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When considering the filmography of contemporary leading stars, Ryan Gosling strikes one as particularly intriguing. TheBarbiealum’s repertoire as an actor showcases the versatility he possesses. The 43-year-old actor seems to have done it all, starring in everything from romantic dramas and romantic comedies to neo-noir action comedies, sci-fi, thrillers, and even crime dramas.
Read more:Ryan Gosling Breaks Silence On Barbie 2
You’d be shocked to know that among these was the MCU’s 2016 Benedict Cumberbatch starrerDoctor Strange,for which theLa La Landstar was in discussions to embody the titular role. If this hasn’t stunned you yet, perhaps throwingSuicide Squadin the mix would? Jared Leto’s bizarre iteration of the Joker was initially proposed to Gosling!
But these possibilities fell through for specific reasons. Let’s understand why.
Ryan Gosling Was In Discussions To Star InDoctor Strange(2016)
A protracted casting process defined the endeavor’s pre-production before the firstDoctor Strangefilm could begin with its filming. Director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter Jon Spaihts had their eyes set on to-be leading starBenedict Cumberbatchfrom the beginning. Nailing Stephen Strange’s casting was crucial for his role in future MCU endeavors, and Cumberbatch was seen as best-fitted to embody the part.
At the moment, though, theSherlockalum’s participation appeared bleak despite significant media championing. This is because he had declared his commitment to other engagements, namely a London production ofHamlet. (viaMTV)
Soon,Joaquin Phoenixwould enter the ring as a likely contender. However, the actor would eventually back out, prompting Marvel to look for more faces. The studio reportedly considered names like Jared Leto, Ethan Hawke, Keanu Reeves, Oscar Isaac, Jake Gyllenhaal, etc. Amidst the search,Ryan Goslingalso entered the picture.
Read more:Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s Ocean’s Prequel Reportedly Directly Linked to George Clooney and Sandra Bullock to Keep Franchise Alive!
THRclaims that at the time, it appeared as though theBlue Valentinestar was easing into tackling a franchise tentpole. The publication even attested to Gosling’s reported meeting with Marvel Studios to discuss the titular role. The sources, nonetheless, remained uncertain whether the actor would proceed with the endeavor.
Ultimately, it all circled back to Benedict Cumberbatch. After Marvel Studios modified the film’s production schedule to accommodate theAtonementstar’s commitments, he was officially cast as Stephen Strange. And the rest is history as we know it.
Doctor Strange(2016) would amass $677.8 million at the worldwide box office with its second installment,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness(2022), raking in $955.8 million. For Gosling, the $1.6 billion Marvel film series might have been a successful venture. But imagining him as Stephen over Cumberbatch does pose a difficult task for MCU enjoyers.
Ryan Gosling Was Wary Of A Multi-Film Deal When It Came ToSuicide Squad(2016)
Around that time, Gosling was also being considered for the role of The Joker in 2016’sSuicide Squad. Although the David Ayer-directed project received unfavorable reviews from critics, it made a tidy $747 million at the box office. Years beforeBarbie, Ryan Gosling could have starred alongside Margot Robbie if he had accepted Warner Bros.’s offer.
TheDrivealum, however, was apparently not too keen on signing a multi-film agreement, according toThe Wrap.Jared Letowas ultimately chosen to embodySuicide Squad‘s iteration of Joker. Given the multiple-picture deal, it is crucial to highlight that Leto’s Joker would only ever return inZack Snyder’s Justice League. That was merely a cameo, too.
Read also:Ryan Gosling’s Work May Finally Win an Oscar – But Not for Acting
With how critically panned Leto’s depiction was, we can only wonder if Gosling would have done the supervillain justice.
When it comes to a potential big-budget, CGI-heavy superhero stint, theCrazy, Stupid, Lovealum did allude to wanting to play Captain Canada or Ghost Rider (viaIndieWire). Whether these dreams would ever come to fruition remains to be seen. We are confident that Ryan Gosling’s fans will continue to offer their unwavering support for whichever project the actor decides to take on soon.
Doctor Strange(2016) is available for streaming on Disney+. Meanwhile,Suicide Squad(2016) can be viewed on Max.
Debdipta Bhattacharya
Articles Published :659
Debdipta Bhattacharya is a content writer at FandomWire, where she has written more than 500 articles on various topics of interest. She possesses a sincere passion for popular culture, anime, film production, and the evolving world of YouTube and streaming culture which has allowed her to be a devoted and well-informed writer. Debdipta holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication. She has honed her skills and expertise in content writing with over two years of experience and strives to learn and grow daily.
