Fifteen years after the release of The Lovely Bones, Saoirse Ronan is revisiting a pivotal moment in the film’s production: Ryan Gosling’s departure just days before filming began. Ronan, who starred as Susie Salmon, the murdered teenager narrating her own story from the afterlife, shared her thoughts on the casting shakeup during a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
Saoirse Ronan Discusses Ryan Gosling’s Exit from The Lovely Bones and Its Impact on Casting
Gosling was initially cast as Susie’s grief-stricken father, Jack Salmon, but was let go by director Peter Jackson, who replaced him with Mark Wahlberg. Ronan expressed her sadness over the situation, saying, “I just loved Ryan and his dog, George, and was just sad that he wasn’t going to be around.” Yet, she emphasized that the decision was not personal. “Sometimes you’re just not on the same page,” she noted, acknowledging the complexities of creative collaboration.
Reflecting on why Wahlberg ultimately suited the role better, Ronan suggested that Wahlberg’s life experience as a father brought a depth to the character that Gosling may not have had at the time. “He probably had an experience that Ryan felt like he didn’t,” she explained, underscoring how personal circumstances can shape a performer’s connection to a role.
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Gosling himself later admitted to having “gotten it wrong” regarding his physical preparation for the film. In a 2010 interview, he recounted his misguided decision to gain weight—specifically, 60 pounds on a diet of melted Häagen-Dazs ice cream—believing that Jack should be “210 pounds.”
He also acknowledged that his lack of communication with Jackson during preproduction contributed to the misalignment of expectations. “I just showed up on set, and I had gotten it wrong. Then I was fat and unemployed,” he quipped.
Despite the disappointment of not appearing in The Lovely Bones, Gosling’s path eventually crossed with Ronan’s again when he directed her in his 2015 film, Lost River. This shows how the industry often works in cycles, and relationships can evolve over time.
In her podcast appearance, Ronan also opened up about her own insecurities, revealing that she feared being fired from Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird. “My mom flew over at one stage because I was so anxious,” she shared, reflecting the pressure that comes with high-stakes projects.
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Saoirse Ronan’s thoughtful insights into the casting changes in The Lovely Bones highlight the unpredictable nature of filmmaking. It’s a reminder that sometimes, despite the best intentions, things don’t always go as planned, but new opportunities can arise from those challenges. As she continues to navigate her career, Ronan’s reflections resonate with anyone who has faced uncertainty in their own path.
