ROTTEN TOMATOES: Wahlberg Replaces Gosling in Jackson's Lovely Bones

Wahlberg Replaces Gosling in Jackson's Lovely Bones

Gosling's gain is...er, Gosling's loss and Wahlberg's gain? Or something.

by Jeff Giles | October 22, 2007

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It looks like Ryan Gosling will be hitting the treadmill a little sooner than anticipated.

Variety reports that Gosling -- who packed on pounds and put away his razor for his role in the Peter Jackson-directed adaptation of Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones -- exited the production the day before filming began, and has been replaced by Mark Wahlberg. From the article:

Wahlberg has taken the role of Jack Salmon, the grieving father of a young girl. That role was vacated Friday by "Lars and the Real Girl" star Ryan Gosling, who stepped out after gaining 20 pounds and growing a beard for the job. Sources attributed the exit to creative differences.

After reading the script, Wahlberg quickly committed Sunday. He joins Rachel Weisz as a couple whose world is shattered after their daughter is murdered. The girl watches over her family and her killer from heaven. Jackson wrote the script with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.

This news is unexpected, to say the least -- it was just two weeks ago that RT's own Fred Topel talked to Gosling about his preparation for the role and his admiration for Peter Jackson.

Shooting is underway in Philadelphia, where Wahlberg recently starred in The Happening for M. Night Shyamalan. After finishing Bones, Wahlberg is set to appear opposite Brad Pitt in Darren Aronofsky's The Fighter -- capping a five-year stretch in which the erstwhile underwear model and Funky Bunch leader will have worked with Aronofsky, Jackson, Shyamalan, and Martin Scorsese. God bless America.

Source: Variety

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(1-20 of 21 posts) | Reply

musiclc writes:
on Oct 22 2007 06:08 AM

cool.

(Reply to this)

Hersheys writes:
on Oct 22 2007 06:10 AM

there would be atleast 20 Fuc* yous in the film

(Reply to this)

insanereality writes:
on Oct 22 2007 06:18 AM

Sweet ****. I've always like Wahlberg.

So why not?

(Reply to this)

dahluzz writes:
on Oct 22 2007 07:07 AM

yeah ryan gosling's a little too young to play a grieving father. Mahk is one of our finest actors... when he picks the right project. he steals every one of his scenes in the departed.

(Reply to this)

crudebob writes:
on Oct 22 2007 07:17 AM

Ryan Gosling has creative differences? And with Jackson at that? HA! It's one thing to have creative differnces, but to so publically walk on a director that can make make you a star the day before filming isn't exactly a smart career move.

(Reply to this)

boomstick8283 writes:
on Oct 22 2007 08:25 AM

Yeah, what's with Gosling all of the sudden? Seems like he's getting a bit too big for his britches lately, pardon the pun.

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Oct 22 2007 09:04 AM

I'm sorry, Walhberg is a step down from Gosling as far as acting ability goes. No question there. Maybe Gosling acted like a prima donna, but I really don't care for Mark Wahlberg. Sure, he was good in The Departed, but anyone could have pulled off that part with that writing and directing.

(Reply to this)

Armless Penguin writes:
on Oct 22 2007 10:02 AM

In reply to this comment (#1213958)
He doesn't really need to be "made a star." The man was nominated for an Oscar. In Hollywood, you really can't get much bigger than that.

As for him acting like a prima donna--maybe he did, but I don't really know the details of the situation, so I wouldn't call him one.

I really like Mark Wahlberg, but I'll admit to being disappointed at Gosling's early exit.

(Reply to this)

welease_woger writes:
on Oct 22 2007 11:08 AM

In reply to this comment (#1214102)
So the young wuffian doesn't need to be a star cause he was nominated for an oscar, eh?
Hmmm, I suggest my fwiend that you ask Halle Berry what is more important, winning an oscar or swelling tickets. Stwike Mr. Gosling verwy woughly Centurwion and throw him to the floor!

(Reply to this)

unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Oct 22 2007 11:11 AM

That's to bad, I'm sure Gosling would have been good in this. It's lucky for Wahlberg though.

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Oct 22 2007 11:31 AM

In reply to this comment (#1214666)
He's a wobber! And a wapist! And a pickpocket!

(Reply to this)

lookslikearabbit writes:
on Oct 22 2007 12:57 PM

We don't have the whole story, but Gosling obvious didn't walk out for no good reasons. Afterall, he did gain the weight for it no? It's not like he walked out the last min. to jump on the chance to work with Scorsese.

(Reply to this)

Segkee writes:
on Oct 22 2007 02:44 PM

Gosling didn't walk, fools. He was replaced. You're telling me it just so happens that Mark Wahlberg steps into the role the day before shooting. Are you kidding me? Before a strike? No way. All the major actors have their ducks in a row. I say Wahlberg was Jackson's first choice and he wasn't available. Now he is. Ryan was fired because Jackson wanted Wahlberg. Gosling is a very down to earth dude, who is creative. Get it. Jackson is a control freak. All be it, a brilliant control freak. Creatives and control freaks don't mesh well.

FYI: Gosling and Wahlberg have both been nominated.

(Reply to this)

renodc writes:
on Oct 22 2007 02:58 PM

I agree that there is definitely something more to this story than just creative differences.

(Reply to this)

hewpot writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:12 PM

penis penis penis

(Reply to this)

Floor Man writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:44 PM

In reply to this comment (#1214068)
Very true....

(Reply to this)

planetawesome writes:
on Oct 22 2007 03:53 PM

hm... that's sad news. underrated versatile actor replaced by overrated one-note actor. i second the theory that jackson's a weirdo control freak. oh well. i still have high hopes for the movie.

(Reply to this)

eastern2western writes:
on Oct 22 2007 05:33 PM

Now, I officially do not care for the movie because I believe Wahlberg has to be one of the worst actors out there. Ever since booggie nights, wahlberg has been basically using the exact same old acting style for every one of his movies. Looking of constipation for being mad and show off his teeth to demonstrate he is happy. Everything else in between, mark just looked blank-face for not having any emotions.

(Reply to this)

Segkee writes:
on Oct 22 2007 11:23 PM

UPDATE: LA times says Ryan's weight gain and beard were to blame.

(Reply to this)

crudebob writes:
on Oct 23 2007 04:30 PM

In reply to this comment (#1214666)
I agwee Woger.

(Reply to this)