Ryan Gosling has taken on a variety of roles throughout his career, from romantic leads and action-packed heroes to intense characters that have left a lasting impact. But after participating in Only God Forgives following Drive, he realized there was something about these darker roles he didn’t want to revisit. The reason behind this decision?
It wasn’t just about the challenges of the role itself. Gosling explained that it was more about how it affected him mentally, and how that spilled over into his personal life.
How did only Only God Forgives change the way Ryan Gosling chooses roles?
Ryan Gosling has always been the kind of actor who can do just about anything. Whether it’s a heart-wrenching love story, a fast-paced action movie, or a musical that has everyone singing along, he has never let himself be boxed into one type of role. Early on in his career, he became known as the ultimate romantic lead thanks to The Notebook.
It was the kind of role that could have kept him in that lane forever. But Gosling wasn’t interested in doing the same thing over and over again.
Instead, he took a sharp turn into something completely different and participated in movies like Drive and Only God Forgives. In these films, he barely spoke, but his characters still had a powerful presence. They were quiet and often violent, and that shift in his career made people see him in a whole new light.
Looking back, Gosling admitted in an interview via Indie Wire that violent films had a huge impact on him growing up. He shared:
I was highly influenced by violence. When I was a kid, I saw Rambo: First Blood, and the next day, I took knives to school and threw them at everybody. So I was definitely influenced by violent films before “Drive.” For me it’s been a completely new way of working. It’s a new kind of film language that I’m not really adept at.
In another interview via Movie Guide, Gosling elaborated on why he no longer takes on dark roles, sharing that he actively avoids projects that could put him in a negative headspace. He emphasized that his decisions are now made with his family in mind, explaining that he and his partner, Eva Mendes, carefully consider what is best for their household before committing to any new project.
This shift in perspective first became evident with La La Land. Gosling later reflected that the film felt like the right choice not just for him but for his family as well. Even though his children weren’t on set, the process of preparing for the role, such as learning to play the piano, practicing dance routines, and singing became something they could all share.
Glen Powell responds to Ryan Gosling comparisons with humility
Glen Powell had been gaining attention in Hollywood with his roles in Twisters and not long ago, he was compared to Ryan Gosling. However, instead of letting the comparison get to his head, Powell responded with respect and humility, recognizing that Gosling was a true legend in the industry.
The comparison started when a Hollywood producer spoke to The Wrap and mentioned that Powell had broad appeal to both male and female audiences, unlike Gosling, whose popularity was often thought to be more focused on female viewers. The producer praised Powell for his versatility, especially with Twisters performing well at the box office and his upcoming roles in other big projects.
But Powell didn’t take this as an opportunity to boast. On X, he humbly responded:
Gosling is a legend.
I’m just Glen. https://t.co/Mhj0G2jyfU— Glen Powell (@glenpowell) August 27, 2024
Apart from this, Powell also shared on social media how much he had loved going to the movies as a kid, spending entire days at the theater because they had the best air conditioning. He said via Indie Wire, “So seeing the universal response to Twisters has really been a dream come true.”
What stood out about Powell was his genuine love for movies. Whether he was acting in them or simply enjoying them as a fan, his passion for cinema was evident. Instead of getting caught up in comparisons with other actors, Powell focused on doing what he loved and taking on roles that inspired him.
You can watch Only God Forgives on Apple TV and Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
