For young actors just starting to make their mark in Hollywood, navigating the treacherous waters of a primary movie production can be daunting. But when one of your co-stars is suddenly and unceremoniously fired on the first day of shooting, it takes a unique resilience to weather the storm.
That’s precisely the challenge that then-14-year-old Saoirse Ronan faced when she learned that Ryan Gosling, who had been cast to play her father in the 2009 supernatural drama “The Lovely Bones,” had been let go by director Peter Jackson.
In a recent interview with the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Ronan reflected on the surprising turn of events, offering a rare glimpse into the human drama that can unfold behind the scenes of even the most high-profile productions.
“I think the reasons why they parted were valid,” the four-time Oscar nominee said, diplomatically avoiding any juicy details about the “creative differences” that led to Gosling’s abrupt dismissal. “And I’ve spoken to both 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.”
While Ronan admitted that she was “just sad” to see Gosling go – the pair had already done some pre-production work together and had grown fond of the actor and his beloved dog, George – she understood that the decision was ultimately the right one for the film.
“And it meant that you know, Mark [Wahlberg] was able to step in, and he was a father. 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 explained.
Gosling has been candid about the circumstances surrounding his departure, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2010 that he and Jackson had “a different idea of how the character should look.”
“I believed he should be 210 pounds,” Gosling said, revealing that he had shown up on set 60 pounds heavier, only to find that the director was unimpressed. “We didn’t talk much during the pre-production process, which was the problem. It was a huge movie, and there were so many things to deal with, and he couldn’t deal with the actors individually. I just showed up on set, and I had gotten it wrong. Then I was fat and unemployed.”
While the abrupt recasting could have understandably thrown Ronan for a loop, the young actress insists it didn’t faze her at the time. “I didn’t think of it that way,” she said, brushing off the idea that Gosling’s firing might have been “disorienting” for her.
Instead, Ronan focused on the positives, maintaining her friendship with Gosling and eventually getting to work with him again years later on his directorial debut, “Lost River.”
“It was great then to work with him later,” she said. “And, again, he’s just, like, the same. He doesn’t change.”
It’s a testament to Ronan’s maturity and resilience that she could weather the storm of Gosling’s sudden departure with such grace. And her willingness to champion her former co-star, even amid the chaos of that fateful production, speaks volumes about the caliber of person she has become.
In an industry often defined by ego and drama, Ronan’s measured, empathetic perspective is a refreshing reminder that even the most high-profile setbacks can be navigated with a steady hand and an open heart.
“It’s not personal,” she said of the Gosling saga. “It’s just sometimes you’re not on the same page.”
It’s a lesson that Ronan has taken to heart and has undoubtedly served her well as she has continued to ascend the Hollywood ranks, cementing her status as one of the most compelling and versatile young talents in the business.
And who knows – maybe one day, Ronan and Gosling will collaborate on another project, this time with a smoother production process and an even more profound friendship to draw upon. After all, as the actress herself pointed out, Gosling “doesn’t change” – and neither, it seems, does Ronan’s capacity for empathy and understanding.