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How a mistake led to Rocky, the breakout star of hit movie Project Hail Mary

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Actor Ryan Gosling with a puppet of Rocky at the photocall of Project Hail Mary in Paris, France on March 11, 2026.

Ryan Gosling (left) shares the screen with an adorably high-strung alien called Rocky because of his rock-like body.

PHOTO: AFP

Esther Zuckerman

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NEW YORK – In Project Hail Mary, Canadian actor Ryan Gosling shares the screen with an adorably high-strung alien called Rocky because of his rock-like body.

Rocky’s jittery personality is one of his most charming traits, but it was initially based on a mistake by the lead puppeteer and voice actor, James Ortiz.

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