S Poddar
A Tale of Two Fathers
Saoirse Ronan, the Irish actress whose lustrous performance in “The Lovely Bones” has already captivated the world, recently went on record to share more about the production of the film. As interviewed candidly, she touches on the board’s decision to replace Ryan Gosling with Mark Wahlberg in the key role of Jack Salmon, Susie’s grieving father.
I love Gosling and George-the dog-is just fabulous,” she said. “The creative differences are totally valid.” Sometimes you’re just not on the same page, she said. Though, Ronan added the change stings her because it’s creative differences, not a disconnect personally. Ronan has spoken to both Gosling and Wahlberg over the past few days about the situation.
A Father’s Perspective
Gosling, himself, had written about his view of things in an interview last year. He stated that he had always envisioned Jack Salmon to be something entirely else different from the directors and a creative stalemate was reached. However Ronan said he felt that Mark Wahlberg would have been better suited to play since he was a father himself and older.
Off Screen
The raw intensity and emotion that have driven Ronan’s performance are a critique of Sir Steve McQueen’s direction in the film “Blitz,” which brings the barest of realities to the ethereal world of “The Lovely Bones.” With the invasion of Russia into Ukraine forming the backdrop of this film, it has actually been based on themes of trauma, resilience, and what really endures within the human spirit.
Ronan hopes that with each new height in her career, she can help herself challenge the stereotypical form of female villains in Hollywood. She has even floated the idea about being a part of the James Bond franchise as a villain. However, she prefers doing meaningful and impactful projects rather than just box office hits.
Saoirse Ronan’s grasp of the film “The Lovely Bones” extends far past trying to relay the goings-on between her and director Peter Jackson. Neither does it serve simply as a means of demonstrating just how intricate the processes behind making a film truly are and the importance of creative collaboration. Her commitment to her craft and her determination to tell real stories make her one of the most exciting and versatile actresses of her generation.
