Director Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling apparently have a creative bromance that spans years, and after "Drive" and "Only God Forgives," they're eyeing a third project together.
In an interview with France 24, Refn shared that because their lives have evolved in "parallel ways," they've kept in touch and are working on a "comedy" for their next collaboration.
That's quite a tonal pivot.
It makes sense, though. In 2024, Gosling told The Wall Street Journal that he avoids dark roles and that he and Eva Mendes choose projects "with our family in mind first." He credited his daughters for "Barbie" and said he wants to make inclusive films "not for an audience of one." That shift has carried into "Project Hail Mary" and "Star Wars: Starfighter."
When pressed for a production date or a concrete plan, Refn played coy. He compared the mystery of the project to Christmas, noting, "It's better not knowing what you're going to get 'cause then you're going to be a lot happier."
It's safe to say, then, that Gosling won't be in Refn's next film, a reimagining of "Maniac Cop," which is expected to start production soon. Refn is coming off this summer's "Her Private Hell," his first film in 10 years and his first since "The Neon Demon" (2016). His most notable works include "Drive," "Bronson" and the "Pusher" trilogy.
If you've read this column for a while, you know the drill: I spitball Cannes every month from now until April, updating the latest intel and trying to figure out what will be in competition, vying for the Palme d'Or.