Ryan Gosling teamed up with unexpected collaborators during the filming of his latest sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary, which features him alongside an alien character named Rocky. The actor’s two daughters, Esmeralda Amada, 11, and Amada Lee, 9, lent their voices to Rocky during some scenes, helping Gosling interact with the extraterrestrial co-star through an earpiece. This personal involvement added a humorous and genuine touch to the character’s portrayal, showcasing a unique family dynamic on set.
How Gosling’s Daughters Brought Rocky to Life
The alien ally Rocky is officially voiced by James Ortiz in the final film, but Ryan Gosling revealed that many of his reactions throughout the movie were inspired by his daughters’ impromptu performances. Wearing an earpiece, Gosling would listen as Esmeralda and Amada spoke for Rocky, which helped him respond naturally during their interactions.
Sometimes when I was working and I needed to sort of switch things up or whatever, my kids would come in and I had an earpiece in my ear and they would talk for Rocky, so I could talk to them as Rocky,
Gosling told PEOPLE.
There’s some moments in the movie where I’m laughing or I’m just so charmed by him, which is like, it’s actually my kids talking to me and helping me out,
he added, reflecting on how their involvement enriched his performance as the character.
The Role of Test Audiences and Creative Input from Family
Throughout the production, Gosling’s daughters acted as informal test audiences, watching many versions of the film and providing their thoughts on different edits. Their feedback influenced elements of the movie, showing how involved the family was beyond just voicing Rocky.
They’ve seen many cuts of this film,
Gosling shared. They’ve given me many notes.
Additionally, Esmeralda helped shape Gosling’s character visually. While trying on costume pieces, she remarked on how glasses made him look smarter, a suggestion that Gosling appreciated for his portrayal of a science teacher sent into space to save Earth.
When I was trying on stuff for the character and my daughter came by, and she was like, ‘You look smart in glasses,’
Gosling recalled.
And I was like, ‘I need to look smart in this, so I will thank you for that.’
Additional Cast and Film Details
Project Hail Mary features other talented actors, including Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub. The film is adapted from Andy Weir’s novel, the author behind the bestselling book The Martian. It is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for their work on major hits like The LEGO Movie and 21 Jump Street.
Release Information and Anticipation
Project Hail Mary is scheduled for release in theaters on March 20. The film promises an exciting mix of heartfelt storylines and thrilling sci-fi adventure, with Gosling’s collaboration with his daughters providing a charming behind-the-scenes story. Fans and newcomers alike can look forward to seeing how this unique family teamwork shaped the final performance.
