No, Ryan Gosling did not ultimately play in The Lovely Bones, although he was originally cast for a significant role in the film.
While Gosling was initially set to portray Jack Salmon, the father of the murdered teenager Susie Salmon, he departed from the project before filming began.
Ryan Gosling's Original Casting and Departure
In 2007, Ryan Gosling was cast as Jack Salmon, the father of Susie Salmon (played by Saoirse Ronan). In the story, Jack becomes deeply obsessed with solving his teenaged daughter's murder case. However, Gosling later withdrew from the film due to "creative differences."
His departure led to a significant casting change for the crucial role.
The Role's Recasting
Following Ryan Gosling's exit, the role of Jack Salmon was taken over by Mark Wahlberg. The film was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson, known for his work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
This casting change ensured that while Gosling was initially involved, he does not appear in the final cut of The Lovely Bones.
Below is a summary of the casting for the role of Jack Salmon:
| Role | Original Casting | Final Actor | Reason for Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Salmon | Ryan Gosling | Mark Wahlberg | "Creative Differences" |
