James Ortiz, a performer best known for his work on stage, will portray Rocky, a spider-like alien who helps out Ryan Gosling‘s space-traveling science teacher in “Project Hail Mary.” Ortiz’s role was confirmed in the latest trailer for the Amazon MGM Studios release that dropped on Super Bowl Sunday.
In a tweet, Christopher Miller, who co-directs the film with Phil Lord, said Ortiz “was the voice and scene partner with Ryan on set – he *was* Rocky.” “Project Hail Mary” is an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by Andy Weir. Who would portray Rocky, a fan favorite of readers, was a source of speculation online. In addition, Miller revealed that Priya Kansara (“Bridgerton,” “Polite Society”) will portray Mary, the voice of the Hail Mary ship. The cast also includes Sandra Hüller, the Oscar-nominated star of “Anatomy of a Fall.”
Ortiz is an award-winning actor, director, performer and designer. In 2022, he won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design for the dinosaurs he created for Lincoln Center’s Tony-nominated production of “The Skin of Our Teeth.” His acclaimed Off-Broadway creation “The Woodsman” earned him a 2016 OBIE Award for Outstanding Puppet Design, and his interpretation of Milky White in the 2022 Broadway revival of “Into the Woods” was a highlight of the production. Additional acting credits include “El Gato Con Botas” (Tectonic Theater Project) and “On the Head of a Pin” (Strangemen & Co.).
This fall, Ortiz’s puppetry design will be featured in the world-premiere opera adaptation of George Saunders’ novel “Lincoln in the Bardo” at the Metropolitan Opera.
Ortiz is represented by CAA.
variety.com
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