Most of the Ryan Gosling buzz these days revolves around Derek Cianfrance‘s relationship drama Blue Valentine, which thankfully just won its appeal to the MPAA board for an R-rating. However, in a recent sit-down with The Playlist, Gosling showed an unusual enthusiasm — at least for an actor of his nature — for sequels, and brought some new insight to the surface regarding Nicolas Winding Refn‘s Drive.
Drive will be “about a bored and unfulfilled stunt driver (Gosling) who, for additional thrills, doubles as a getaway driver by night.” It is also described as a “neo-noir thriller,” and the supporting cast includes Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, Christina Hendricks, Bryan Cranston, and Albert Brooks.
In an intriguing side note, Gosling states that he was given the choice of choosing the project’s director. “It was the first time I had gotten a script and was able to pick the director,” says the Oscar-nominated actor. “And I thought ‘It had to be Nicolas.’ There was no other choice.” If the name doesn’t ring a bell, Refn‘s previous directorial credits include the Tom Hardy vehicle Bronson, and Valhalla Rising.
When asked about the finished product of Drive, Gosling‘s reaction seems to be a mix of bewilderment and utter excitement: “I don’t know what we ended up making—it’s some kind of crazy cross between Blue Velvet and Purple Rain.”
Gosling goes on to describe the way commercial shortcomings have kept him from actualizing his affinity for sequels in the past.
“I don’t want to make the same movie over and over again, but let’s say Lars and the Real Girl was a hit —which it wasn’t commercially—but let’s say it was. I’d love to make another film with a guy with romantic delusions. I’d love to expand on a theme.
He adds that, “maybe this Drive movie will be a hit…it’s very impressionistic. It’s kind of a surreal take on that genre. I’d’ love to make a Drive 2 and just do it our way.”
It’s hard not to get excited about Drive after these snippets from Gosling‘s interview. I’d say that his desire for sequels is based largely upon the fact that he’s been in really good films and played such unique parts. It’s one thing to play John McClane year after year. It’s an entirely different, and probably more artistically challenging thing, to try and tackle the role of Lars Lindstrom for a second time.
What do you think of Gosling’s view on sequels?