Why Ryan Gosling Doesn’t Take On ‘Dark’ Roles Anymore

Ryan Gosling is proving more and more that he is all about his family. The Fall Guy star spoke to The Wall Street Journal on Thursday (May 2) about the future of his acting career.

With two young daughters, Esmeralda Amada, 9, and Amada Lee, 8, whom he shares with longtime partner Eva Mendes, he takes a lot into consideration before choosing his next movie role.

As it has been noticeable, Gosling's latest roles have been light-hearted in his recent work in films like The Fall Guy, Barbie, and La La Land. His darker roles in 2013 and earlier include Only God Forgives, The Place Beyond the Pines, Drive, and Blue Valentine, just to name a few.

The 43-year-old actor told the publication that he has decided not to take on roles "that are going to put me in some kind of dark place." He adds that "this moment" is what he feels is best for his family and their life at home. "The decisions I make, I make them with Eva, and we make them with our family in mind first."

Gosling and Mendes, 50, met prior to starring together in 2012’s The Place Beyond the Pines, and have been reportedly married since 2022. He told WSJ that since having kids, he's been "way more conscious of everything" he has done and will do.

The Barbie star added that 2016’s La La Land was the first film he signed on with a different perspective in mind since having children. He thought that his daughters had fun practicing piano with him, dancing, and singing with him at home.

Then, with 2023's Barbie, his daughters were hilariously more interested in Barbie than Ken. He took that inspiration, as they were already making little movies about their Barbies on the iPad, so his going off to work to make one, too, made him feel like they were "aligned.”

“I’m trying to just figure out who they are and be there for them in the way that I can,” he said. “They’re such clear and distinct personalities that it’s sort of becoming obvious,” adding sweetly, “You just want to be everything they deserve.”

In addition to wanting what is best for his family, the Canadian actor said he also now focuses on taking roles that he’s actually passionate about that will reach a wider audience. Reflecting on his past work, he admits he was "just trying to pay the bills and work." In the last few years, Gosling realized he has the opportunity to make the kinds of films "that made me love movies.”

The cast of Barbie is pulling out all the stops when it comes to dressing in Barbie aesthetic for their press tour. With Margot Robbie starring as the titular character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the duo has had the best looks thus far, really committing to their roles. So far, Margot, 32, has gone above and beyond to channel the best Barbie looks. The Australian native doesn't just wear pink but has worn outfits by designers that are recreations of the doll's actual outfits!

Co-star Gosling has also fully committed to dressing like Ken, donning highlighted blonde locks. He's served up some major inspiration for men wanting to evoke their inner Kens. Let's face it, with Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer opening the same weekend, there are sure to be some themed looks for moviegoers to dress the part. Summer fashion trends have already picked up on the Barbie-core aesthetic, with pops of pink and hyper-feminine cuts.

The film, which debuts in theaters on July 21, features an ensemble cast including Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, Dua Lipa, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, and Ncuti Gatwa. The movie’s soundtrack is just as star-studded, featuring tracks from Charli XCX, Tame Impala, Ice Spice, Lizzo, Pinkpantheress, The Kid LAROI, and Haim.

See below our five favorite looks from the Barbie press tour so far.