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Ryan Gosling is no longer attached to star in Universal’s secret untitled film directed by the filmmaking duo known as Daniels. The pair, made up of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, had initially been in talks with Gosling for the lead role, but those negotiations have now come to an end.
According to sources, the project had been moving forward with plans to begin production in Los Angeles this summer. The film had even secured a California tax credit, signaling that preparations were well underway. However, despite early momentum, the production timeline proved to be a major obstacle. The project was unable to shift from its targeted shooting schedule, and as a result, conflicts arose that prevented Gosling and the studio from finalizing a deal.
While no single reason was officially confirmed, Gosling’s recent workload offers some context. The actor is coming off a major success with Project Hail Mary, a film from Amazon MGM Studios that has reportedly earned more than 300 million dollars globally since its release on March 20. Much of that success has been fueled by an extensive promotional campaign, with Gosling playing a central role in supporting the film’s rollout.
In addition to promotional duties, Gosling had also just wrapped a lengthy shoot for his upcoming role in Star Wars Starfighter, which concluded toward the end of 2025. With such a demanding schedule, it appears that taking on another major production immediately afterward would have required a tighter turnaround than was realistically possible. The need for a longer break likely contributed to the scheduling conflict that ultimately led to his departure.
Despite losing a high profile lead, Universal and the Daniels are continuing to move forward with the project as planned. The production remains on track to meet its key milestones, including its targeted release date of November 19, 2027. Insiders suggest that Gosling was highly enthusiastic about the script, which may further increase interest from other actors now being considered for the role.
Details about the film’s plot remain under wraps, adding to the intrigue surrounding the project. The Daniels, who have built a reputation for bold and unconventional storytelling, are producing the film alongside Jonathan Wang through their Playgrounds production banner under an overall deal with Universal Pictures.
Although Gosling’s exit marks a shift in the film’s development, it does not appear to have slowed momentum. With a strong creative team in place and a firm production schedule, the project is expected to remain a priority for the studio as it moves toward its planned release.
