Uncovering Ryan Gosling's Unlikely Journey to Leading Man Status
Against all odds, Ryan Gosling's breakout role in The Notebook proved his leading man potential, despite director doubts
Ryan Gosling, despite being considered one of the biggest stars in the industry, revealed that The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes doubted his potential as a leading man. The 2004 romantic drama, which chronicled the love story of Noah, a poor lumber mill worker, and Allie, a wealthy heiress, garnered mixed reviews for its cliched writing. However, Gosling and Rachel McAdams' performances were highly praised, and the film has remained a fan-favorite even after almost 20 years since its release. In a recent career-spanning profile interview with GQ, Gosling shared that Cassavetes had a bizarre reason for hiring him, considering him an unconventional choice for a leading man.
[Director Nick Cassavetes] straight up told me: 'The fact that you have no natural leading man qualities is why I want you to be my leading man.'
How The Notebook Proved Gosling Was A Star
Before his breakthrough in the romantic film industry, Ryan Gosling was primarily recognized for his work as a Disney child actor on The Mickey Mouse Club and other family-friendly programs such as Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Goosebumps, and Young Hercules. Gosling attempted to transition into more serious roles with the poorly received Murder by the Numbers and The United States of Leland, both of which featured him as a killer. However, The Notebook is widely regarded as Gosling's first successful foray into adult storytelling.
Gosling showcased his versatility in The Notebook, not only proving his ability to create believable chemistry with McAdams as his on-screen love interest, but also exploring complex themes such as classism, grief, and the consequences of war. Despite Cassavetes' initial doubts about his potential as a leading man, Gosling's good looks and undeniable talent helped catapult him to stardom. In the 20 years since the film's release, Gosling has proven himself as one of Hollywood's biggest stars, earning critical acclaim and commercial success for his performances in Half Nelson, Crazy, Stupid, Love, and Drive, among others. He has continued to deliver hits in recent years, including critically acclaimed films like La La Land and Blade Runner 2049, and will soon be seen in the highly anticipated Barbie movie alongside Margot Robbie.
Source: GQ
