Project Hail Mary: No CGI, No Shortcuts: Rocky Was On The Set Every Single Day

The trailer of the Ryan Gosling starrer 'Project Hail Mary' features a mysterious alien presence that instantly grabs attention and that's Rocky. Rocky may look unfamiliar, but he quickly turns out to be the heart of Project Hail Mary. As the story unfolds, he becomes astronaut Ryland Grace's unlikely companion, bringing warmth, intelligence, and an emotional depth that transforms the film into a unique buddy journey.

When the filmmakers of Project Hail Mary set out to bring Rocky to life, they made a bold call, he wouldn't be created later through CGI, but would exist physically on set throughout the shoot. "What's so great about Rocky in the book is the way he's described as a character that looks like he's made of rocks, has no face, has five leg-arms that he can use for various different purposes," Miller says. Instead of simplifying that complexity, the team leaned into it, building the character through puppetry and advanced animatronics to ensure he could perform alongside Ryan Gosling in real time.

For creature effects supervisor Neil Scanlan, Rocky was never just a design challenge but a co-lead. "One of the great attractions of this film is that Rocky is the second player," he says, emphasizing the film's buddy dynamic. That thinking extended to the set, where puppeteer James Ortiz and his team operated Rocky live, giving Gosling a real scene partner to react to. "I was alone on camera for many months, so once we got to the Rocky portion, I was very relieved to have company," Gosling adds, highlighting how the character's physical presence directly enhanced performance and authenticity.

That commitment to realism went beyond Rocky himself. "What's fun about the movie is that there is no green screen in the movie whatsoever. Not a single green or blue screen was used," Miller revealed, noting that the ship was fully built as a practical set. While the film still features thousands of VFX shots, the approach was clear: use technology to enhance reality, not replace it. The result is a seamless blend of puppetry and visual effects that ensures Rocky isn't just seen on screen, he's felt.

Presented by Amazon MGM Studios and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing International, Project Hail Mary will release in Indian cinemas on 26 March 2026, in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, across IMAX®️ and other premium large formats.