Ryan Gosling turned down dark roles because of his daughters

Ryan Gosling gave a long interview to the Wall Street Journal, in which he admitted that he is no longer attracted to complex psychological roles with unexpected turns in the characters' behavior. The actor, who became famous in the past for playing various kinds of outsiders, made this reorientation for the benefit of his family. Together with actress Eva Mendes, he is now raising two daughters – nine-year-old Esmeralda and seven-year-old Amada. Filming in the melodrama “Barbie” and recently in the action movie “Stunt Men” confirms the changes that have occurred in Gosling’s career.

“I really don’t take roles that would take me to a dark place,” Ryan said. “Usually when I read the script out loud at home, I start to understand whether it will be good for all of us. The decision I make, I make together with Eve. And we do this, thinking, first of all, about our family.”

According to the actor, the first film in a series of “light” roles for him was “La La Land” (2016). “I thought then, ‘Oh, this will be fun for them (the kids) too. Because even if they're not on set, we'll be practicing piano or dancing or singing every day,” Ryan added. Esmeralda and Amada's interest in the Barbie movie and lack of interest in one of its characters, the Ken doll, also served as inspiration for Gosling: “I remembered that they were already making little videos about their Barbies on iPads. So when I went to work (to film Barbie), I felt like we were connected.”

In the upcoming film Stunt Men, Gosling plays a Hollywood stunt master who agrees to work on the upcoming blockbuster to win back the love of his life, director Emily Blunt. Film critics have already praised his work, noting his undeniable comedic talent. “Stunt Men is a funny and sexy film that showcases a boyish version of Barbie star Ryan Gosling, who has become the ultimate action hero since playing Kena,” wrote Variety writer Peter DeBruge. – This is the charismatic side of Gosling that the audience adores (as opposed to Gosling, who is stingy with emotions in the film “Only God Forgives”, 2013). And despite the fact that his character is not very deep, you couldn’t find a better actor for the role.” The film studio Universal Pictures has scheduled the premiere of “Stunt Men” for May 3rd.

The most interesting thing is that not everyone agreed with Gosling’s change of role. For example, the famous director Oliver Stone said after watching “Barbie” that the actor was going the wrong way. “Ryan is wasting his time doing this kind of crap for money. He should star in more serious films. He shouldn't be part of the infantilization of Hollywood. Now it’s all fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, including war films: fantasy, fantasy,” Stone said in an interview with City AM.