James Ortiz IS Rocky in Project Hail Mary

James Ortiz, an accomplished performer known for his stage work, has been revealed as the voice and on-set partner for Rocky, a key alien character in "Project Hail Mary." The confirmation came via the newest trailer for the Amazon MGM Studios film, dropped on Super Bowl Sunday. Co-director Christopher Miller highlighted Ortiz's integral role, stating he "was the voice and scene partner with Ryan on set."

The highly anticipated film is based on Andy Weir's popular novel of the same name. Ortiz's casting as Rocky, a fan-favorite character among readers, had been a subject of much online speculation. Additionally, Priya Kansara, known for her roles in "Bridgerton" and "Polite Society," has been confirmed to voice Mary, the sentient AI of the Hail Mary ship. The ensemble cast also includes Sandra Hüller, recognized for her Oscar-nominated performance in "Anatomy of a Fall."

Ortiz brings a wealth of experience in puppetry and performance to the role. His previous accolades include a Drama Desk Award for his dinosaur designs in "The Skin of Our Teeth" and an OBIE Award for his puppetry in "The Woodsman." He also received praise for his portrayal of Milky White in the Broadway revival of "Into the Woods." His puppetry design will next be featured in the Metropolitan Opera's adaptation of George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo" this fall.