Critics and audiences agree: James Ortiz’s voice performance as Rocky in Project Hail Mary was the right choice. While the film experimented with different voices for the alien, Ortiz’s portrayal stood out as the definitive version. Even Meryl Streep’s take couldn’t match the energy of the plucky Eridian, who teams up with Ryan Gosling’s Dr. Ryland Grace to save the stars in the blockbuster sci-fi hit.
Ortiz’s impact may extend beyond his initial performance. According to Variety, he is being submitted for Best Supporting Actor at next year’s Oscars. If successful, it would mark a historic moment for the Academy.
Will James Ortiz Make Oscars History?
Despite his eligibility, Ortiz faces an uphill battle. The Oscars must first decide to nominate him—a decision that could redefine the Academy’s recognition of puppeteers and voice actors. No puppeteer or voice performer behind a puppet character has ever been nominated in the acting categories. Similarly, motion capture performers who voice characters, like Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, have also been overlooked.
Ortiz’s work in Project Hail Mary could change that. His puppetry and voice performance have captivated audiences, earning praise for bringing depth and emotion to Rocky’s character.
“Typically, we talk about puppetry as a technical achievement, and it is,” Ortiz said. “It’s a spectacle. For me as a performer, however, that’s never my entry point. I’m interested in the heart of the character — what they’re trying to communicate, what they’re feeling underneath all of it. When we can take a medium like puppetry, which is often seen as decorative, and bring to life a character with a beating heart in a way that genuinely affects people, then we’re doing something truly meaningful.”
What This Means for the Oscars and Fans
If Ortiz is nominated for Best Supporting Actor, it could signal a shift in how the Academy views puppetry and voice acting. Fans of Project Hail Mary may start to believe that the times are changing. The potential nomination could also generate early buzz for next year’s Oscars, following a dip in U.S. ratings for the 98th Academy Awards, which hit a four-year low.
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