Ryan Gosling is stepping away from his "nice guy" persona to dive into a new project titled Tough Guys. This action-comedy is currently in development at Amazon MGM Studios, where Gosling not only plans to star but will also take on a production role. What makes this venture particularly exciting is that he will be sharing the screen with none other than comedy icon Will Ferrell.
A Fresh Pairing
It’s worth noting that Tough Guys isn’t connected to either Ferrell’s hit The Other Guys or Gosling’s The Nice Guys and The Fall Guy. Instead, the film appears to focus on two individuals who simply enjoy being, well, guys—something many fans never realized they needed until now.
The Storyline
According to Deadline, Tough Guys comes from a spec script written by Daniel Gold, known for his work on Workin’ Moms. The storyline revolves around two henchmen who are fed up with being seen as expendable. They decide to escape the criminal world and reshape their lives according to their own rules. This plot sets the stage for what could be a hilarious and engaging film, especially since Gosling and Ferrell have never collaborated in the past despite their impressive comedic credentials.
Production Team
Gosling is partnering with former Apple Original Films executive Jessie Henderson to produce Tough Guys through their banner, General Admission. They secured a first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios last year, allowing them to create both theatrical and streaming projects. Meanwhile, Will Ferrell is also in the works to produce the film, teaming up with Jessica Elbaum through Gloria Sanchez Productions. Trevor Engelson and Aaron Folbe from Underground are also on board as executive producers. As of now, the director has not been announced, but updates should follow soon.
Gosling’s Experience in Buddy Films
Ryan Gosling is no stranger to the buddy comedy genre. He previously starred alongside Russell Crowe in the 2016 film The Nice Guys, a movie that received a lot of praise and has cultivated a dedicated fan base. It holds a respectable 91% critic score and a 79% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, despite its warm reception, The Nice Guys didn’t perform well at the box office, earning about $71 million worldwide against a $50 million budget. This underperformance has made a sequel a risky endeavor, even though fans continue to hope for one.
Challenges for The Nice Guys 2
Shane Black, the director and co-writer of The Nice Guys, recently discussed the idea of a sequel. Unfortunately, he hinted that the chances of reuniting with both Gosling and Crowe are quite slim. While he does have a story in mind for The Nice Guys 2 and has shared some intriguing ideas, he pointed out that multiple challenges make it unlikely for the project to move forward. Black mentioned that "the rights situation on The Nice Guys is a bit difficult," complicating any potential sequel plans.
Conclusion
As Ryan Gosling prepares for Tough Guys, fans can only anticipate how this film will unfold, especially given the star power of both Gosling and Ferrell. While The Nice Guys may not get a follow-up any time soon, Gosling’s new venture promises to bring some fun action and comedy to the screen. With an engaging premise and a strong production team, Tough Guys could be the buddy comedy fans are looking for. Keep an eye out for more news as the project develops!
