Ryan Gosling opens up about on-screen trauma while promoting 'Project Hail Mary'

Ryan Gosling has revealed he has a lingering “trauma” when it comes to wearing wigs on-screen, tracing it back to an awkward encounter with Steve Carell on the set of The Big Short.

Appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Gosling recalled how Carell reacted when he first saw him in character as Jared Vennett, complete with a dark, curly wig. 

“He just stared at me and said, ‘Never do this again,’” Gosling shared, joking that it was the last thing he wanted to hear from a scene partner.

The comment left a lasting impression, with Gosling admitting he largely avoided wigs in his roles afterward until now.

In his latest film, Project Hail Mary, Gosling takes on the role of Ryland Grace, a science teacher-turned-astronaut. 

His character initially appears with shoulder-length hair and a bushy beard, a look he humorously described as a “space caveman.”

Despite his hesitation, the actor embraced the transformation for the project, which follows his character’s mission in space to save Earth from extinction and his unexpected bond with an extraterrestrial companion.

Gosling also spoke about his long-standing fascination with space, a theme that has recurred in his career, including roles in First Man and the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter. 

He described space as both “infinite and very mysterious,” noting that while he continues to explore it through film, it remains difficult to fully comprehend.

“I think I’ll make another movie and I’ll get it—but I never do,” he said, adding that the process of trying to understand it is what makes the journey rewarding.