The Empire Film Podcast Because Spice (ft. guests Phil Lord & Chris Miller)
9 snips
Mar 20, 2026 
Chris Miller, director-producer known for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Spider-Verse, and Phil Lord, writer-director behind The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, chat about Project Hail Mary. They talk puppetry and practical effects, adapting Andy Weir’s book for screen, blending CGI with real creatures, and working with Ryan Gosling. Short, playful conversations about filmmaking craft and production choices.
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Meeting Rocky Felt Immediately Real
- Phil Lord and Chris Miller described meeting Rocky the puppet and how it immediately felt alive on set.
- Phil said the puppet reduced everyone to childlike wonder and they forgot the handlers, creating genuine reactions from cast and crew.
Puppetry Anchored Rocky's Emotional Chemistry
- Lord and Miller say using a practical puppet anchored Rocky's emotional chemistry with Ryan Gosling.
- They balanced roughly 50/50 puppetry and CGI so animators had a photographed baseline performance to enhance.
They Read The Book Overnight And Said Yes
- Chris Miller and Phil Lord described staying up early to finish Andy Weir's novel and immediately deciding to make the film.
- Chris confessed he read until five a.m., called Phil the next morning, and both agreed Project Hail Mary was their next movie.