Saoirse Ronan, now 30 and renowned for her role in 'The Outrun,' recently reminisced about Ryan Gosling's departure from 'The Lovely Bones' and his subsequent replacement by Mark Wahlberg, during a candid chat on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast. Reflecting on the turn of events, Ronan admitted it was "heartbreaking" to witness Gosling, now 43, exit the project, yet she acknowledged the legitimacy behind the decision.
Back in 2007, Gosling had been cast to portray Jack, the grieving father of Susie Salmon (played by Ronan), who becomes consumed with unraveling the mystery behind his teenage daughter's murder. However, due to "creative disparities," Gosling parted ways with the film, leaving Wahlberg to step into his shoes under the directorial guidance of Peter Jackson.
"I had a deep admiration for Ryan and even his beloved dog, George," shared Ronan, fondly recalling their pre-production collaborations, albeit briefly, before Gosling's departure. "It pained me to see him go, but I understand the rationale behind their separation. After all, I've spoken to both of them now, and it's just one of those things that happen. It's not personal; sometimes, creative visions just don't align," she added thoughtfully.
Ronan further elaborated, "Mark's entry was serendipitous. Being a father of, I believe, three children, he perhaps had a more nuanced understanding of the role that Ryan, then just 27, might have lacked. Wahlberg, now 53 and a proud dad of four with wife Rhea Durham, undoubtedly brought a unique perspective to the character."
Fate, however, had other plans as Ronan and Gosling eventually reunited on the set of 'Lost River,' a film written and directed by Gosling himself in 2014. "Working with him again was sheer bliss. He remains unchanged, a constant in this ever-changing industry," Ronan gushed.
Interestingly, Eva Mendes, Gosling's partner and co-star in 'Lost River,' had also previously collaborated with him on 'The Place Beyond the Pines' in 2012. Gosling, who shares two daughters with Mendes, had previously divulged that he gained a staggering 60 pounds to embody the role of the distraught father in 'The Lovely Bones,' a bold creative choice that ultimately led to his exit from the project.
"Our visions for the character diverged significantly. I firmly believed he should weigh 210 pounds," Gosling revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in 2010, lamenting the lack of communication during pre-production with Jackson, who was juggling the mammoth production. "I arrived on set, only to realize I had misinterpreted the character. Suddenly, I was both heavy and unemployed," he quipped.
Jackson's wife and producing partner, Fran Walsh, also shed light on Gosling's discomfort with the role, recalling, "Ryan approached us multiple times, expressing his doubts. He felt too young for the part. Despite our reassurances of aging him up and altering his appearance, it became evident during pre-production that he was uneasy. We realized our initial casting was a misstep, fueled by our unwavering determination to make it work."
Based on Alice Sebold's novel, 'The Lovely Bones' also boasted an ensemble cast including Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Michael Imperioli, and Stanley Tucci, who received an Oscar nod for his portrayal.
Reflecting on the emotionally taxing role, Wahlberg once confessed to PEOPLE that it deeply affected him personally. "I would embrace my daughter tightly, tears streaming down my face. She'd ask, 'Daddy, what's wrong?' All she wanted was to play, but I couldn't help but worry about her safety. Thankfully, another project soon offered me a respite from those heavy emotions," he shared candidly.
