances in The Shape of Water, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Hellboy.
Having previously interviewed Jones, I noticed parallels between the two performers, particularly their commitment to physical storytelling and their appreciation for the artistry behind bringing unusual characters to life.
Ortiz immediately recognized the connection.
“Doug has always been an inspiration for me.”
He even recalled watching Hocus Pocus as a child and being fascinated by Jones’ performance as Billy Butcherson.
“I even remember as a kid loving Hocus Pocus and immediately going, ‘ Who’s that zombie?”
For Ortiz, Jones represents the kind of performer whose work transcends elaborate costumes and makeup.
He also revealed a personal goal that he hoped to accomplish during the film’s promotional campaign.
“I’m hoping to meet him at some point during this campaign because I would like to shake his hand and tell him how much his work has affected me.”
Ortiz went on to name several other creative legends who helped shape his appreciation for puppetry, creature effects, and visual storytelling, including Julie Taymor, Jim Henson, Stan Winston, and Rick Baker.
These artists represent different generations of practical effects and character performance, but they share an ability to make audiences believe in the impossible.
For Ortiz, that tradition remains an essential part of filmmaking.
Project Hail Mary Proves the Power of Practical Puppetry
As technology continues to transform the entertainment industry, Ortiz believes Project Hail Mary demonstrates that traditional puppetry still has a powerful place in modern storytelling.
When I asked whether fellow puppeteers had reached out after seeing the film, particularly because Rocky brought renewed attention to their craft, Ortiz revealed that he had received encouraging reactions from artists around the world.
“I have always seen puppetry as an extension of acting.”
That perspective explains why he never viewed Rocky as a technical obstacle. Instead, Ortiz approached the character with the same emotional commitment he would bring to any other acting role.
He also pointed out that puppetry has existed as a storytelling tradition for thousands of years, long before modern cinema.
While elaborate practical effects often appear in blockbuster films, Ortiz believes those characters are sometimes treated as temporary obstacles rather than fully developed individuals.
Rocky offered something different.
“The fact that I— it was a full journey, it was a full character, um, it was really cool to show that this old-fashioned technology, especially in the time that we’re living in now, is just as viable and just as dynamic.”
For a film built around two characters learning to communicate across the vastness of space, that dedication to practical performance adds another layer of meaning.
Rocky does not simply exist alongside Ryland Grace. He becomes an equal participant in their extraordinary journey.
Ortiz hopes that audiences recognize how much expressive power the art form still possesses.
That recognition has been particularly meaningful coming from what he affectionately described as his “puppet brethren all over the world.”
Is James Ortiz Now the Second Most Famous Rocky?
Of course, no conversation about a character named Rocky would be complete without acknowledging a certain iconic boxer.
During our interview, I asked Ortiz a very serious career question: Was he prepared to spend the rest of his life being known as the second most famous Rocky?
After all, Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa remains the undisputed champion, while Rocky the Flying Squirrel from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show has enjoyed decades of popularity.
My argument was that Ortiz had officially knocked the famous cartoon squirrel down a spot.
Ortiz immediately questioned his placement.
“Am I second or third then?”
When I reassured him that Stallone remained first, followed by his character and then Rocky the Flying Squirrel, he seemed genuinely surprised.
“I’m amazed that Rocky and Bullwinkle is not number 2. So that’s a big deal.”
The exchange was a fun reminder of just how quickly Rocky has become a recognizable part of popular culture.
But beneath the jokes was a more meaningful question about how this experience might change Ortiz’s career.
The performer explained that he has always considered himself a character actor, drawn toward unusual roles rather than conventional ones.
Even during his college years performing Shakespeare, he gravitated toward monsters, wizards, spirits, ghosts, and other strange characters.
That creative curiosity continues to shape the kind of work he wants to pursue.
And although he jokingly made himself available to play a barista, Ortiz made it clear that he hopes to continue exploring the kinds of unforgettable characters that challenge traditional acting.
Rocky Helped James Ortiz Rediscover a Part of Himself
Perhaps the most touching moment of our conversation came when I asked Ortiz what Rocky had given back to him after spending so much time bringing the character to life.
His answer revealed an unexpected emotional connection between the performer and his creation.
Ortiz explained that while portraying Rocky, he had unknowingly drawn inspiration from his own childhood personality.
“I didn’t realize that I was kind of doing an impression of myself at a very young age.”
As he reflected on Rocky’s pragmatic personality and slightly fussy nature, Ortiz began recognizing qualities that reminded him of the person he used to be.
“There was a lot of younger me that hopefully I’ve shaken off.”
He described his younger self as someone who wanted everything organized and properly arranged, particularly when it came to making art.
“I love that little boy who really wanted to organize all of his crayons and make sure that everything was ready so that he could make the best art ever.”
Playing Rocky helped him recognize how much he had changed over time while also learning to appreciate that earlier version of himself.
For an actor whose character touches so many audiences through friendship and understanding, the realization offered an unexpected personal reward.
As our conversation came to an end, I thanked Ortiz for giving audiences a character they never knew they needed and making Rocky someone moviegoers would never forget.
His final response perfectly captured the emotional impact of the experience.
“That’s so nice, Sean, and I didn’t know that I needed him too, so that’s really special.”
It was a fitting conclusion to a conversation about a performance that has meant so much to audiences and, as it turns out, just as much to the person responsible for bringing Rocky to life.
Project Hail Mary Is Now Available on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, a science teacher who awakens alone aboard a spaceship light-years from Earth.
With little memory of how he arrived there, Grace slowly discovers that he has been sent on a desperate mission to investigate a mysterious substance threatening the sun and, ultimately, life on Earth.
As he struggles to unravel the scientific mystery, an unexpected friendship changes the course of his mission.
Based on the novel by Andy Weir, the film also stars Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub.
The film is available to own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD, with select editions featuring deleted scenes, commentary from Lord and Miller, and the behind-the-scenes featurette Earth’s Favorite Eridian.
For fans who fell in love with Rocky and Grace’s extraordinary friendship, the home release offers another opportunity to experience their journey and appreciate the artistry that made these characters feel so real.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
