Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, directors of the film Project Hail Mary, said their science fiction movie aims to showcase the heartwarming power of understanding and acceptance.
The film was released worldwide last Friday, grossing more than 140 million U.S. dollars in its opening weekend.
Not only has the film performed strongly at the box office, but it has also pushed the boundaries of science fiction with its heartwarming touch.
In the film, as the protagonist's only companion in the cosmos, Rocky's exterior is composed of irregular rocks, yet his personality is lively and endearing.
In an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV) via video link, Miller and Lord said that to visualize this unique alien creature, they turned to the natural world for inspiration.
"We looked at lots of like minerals and like chrysoprase rough, which is a gemstone. And we loved the way that like there were veins of like pretty gemstones amongst more regular sandstone and rock," said Lord.
In addition to its exterior design, Rocky's body language is equally distinctive.
"The way that he moves is sometimes animal-like and sometimes it's like a cat or a dog, but also sometimes he's like a person. And then he also has ways of moving that are from his own alien culture that were invented by us and James Ortiz, the lead puppeteer who portrayed rocky," said Miller.
When two vastly different beings meet in space, their differences do not create a barrier; instead, they bring them closer together. With its imaginative sci-fi premise, the film tells the story of a friendship that transcends species.
"That's something that we can take with us in the world, as we come across people who are different from us and find common ground and make accommodations for each other and try and see the world through their eyes, and then pretty much anything is possible," said Miller.
U.S. science fiction movie tells story of heartwarming power
