Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJacob StolworthyWednesday 22 April 2026 11:56 BSTProject Hail Mary: Personal SpacePuppeteer James Ortiz is being submitted for Best Supporting Actor at the 99th Academy Awards for his role as Rocky in the film Project Hail Mary.This represents a landmark decision, as the Oscars have never previously nominated a puppeteer, voice actor, or motion-capture performance in a main acting category.Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, achieved critical and box office success, with much praise directed at the friendship between Gosling's character and Rocky.Ortiz's eligibility is based on current rules, as puppeteers fall under the Screen Actors' Guild jurisdiction; he will also be eligible for the Baftas but not the Golden Globes.The move reignites a long-standing debate regarding whether technical performances should be considered in major acting categories, referencing past discussions around actors like Andy Serkis.In fullAnd the Oscar goes to... a rock alien? Project Hail Mary puppeteer eligible for landmark Academy award nodThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in