Why Ryan Gosling Doesn’t Take On ‘Dark’ Roles Anymore
Ryan Gosling is proving more and more that he is all about his family. The Fall Guy star spoke to The Wall Street Journal on Thursday (May 2) about the future of his acting career.
With two young daughters, Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 8, whom he shares with longtime partner Eva Mendes, he takes a lot into consideration before choosing his next movie role.
Why Ryan Gosling Won’t Take On ‘Dark’ Roles
As it has been noticeable, Gosling’s latest roles have been light-hearted in his recent work in films like The Fall Guy, Barbie, and La La Land. His darker roles in 2013 and earlier include Only God Forgives, The Place Beyond the Pines, Drive, and Blue Valentine, just to name a few.
The 43-year-old actor told the publication that he has decided not to take on roles “that are going to put me in some kind of dark place.” He adds that “this moment” is what he feels is best for his family and their life at home. “The decisions I make, I make them with Eva, and we make them with our family in mind first.”
Gosling and Mendes, 50, met prior to starring together in 2012’s The Place Beyond the Pines, and have been reportedly married since 2022. He told WSJ that since having kids, he’s been “way more conscious of everything” he has done and will do.
Gosling Is In Full-On Dad Mode
The Barbie star added that 2016’s La La Land was the first film he signed on with a different perspective in mind since having children. He thought that his daughters had fun practicing piano with him, dancing, and singing with him at home.
Then, with 2023’s Barbie, his daughters were hilariously more interested in Barbie than Ken. He took that inspiration, as they were already making little movies about their Barbies on the iPad, so his going off to work to make one, too, made him feel like they were “aligned.”
“I’m trying to just figure out who they are and be there for them in the way that I can,” he said. “They’re such clear and distinct personalities that it’s sort of becoming obvious,” adding sweetly, “You just want to be everything they deserve.”
In addition to wanting what is best for his family, the Canadian actor said he also now focuses on taking roles that he’s actually passionate about that will reach a wider audience. Reflecting on his past work, he admits he was “just trying to pay the bills and work.” In the last few years, Gosling realized he has the opportunity to make the kinds of films “that made me love movies.”
