Project Hail Mary has become 2026's biggest cinematic surprise, grossing $322 million worldwide and earning a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score. Ryan Gosling's performance as reluctant astronaut Ryland Grace has captivated audiences, but it's his chemistry with Rocky, an alien creature who becomes his unlikely best friend, that has truly stolen hearts across the galaxy.
Ryan Gosling has now shared his favorite line from the film and apparently, it was completely improvised in a heartwarming on-set moment that was probably never supposed to make the final cut.
Ryan Gosling shares his favorite Rocky line
During an interview with Hits Radio, Gosling was asked about his favorite line from the film. His response revealed a delightful behind-the-scenes story:
"It's ‘Rocky hate Mark.' I work with a guy named Mark and we've worked together for 10 years and he was next to the camera and I was improvising with Rocky about my ex-girlfriend and I just said, 'Oh yeah, but now she's with Mark'. And then James [Ortiz] said, 'Rocky hate Mark.' And we just did it to make my friend feel seen, but it made it in the movie and so that's a fun Easter egg for me."
The line appears during one of the film's most touching scenes, when Rocky and Grace open up about their lives back home on their respective planets.
Grace asks Rocky what he misses most about home and Rocky mentions his mate. Grace is surprised to learn about Rocky's relationship and asks what their name is. The conversation then turns to Grace himself, does he have a mate?
Grace admits that he did have a girlfriend once, but she thought he had his head in the clouds. But now she's with Mark. Rocky's response is immediate without missing a beat as he says: "Rocky hate Mark."
It's a moment of pure friendship, showing Rocky's instant loyalty and solidarity with Grace. The comedic timing is perfect and the sincerity is adorable. It's the kind of unconditional support that defines their entire friendship throughout the film.
'Mark' is Ryan Gosling's long-time friend Mark Avery
What makes this moment even more special is knowing it was created to honor Mark Avery, Gosling's longtime costumer who has worked with the actor for a decade. Avery was standing next to the camera during the scene and Gosling spontaneously wove his name into the improvisation.
James Ortiz, who performed and voiced Rocky, immediately responded in character, creating a moment that felt so authentic it made it all the way through editing and into theaters.
Avery told SYFY Wire that he laughed at the moment and never imagined it would appear in the finished film. Now, it will be a fun trivia moment for years to come.
Filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller encouraged long improvisational takes during production, sometimes lasting 45 minutes, which allowed Gosling and Ortiz to play off each other like theater actors.
The result is a relationship that feels genuinely lived-in and authentic. Rocky was physically present on set for every scene, with Ortiz and his team of puppeteers (dubbed "the Rockyteers") bringing the character to life in real-time.
Project Hail Mary is now playing in theaters.