In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Ryan Gosling disclosed his unconventional filmmaking technique for his latest project. The Fall Guy actor revealed he utilized his two young daughters, Esmeralda Amada (11) and Amada Lee (9), alongside Eva Mendes to assist him during the filming of Project Hail Mary.
The science fiction adventure stars Gosling as a teacher tasked with saving humanity from an alien threat. For scenes requiring a break in reality or additional humor, his kids would enter the room and speak for the character’s on-screen nemesis, Rocky, allowing Gosling to maintain composure while playing multiple roles.
“When I was filming and needed a change of pace, my children would pop their heads into the scene,” Gosling explained. “They’d pretend to be Rocky, so I could interact with them as Rocky without breaking character.”
The father shared that some particularly impactful moments in Project Hail Mary involved his daughters providing critical feedback on different versions of the film. “I’ve seen several iterations of this movie,” he admitted, acknowledging their invaluable input.
Reflecting on pre-production, Gosling chuckled at a moment from early stages of shooting when his daughter Esmeralda noted: “‘You look smart in glasses,’ she said with a smile.” Gosling’s response was candid yet heartfelt. “I needed to be sharp and intelligent in this role,” he said, grateful for her helpful observation.
His daughters’ participation underscored not only the importance of creative collaboration but also highlighted Gosling’s dedication to bringing his characters to life.