RYAN GOSLING - WHAT'S NEXT? INTERVIEW By JACK WELLINGTON
Ryan Gosling, Hollywood's quintessential leading man, has experienced a journey from child star to Oscar-nominated actor which is nothing short of cinematic itself.
His latest project, The Fall Guy, promises to add another fascinating chapter to an illustrious career as he steps into a realm that blends action with emotional depth, a territory he navigates easily.
Playing the reimagining of the character Colt Seavers—initially played by Lee Majors in the 1980s television series—as an audacious and charismatic individual, it seems to mirror Gosling's journey in the industry: fearless, captivating, and continually evolving.
The Canadian actor and musician started his career on The Mickey Mouse Club and transitioned smoothly into adult roles. His breakthrough performance in The Notebook solidified his place as a romantic lead and showcased his remarkable versatility.
This adaptability became his hallmark, evident in roles ranging from a charming but troubled lover in Blue Valentine to a stoic stunt driver in Drive. His portrayal of a jazz musician in La La Land earned him an Academy Award nomination, affirming his status as one of the finest actors of his generation.
However, his life is not confined to the glitz of movie sets. His partnership with actress Eva Mendes, away from the public eye, is a testament to his ability to balance a demanding career with a personal life.
Together, they share two daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, grounding his life in a reality far removed from the dazzling lights of Hollywood.
He is not just an actor who plays a part but a storyteller who lives through his art, an artist who paints his canvas with every role, and a family man who cherishes the simple joys of life.
With his Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and his Oscar performance of the Oscar Best Song Nomination "I'm Just Ken" with Mark Ronson, Slash, and Wolfgang Van Halen from the March Oscar Awards, Gosling is kicking his career into high gear. Who knows what's in store for the years to come?
STRIPLV: The Fall Guy will be familiar to people of a certain age. How does this compare to the television show of the 1980s? GOSLING: Yeah, there will be quite a few who aren't aware of it as I'm not sure how often it's been repeated on cable TV or whatever. Essentially it's based on the capabilities of Lee Majors' character, Colt Seavers. He consistently managed to outsmart others, despite being underestimated and not viewed as someone capable of accomplishing much. Yet, he always managed to achieve his goals, and often just in time. The show was notable for executing impressive, large-scale practical stunts on a weekly basis, and we've brought a bit of that playfulness into the film, though I would like to say it stands on its own merits. STRIPLV: We've been lucky enough to see some of the stunts you've been doing yourself, especially on the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. GOSLING: Absolutely, that was me. However, the stunt performers executed some of the most dreamlike, I would think, career-defining stunts for themselves, which is often not feasible in contemporary filmmaking. Nowadays, due to health and safety and the skills of computer-generated imagery, stunts like these are rarely performed. Yet, this was an extraordinary experience, allowing these stunts to be carried out for real, a great things for stunt professionals present, and the actors. I think there is that thing when you go back and do a film or a series from the past. Sure, you can reinvent it in the modern day, but a part of you always wants to show respect to the people who first envisioned the idea by being as true and loyal to the original idea and the original techniques as possible. And I think that's pretty cool. The stunts include a remarkable cannon roll, an astounding high fall, and a breathtaking car jump over a massive crevasse, which truly is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. With regards to my one, we decided that if we were going to go to the extent of closing down the Harbour Bridge from 3 a.m. until about 10 a.m., we needed to do something truly spectacular. In that particular scene, you can see me being towed behind a garbage truck at 40mph. That's something I'm happy not to have to do again. STRIPLV: Those who have seen your interviews and press appearances with Russell Crowe—such as the legendary awards ceremony and Stephen Colbert's Show appearances—could be forgiven for thinking you're always just clowning around. However, you are very dedicated to your craft and a serious actor who loves the art of collaboration, aren't you? GOSLING: Yes, I really am. I like to make sure that I am putting my all into any project and that the alignment between an actor's vision and the director's vision is crucial. My experience working on Drive typifies this perfectly. The film's director, Nicolas Winding Refn, had a distinct vision, and we spent extensive hours exploring L.A., taking in the vibes and listening to music that we felt matched Drive's intended atmosphere. This wasn't just about the narrative; it was about sharing a collective experience that became a cornerstone for the movie. When a director can articulate their vision so clearly, it makes the process so much easier for an actor. You gain a deep understanding of the film's essence and then understand how you can contribute meaningfully. STRIPLV: Was that something you also did for Barbie with Greta Gerwig? GOSLING: Oh, Greta's brilliance and her extraordinary, unique vision for the film were fascinating. She possesses an inspiring clarity in her direction, making it an irresistible opportunity for any actor. Her approach to filmmaking not only enhances the creative process but also fosters a very cool, very collaborative environment where everyone involved is deeply connected to the project. This kind of director-actor harmony is what elevates a film from good to unforgettable. STRIPLV: You've been familiar with action movies in the past, with The Gray Man on your CV recently. GOSLING: It felt like the right time to do a genuine action movie. It's not the sort of project I have been a part of in this sense and the experience was very enjoyable. As an actor, I always want to push myself into new areas, and the cast was such that I knew this would be played out beautifully. Chris Evans, as a nemesis, is probably one of the best you can imagine, so from minute one this was a lot of fun. STRIPLV: Because of that, does it make you feel less stereotyped in terms of the type of actor you are? GOSLING: I never wanted to be known just for one thing. I have tried to evolve who I am over the years, both in terms of the genre of film and also within a film, getting really deep into a character. Obviously, with a project like Gray Man, there isn't so much deep stuff going on – it's just wholesome action warfare, and that's what made it really enjoyable. STRIPLV: How about you changing or adapting your physique for these roles? GOSLING: I didn't really have to do too much differently for the role. I did undergo a gym program, but even away from projects, l like to keep myself in shape, so I had no doubts I could pull off the role. STRIPLV: Now that you've done The Fall Guy, will you pursue this genre in the future? GOSLING: I think the success of The Gray Man, for example, means we will be looking at sequel territory, so that is obviously on the cards. I must admit I did have more fun on this than I thought I would. It used a different level of investment on my part and that was really satisfying. STRIPLV: How about your movie choices? How do you choose which ones you eventually commit to? Do you have a process? GOSLING: When it comes to selecting scripts, I have a few steps that I will always take. The question I ask myself is always, "When you read the script, is there a story to be told? Does it stand on its own? Is there something useful in here?" That's the crux of it for me, usually. STRIPLV: Did it take time to get used to the LA machine? GOSLING: At first, it felt a little strange, and it was a mysterious kind of place. I had gotten to know Los Angeles from watching a lot of movies, but it still took me a long time to get used to the city. It's the obvious place to go if you're trying to become an actor but the whole notion of being a movie star is part of the myth-making process that goes on in the film business. You create this great illusion on screen, and then the illusion is taken to a different level when actors become mythologized. I don't even think of myself as particularly good looking and not at all a typical kind of Hollywood leading man sort of actor, although my mother says otherwise! STRIPLV: You were raised by your mother and your older sister. What was that experience like? GOSLING: I had a great time growing up. My mother is a strong woman, and when I was having problems fitting into school, she decided to take me out and home-school me. That was probably the most beautiful thing that could have happened to me, and I was able to learn how to study thanks to my mother. I also learned a lot about myself. I didn't grow up in a conventional way. I never hung out with the cool kids or the tough kids at school, and after I started working on TV, some of the kids at my school would bully me and tease me every day. I would have to take ballet classes to learn dance moves for my work (on the Mickey Mouse Club show), and obviously, stuff like that was going to make me a target at school. STRIPLV: You seem to be someone who takes the industry seriously. Is that a fair comment? GOSLING: Yeah, that's pretty fair and true. It's something that is conditioned in me. I have always been quite serious about acting and earning a living, even if I'm in funny movies. I think I have chilled out a lot over the past few years. The longer you're in the game, the more you realize you're secure but also that the things you used to fret over don't really matter as much as you thought they did! STRIPLV: Making funny films must help that mindset. GOSLING: I like doing comedies. I like looking at things differently and I've always had a good sense of humor. I did some comedies earlier in my career and it came to me pretty naturally. So, I'm comfortable doing those kinds of movies. Sometimes, I can get into a frame of mind where I want to do very dark and intense stories, and then it's nice to do lighter stuff. STRIPLV: Has stardom changed you as a person? GOSLING: I try to enjoy my life and enjoy the experience of meeting people who appreciate movies and who also like my work. I don't think I've really changed my way of looking at what I do or how I see my life. What does change is the way the world sees you and how they've already developed a specific impression of who you are, and when people meet you, they feel they know you personally. That's a strange feeling sometimes but I try to be as natural as possible when people come up to me and want to talk. It's part of the game. STRIPLV: Finally, fatherhood. Please tell us what that's like for you. GOSLING: It's like being in paradise. I'm so lucky. The birth of Esmeralda and Amada Lee radically changed my life, which becomes more beautiful every day than I ever imagined. Every day, getting to spend time with them is so exciting. I never really thought that being a father would be such a wonderful thing.
RANKING RYAN'S ROLES The top six movies as ranked by the popular film and TV ratings site Rotten Tomatoes
ONE Drive (released 2011) – rated 93% This perennial favorite sees Gosling as a stuntman and getaway driver in Los Angeles, entangled in a dangerous heist that threatens his life. His skillful driving and stoic demeanor become pivotal as he navigates the city's criminal underworld to protect those he cares about.
TWO La La Land (2016) – 91% Gosling plays Sebastian, a passionate jazz musician struggling to make his mark. Amidst the dazzling backdrop of Los Angeles, Sebastian falls in love with Emma Stone's aspiring actress, Mia, as they explore themes of ambition, love, and the pursuit of dreams.
THREE The Nice Guys (2016) – 91% As bumbling private detective Holland March, Gosling teams up with a tough enforcer, played by Russell Crowe, to solve a missing girl's case in 1970s Los Angeles. They uncover a sprawling conspiracy in the comedic, action-packed process.
FOUR Half Nelson (2006) – 91% The Canadian portrays the life of Dan Dunne, a middle school teacher in Brooklyn struggling with drug addiction. His life intertwines with a student who discovers his secret, leading to a complex relationship that challenges and changes their lives.
FIVE The Big Short (2015) – 89% Gosling plays Jared Vennett, a slick Wall Street banker who plays a crucial role in identifying the impending collapse of the housing market. His actions help set off a chain of bets against the mortgage bubble, exposing the corruption and greed underlying the financial crisis.
SIX Barbie (2023) – 88% Set in a vibrant, fantastical universe, Ken (Gosling) and Barbie (Margot Robbie) embark on an adventurous journey that challenges their perceptions and roles in their perfect plastic world with charm and humor.