Ryan Gosling has pulled out of an upcoming Universal Pictures event film directed by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, known as The Daniels.
The 45-year-old Oscar-nominated actor withdrew from the yet-untitled project just weeks after his casting was announced. Production had planned to shoot in Los Angeles to secure a California tax credit, with filming set to begin this summer. However, the fixed start date created a scheduling conflict for Gosling, known for roles in Barbie, The Fall Guy, and The Notebook.
Project Moves Forward Without Gosling
The Daniels remain on track with the untitled film, targeting a release on November 19, 2027. Insiders note that replacing Gosling should be straightforward, given his strong endorsement of the script. The filmmakers are producing through their Daniels’ Playgrounds banner alongside Jonathan Wang.
Plot details stay under wraps, but Kwan described the movie at SXSW as “very existential and a fun sci-fi action comedy with a big heart.” He added that audiences can expect “all those things that you would hope that one of our movies would be.”
Cultural shifts have influenced revisions, Kwan explained: “One of the reasons why it’s taking so long is because what we’re feeling and what we’re hearing from the world is very complex and really nuanced, and there’s so much paradox. To kind of reconcile all those things and put them into one movie, it takes time.”
The film will feature an ensemble cast of younger talent around high school age, according to reports.
Gosling’s Packed Schedule
Gosling recently promoted his sci-fi hit Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. The Amazon MGM release, co-starring Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Milana Vayntrub, and Ken Leung, has grossed over $334 million worldwide since its March 20 theatrical debut.
Next, the Canadian star joins Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and featuring Amy Adams and Mia Goth. This George Lucas franchise entry arrives in theaters next year.
