Would Ryan Gosling Have Saved the ‘Wolf Man’ Reboot from Mediocrity?

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The new Universal Pictures film titled simply “Wolf Man” – a modern take on the 1941 classic “The Wolf Man,” minus the initial article – garnered significant excitement due to Leigh Whannell, who previously succeeded in reimagining “The Invisible Man,” taking the director’s chair. However, the response to this movie has been somewhat divided, with a rating of 53% on Rotten Tomatoes, a C- from CinemaScore, and underperforming financially, debuting at third place during its four-day holiday weekend with $12 million. It appears that “Wolf Man” might join the list of unsuccessful attempts to rejuvenate the iconic big-screen werewolf character.

Initially, the film “Wolf Man” was planned with Ryan Gosling as the lead actor, a choice that raised eyebrows in 2020. However, his involvement wasn’t just any random casting like Tom Cruise in “The Mummy” for The Dark Universe. Instead, it hinted at Gosling’s genuine interest and passion for this classic monster role. But, three years later in December 2023, Gosling left the project and was replaced by Christopher Abbott. While Abbott does a good job, fans can’t help but wonder if Gosling would have elevated or fundamentally altered the movie with his portrayal of the “Wolf Man.

Ryan Gosling‘s ‘Wolf Man’ Would Have Been a Different Beast Stylistically

Leigh Whannell, the director of “Wolf Man”, has discussed Ryan Gosling‘s involvement with the project. He shared that Gosling had to back out due to scheduling issues with other film projects. Interestingly, the storyline on-screen remains identical to what it would have been if Gosling were in the role, with Christopher Abbott taking his place instead. However, it’s probable that the film’s overall tone could have changed significantly had Gosling taken the part.

Whannell and his wife, Corbett Tuck, collaborated on a treatment and subsequent script for the movie. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, they drew inspiration for the film, as evidenced by the fact that The Wolf Man mainly unfolds in a single setting and the werewolf transformation is portrayed more like a disease rather than a mystical occurrence. Whannell’s personal experience with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that took his friend’s life, serves as the basis for this portrayal of the Wolf Man disease in the film. This disease-centric approach is integral to Whannell’s vision for The Wolf Man.

Initially, Whannell departed from the project in 2021 and was subsequently replaced by Derek Cianfrance, who had previously partnered with Gosling on “Blue Valentine” (2010) and “The Place Beyond the Pines” (2013). The fact that Cianfrance joined the team was quite intriguing given his unanticipated involvement in a horror movie. Given his past works, such as “Wolf Man”‘s narrative would have aligned well with Cianfrance’s filmmaking style, as he has demonstrated an aptitude for exploring complex family dynamics and their effects on children through his collaborations with Gosling. This is an area where Cianfrance could have shone in “Wolf Man”, which unfortunately lacked depth in character-centric scenes due to the script’s tendency to overtly deliver information through dialogue.

The collaboration between Cianfrance and Gosling on the “Wolf Man” project seemed captivating, but unfortunately, it didn’t come to fruition. Both of them left the project in December 2023. John Whannell stepped up to direct, while Christopher Abbott took over as the lead actor. Despite leaving, Gosling remained a producer on the project. Since 2020, when he initially agreed to star in “Wolf Man,” Gosling’s career had taken a significant turn. In 2023, he wrapped up playing Ken in the massive hit movie “Barbie,” which earned him his third Academy Award nomination. Following “Barbie,” Gosling’s popularity soared even higher, making him a more sought-after actor and potentially increasing his fees. Given this, it seems Blumhouse aimed to keep costs down by finding a replacement for Gosling.

It seems like the departure and return of Whannell, coupled with Gosling’s subsequent exit, suggests a potential disagreement between them regarding the direction of the movie. Given that Gosling and Cianfrance might have envisioned a different take on “Wolf Man” compared to Whannell, it is plausible that one approach focused more on the horror stemming from personal drama, while the other prioritized the emphasis on body horror. Consequently, the final film’s style may not have aligned with Gosling’s vision.

Christopher Abbott Works Better for the Specific Horror ‘Wolf Man’ Is Trying to Accomplish

Regardless of Wolf Man not relying on the original 1941 film’s characters, plotlines, or visual aesthetics, it still preserves a fundamental aspect that made the initial movie successful: The Wolf Man embodies an ordinary individual. In 1941, Lawrence Talbot, portrayed by Lon Channey Jr., was just an average person. He had no unique qualities, but he was afflicted with a transformative curse that made him into a dangerous monster capable of harming those he cherished.

The sad predicament of the Wolf Man and the werewolf as monstrous figures lies in the fact that they appear benign but can turn menacing at any moment. Witnessing someone you thought was safe transform into a threat is chilling, especially when they lose control over their actions and potentially harm those dear to them. This loss of self-control and transformation into a beast is a terrifying predicament for the individual as well as the onlookers, since it appears that their human spirit has vanished, leaving only a dangerous animal behind.

In this film, Christopher Abbott’s casting is perfectly suited as Leigh Whannell envisions it. The character Blake Lovell, played by Abbott, is a stay-at-home father to his daughter Ginger. He maintains a strained yet loving relationship with his wife Charlotte (portrayed by Julia Garner). Wolf Man delves into the metaphorical transition of man into beast, symbolizing generational trauma, and how a parent can instill fear in their children, not just physically but also emotionally.

The spectators not only perceive through Blake’s perspective the world appearing intensified to such an extent that he fails to recognize his wife and daughter, but also the terror etched on the faces of his loved ones. Charlotte witnesses the man she adores transform into a creature of fear, while Ginger observes the father figure, whom she cherishes as a protector, morphing into someone who intends harm. This is effective because Abbott skillfully portrays an ordinary man radiating paternal vibes, and witnessing this transformation is both chilling and heartbreaking.

Ryan Gosling Is Far From an “Everyman”

Ryan Gosling is seldom referred to as ordinary or an everyday man. Instead, his good looks make movies like “Crazy Stupid Love” seem like they were created solely to highlight his extraordinary charm. It’s said that whenever the title “People’s Sexiest Man Alive” is announced, people are outraged if it’s not Ryan Gosling (and he has turned down this title multiple times, making him even more deserving of it).

Observing Ryan Gosling‘s werewolf transformation isn’t just witnessing an ordinary person transform into a beast, but rather, it resembles watching the Notre Dame cathedral catch fire: the destruction of something beautiful and cherished. It’s a chilling spectacle, a unique form of terror compared to what The Wolf Man intended, and such a scene might have significantly altered the original script of the film.

It’s quite plausible that Gosling could have pulled off the role; after all, he’s an exceptional actor with versatility across various genres. However, sometimes an actor might not be a perfect fit for a part because the audience finds it hard to accept them in that specific role. In the case of Gosling, roles that require normalcy or everyday relatability might present such challenges.

Gosling Might Have Only Had a Minor Impact on Wolf Man

It could be thought that the presence of Ryan Gosling, an Academy Award winner, in the movie “Wolf Man” might have boosted its ticket sales from a promotional perspective. However, while having Ryan Gosling as Universal’s new Wolf Man certainly makes for a compelling advertisement, it remains unclear just how significantly this would have impacted the film’s performance compared to its actual opening numbers.

I must admit, there has been some speculation about Ryan Gosling‘s ability to draw a crowd at the box office. For instance, many were disappointed with the $27 million opening of The Fall Guy back in 2016. Similarly, Blade Runner 2049, which opened in 2017 and starred Harrison Ford, didn’t exactly set the box office on fire, earning $32 million. Interestingly, both these films had larger openings than Wolf Man, suggesting that perhaps Gosling’s presence could have helped Wolf Man claim the top spot during its opening weekend.

Although box office success doesn’t always equate to quality, if Universal Pictures had chosen Ryan Gosling for the lead role in the film, directed by Derek Cianfrance, the final product might have been significantly different. It’s uncertain whether this version would have surpassed the released film, but it undeniably would have offered an intriguing alternative and potentially sparked considerable interest among moviegoers.

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2025-01-27 01:33