Summary

  • Ryan Gosling's singing talents were showcased in "Barbie" and "La La Land," solidifying him as a versatile Hollywood star.
  • The song "I'm Just Ken" was a standout moment in "Barbie," highlighting Gosling's ability to captivate with a solo power ballad.
  • Gosling was considered for the role of Willy Wonka in the movie "Wonka," which could have further showcased his musical abilities.

Ryan Gosling movies had him sing briefly, and Barbie let those talents shine again.

One of the highlights of Ryan Gosling's scene-stealing work in Barbie was the movie's massive musical sequence for the original song "I'm Just Ken." The solo power ballad chronicling his romantic failings and current feelings became a show-stopping part of Greta Gerwig's movie. His and the Kens' cover of Matchbox 20's "Push" proved to be another hilariously memorable part of the movie too. Barbie's songs and musical sequences became a great reminder of Gosling's singing skills, and there was nearly a world where he starred in a massive 2023 musical movie next.

Ryan Gosling as Ken Making a Heart during a song in the Barbie Movie
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Wonka Could Have Been Ryan Gosling's Next Movie After Barbie

Ryan Gosling singing in Barbie with music notes behind him

Timothée Chalamet is playing a young Willy Wonka in the Wonka movie hitting theaters December 15, 2023, but this could have been Ryan Gosling's role originally. When Warner Bros. was first developing the idea of a musical based on a younger Wonka, Collider reported that Ryan Gosling was among the contenders for the role. He was named alongside Donald Glover and Ezra Miller as individuals the studio wanted the most. It was only after director Paul King came aboard that Chalamet got the part. How close Gosling ever got to actually playing the iconic chocolate maker was not revealed.

It would have been possible for Ryan Gosling to star in Wonka and Barbie at the same time even. Although the musical prequel is coming out after Barbie dominated the box office, Wonka entered production first. Filming took place from September 2021 to early 2022, with Barbie's production then starting up in March 2022. That means that Ryan Gosling conceivably could have starred in both movies if he was ultimately deemed the right choice to play a younger Willy Wonka. If that had happened, Gosling would be the star of a major 2023 musical just months after Barbie came out.

Wonka Would Make Better Use Of Ryan Gosling's Musical Abilities

A shirtless Ryan Gosling as Ken clenching his fist while singing "I'm Just Ken" in Barbie.

Barbie did a great job letting Ryan Gosling's musical abilities shine through the "I'm Just Ken" and "Push" musical numbers, but Wonka arguably would do an even better job. Instead of Gosling getting only two songs, Wonka could give him much more. The movie is an actual musical, complete with multiple song and dance sequences, but Barbie's songs were rare. As the main character, Ryan Gosling would get plenty of opportunities to sing and dance in an even more fantastical setting. Considering how great his skills are in these departments, the combination of Barbie and Wonka would be quite the one-two punch for him.

Source: Collider