Weep not for Ryan Gosling (pictured, left), who got snubbed by the Oscars this morning when he failed to score a Best Actor nomination for Lars and the Real Girl. Not only does he already have another movie on the horizon, but he could be up for a major paycheck and a franchise role. According to Moviehole, he’s due to replace Ben Affleck (and Harrison Ford, pictured right, and Alec Baldwin) in Paramount’s forthcoming, non-Tom Clancy-sanctioned Jack Ryan spy thriller.
Now, this is still very much in the just-a-rumor stage, but if it’s true, I have some qualms. Sure, Gosling could do an excellent job; I’m one of those people who think there’s very little this protean actor can’t do. But I’d hate to see him tied down to a franchise role that would put him on a dumb-action-blockbuster path and keep him from doing more interesting work in quirky indie movies à la Lars and Half Nelson. (That, after all, is what happened to Ben Affleck.) Still, I can’t begrudge him the occasional Notebook or Fracture. Dude’s gotta eat.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Would you want to see Gosling as Jack Ryan? Or is there someone else you’d rather see take over the role from Affleck/Ford/Baldwin?
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Seriously??? is this really an issue. its not like he cant make both indie and summer megahit movies. look at Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. it hasnt hurt their careers
I actually think you’ve got it all wrong Gary.
Not only do I not mind Ryan Gosling doing this kind of big-budget action role, but I think it’s a good thing for two reasons.
1. Just because you’re producing a big-budget action flick that isn’t necessarily anyone’s idea of an acting exercise, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good actor to keep things grounded. In fact, I think it helps tremendously. Christian Bale (Batman), Daniel Craig (James Bond) are good actors who’ve taken on and improved big-budget franchises (wait for Robert Downey Jr. to do the same with “Iron Man” next year)
2. Like you said, “dude’s gotta eat”. But also, by sprinkling in the occasional big studio movie, he’ll almost certainly get a higher payday which will give him all the freedom in the world to act in (or even produce if he wants) his true passion projects. It’s the old “one for me, one for them” idea.
Don’t focus too much on the Affleck side of the equation – remember a fellow named Matt Damon and the highly successful Bourne flicks? George Clooney is another example of someone who can mix entertainment with art – and be wholly successful in both.
Who cares? I don’t get whole Ryan Gosling thing
Ryan could do big budget action franhcise and still retain great indie roles. Look at George Clooney.
It would be the first time I’ve seen one of the Jack Ryan series since Harrison Ford. The series may be big budget/big action but Ford was able to bring nuances to the character that other actors never could have brought out.
The idea of Ryan Gosling as a thinking woman’s action star? Makes me want to line up for tickets NOW.
Totally disagree – he can do it. He just needs to forget Ben Affleck and focus on Matt Damon, who has starred in a hugely successful franchise and only increased his credibility. My only qualm? He looks TINY – like teeny-tiny! Who will play his nemesis, Elijah Wood?
What a boring choice. They can do better.
I would LOVE to see him in this, never thought of him as an action star, but he can so do it…This reminds me of how excited I was when they cast Christian Bale as Batman
It beats Affleck, but barely. Neither of them can approach Ford’s work in the role. As for Gosling himself, that horrible Notebook movie continues to keep me a safe distance from anything he’s in. Sorry.
I’ll see anything Ryan Gosling stars in.
They can cast Bozo the Clown for all I care. If Tom Clancy isn’t on board for this one, I won’t watch it anyway.
i enjoyed fracture
I agree with other posters that Ryan Gosling in this role could be similar to and just as successful as Christian Bale, Matt Damon, and Daniel Craig with Batman, Bourne, and Bond. However, I am curious about Tom Clancy not being involved or even sanctioning the project? Will it be a reboot to the franchise? A new movie that is wholly unrelated to Clancy’s Jack Ryan timeline/storyline? I’d also want to know who is writing the script (well, who eventually will write the script) and directing.
Sure dude’s gotta eat, but dude’s also gotta become a ‘name’. If he’s smart he’ll do it, stay clear of the Ben Affleck career path and try to keep up with his quirky choices. Roles like this don’t come up all the time. Hey, the notebook was a good movie.
I like Ryan Gosling as an actor. He’s quirky. But Jack Ryan is not a quirky character. Jake Gyllenhal would make more sense or Josh Hartnett.
DanOregon…
You completely had me until you said Josh Hartnett. Ugh! Honestly, can anybody tell me what that guy has ever done to keep getting lead roles in movies with talented casts?! He’s awful!
(Don’t worry, in my next post, I’ll tell you how I really feel about Josh Hartnett)