Saoirse Ronan recently appeared on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast and remembered the dramatic casting switch that occurred during the making of Peter Jackson’s “The Lovely Bones.” The director originally cast Ryan Gosling as the father of Ronan’s protagonist, but the actor was replaced by Mark Wahlberg just days before filming after Jackson disagreed with Gosling’s decision to gain 60 pounds for the role.
Jackson never started filming “The Lovely Bones” with Gosling, but Ronan revealed the cast had already “done some prep” by the time Gosling got fired. Ronan had bonded with Gosling and was sad to see him ago.
“I think I just loved Ryan and his dog, George, and I was just sad that, you know, he wasn’t gonna be around,” Ronan said. “But I think the reasons why they parted were totally valid, and I’ve spoken to both [Gosling and Jackson] now and it happens. Do you know what I mean? It’s not personal, necessarily. It’s like sometimes you’re just not on the same page.”
“Mark was able to step in, and he was a father,” Ronan added. “He was a father to, like, I don’t know, three kids? He probably had an experience of that that Ryan felt he didn’t. Ryan was like 27. He was young.”
Ronan would get the chance to work with Gosling a few years later when he cast her to lead his directorial debut “Lost River.”
Gosling spoke to THR a year after “The Lovely Bones” opened in theaters and revealed his firing was due to his weight gain. The actor explained: “We had a different idea of how the character should look. I really believed he should be 210 pounds. We didn’t talk very much during the preproduction process, which was the problem.”
“It was a huge movie, and there’s so many things to deal with, and he couldn’t deal with the actors individually,” Gosling added. “I just showed up on set, and I had gotten it wrong. Then I was fat and unemployed.”
Watch Ronan’s full interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in the video below.
Saoirse Ronan Has Thoughts On Why Ryan Gosling Was Fired From ‘The Lovely Bones’
Mark Wahlberg replaced Gosling as the grief-stricken father of Ronan’s murdered teen character in the 2009 supernatural drama.
Fifteen years after the release of “The Lovely Bones,” Saoirse Ronan is reflecting on the movie casting that almost was.
The four-time Academy Award nominee starred in the 2009 film adaptation of Alice Sebold’s supernatural novel as Susie Salmon, a murdered teen who narrates her story from the afterlife as her family members attempt to track down her killer.
Appearing on this week’s episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Ronan spoke about Ryan Gosling’s much-publicized departure from “The Lovely Bones” shortly before filming began.
“I just loved Ryan and his dog, George, and was just sad that, you know, he wasn’t going to be around,” she said. “But I think the reasons why they parted were totally valid. I’ve spoken to both now … it happens. It’s not personal, necessarily. It’s like sometimes you’re just not on the same page.”
Gosling had been set to appear in “The Lovely Bones” as Susie’s grief-stricken father, Jack Salmon. Just days before production began, however, the “Half Nelson” actor was fired by director Peter Jackson, who replaced him with Mark Wahlberg.
Ultimately, Ronan feels that Wahlberg ― who was, by then, a father of three children ― was a better fit for the role of Jack.
“He probably had an experience … that Ryan felt like he didn’t,” she said.
In 2010, Gosling acknowledged he’d “gotten it wrong” as far as his physical preparation for “The Lovely Bones” was concerned.
“We had a different idea of how the character should look. I really believed he should be 210 pounds,” he told The Hollywood Reporter at the time, also revealing he’d gained 60 pounds on a diet of melted Häagen-Dazs ice cream for the part.
After noting he and Jackson “didn’t talk very much during the preproduction process, which was the problem,” Gosling added: “I just showed up on set, and I had gotten it wrong. Then I was fat and unemployed.”
Despite not appearing in “The Lovely Bones,” Gosling went on to direct Ronan in his 2015 film, “Lost River,” which also starred his wife, Eva Mendes.
Elsewhere in her “Happy Sad Confused” interview, Ronan acknowledged fearing she’d be fired from Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film, “Lady Bird.”
“My mom flew over at one stage because I was so anxious,” she said. “I don’t know if [Gerwig] knows that, actually.”
“She’s Going Too Far,” Nicole Kidman Stuns in a Nude Corset on the Red Carpet, but Her Appearance Sparks Heated Controversy
Nicole Kidman is once again showing that age is just a number. The 57-year-old actress graced the Venice Film Festival red carpet, looking as stunning as ever while flaunting her toned physique. Her designer outfit turned heads globally, though one particular detail has sparked concern among some.
Nicole Kidman made a striking appearance on the red carpet once again. The Big Little Lies star, 57, wowed at the Venice Film Festival on August 29 during the screening of her latest film Babygirl, where she stars alongside Harris Dickinson.
For the premiere, Kidman stunned in a Schiaparelli Couture Fall 2024 creation, featuring a lace-up corset bodice with a structured waist, sequin fringe, and intricate beadwork. The gown’s back showcased a daring slit, offering a glimpse of her sleek black pumps, completing the high-fashion look.
Nicole’s look has garnered admiration from many fans. “You look so young in this picture, and I love the dress — so dimensional,” one fan gushed. Another added, “How does she stay so thin at her age and look so good?! Wow!”
However, some fans expressed concern about her appearance. “I just noticed, are those bones sticking out on her hips?” one person questioned. Another commented, “She looks desperately underweight and also looks extremely proud of this fact. We have made so little progress when it comes to society’s perception of the ideal female body. For a while there, it looked like ’strong, not skinny’ might take off, but no. We’re back to starvation and corsets in this ’progressive’ world of ours.”
Some users also commented on the actress’s face, saying, “She’s a gorgeous woman, and if she just aged naturally, she’d still be gorgeous rather than artificial-looking.” Another person agreed, “She’s going too far with whatever she’s doing to her face.”
Nevertheless, Nicole Kidman continues to demonstrate her status as a fashion icon, boldly embracing daring choices that ignite conversations. Most recently, she captivated audiences in a breathtaking nude gown.
Her fans were quick to express their admiration on social media, with one particularly enthusiastic supporter addressing the critics by stating, “I don’t care what everyone is saying. That color is amazing on her. One of her best looks.”
The admiration continued to pour in, as fans praised her timeless elegance with comments like, “Nicole never disappoints with her looks,” and “Endless beauty, true elegance, and always stunning with true class.” Kidman’s bold fashion choice clearly resonated with her followers, further solidifying her reputation as a style icon who never fails to impress and inspire.
Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman’s latest Netflix project, in which she stars alongside Zac Efron, has generated significant buzz.
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