Ryan Gosling is making headlines not only for his career decisions but also for his romantic relationship with fellow actress Eva Mendes. Recent reports reveal the couple has chosen to take some time apart to reassess their romance. The decision arrives after both partners reportedly felt they were rushing things too quickly, particularly toward the idea of marriage.
According to RadarOnline, the couple had discussions before Thanksgiving about their relationship pace. "There was an understand about before Thanksgiving," said the source. "They both took things too fast and were rushing toward marriage, which was not necessary for either of them." At this moment, the couple is not officially split but believes this break will help them reevaluate their romance.
On another note, Gosling's acting career has also been marked by some significant choices. He lost out on playing the Joker, originally intended for the
Suicide Squad film, because he was unwilling to commit to the multi-movie contract Warner Bros. wanted to impose. Gosling, who prefers to work on standalone films, was clear during the casting discussions: “He wasn’t going to commit to a multi-movie deal,” reported The Wrap.
It’s not just the Joker role he turned down. Gosling was considered for other major superhero roles as well, including Hal Jordan in Green Lantern and the title role of Doctor Strange. While fans might speculate about how Gosling would have portrayed these characters, he has always gravitated toward one-off performances, making it clear he wasn’t interested in the norms of the superhero movie franchise model.
Perhaps he dodged a bullet with Green Lantern, which was widely panned and considered detrimental to Ryan Reynolds’ career initially. Even Gosling acknowledged, at least retrospectively, it might have been the right call to steer clear. MTV reported about Gosling's clear disinterest at the time: superhero flicks just weren’t his thing.
Meanwhile, the role of Doctor Strange wound up going to Benedict Cumberbatch after Gosling and Joaquin Phoenix both expressed disinterest. According to director Scott Derrickson’s discussions with Marvel’s Kevin Feige, Cumberbatch was always the ideal choice. Rockstar director David Ayer even noted about Gosling's approach, emphasizing his preference for innovative characters, instead of becoming reliant on franchise roles. Gosling embraced different avenues, as evidenced by his recent portrayal of Ken in 2023's blockbuster Barbie.
So, as Gosling navigates these dual paths of personal and professional life, his insights continue to resonate across Hollywood. The choice to prioritize his own comfort and fit over the dizzying heights of comic franchise machinery shows an admirable level of integrity.
While the public ponders what could have been with Gosling as the Joker or Doctor Strange, it is clear he remains focused on crafting his distinct career—not getting lost among colorful superheroes and multi-movie contracts. And as for his relationship with Mendes? Only time will tell if their break leads to reconciliation or permanent distance.