Ryan Gosling Nearly Lost Drive To Marcel Marceau

Little Known Ryan Gosling Fact:

While Ryan Goslingis to silent stares what Captain Kirk was to strategically torn Starfleet uniforms, people don’t realize how close the new Hollywood heartthrob came to losing the part of Driver (the quiet badass in the movie Drive). The part was originally written for famous French mime Marcel Marceau, who died in 2007, forcing producers to hire Ryan Gosling. Below we have some of the original script (featuring Marcel) paired with the final script featuring Ryan Gosling.

Would it have been a different movie? You be the judge.

See if you can spot the subtle differences:

Marcel Marceau As Driver

Ryan Gosling As Driver

Driver gets a non-descript car scene:

Shannon:You look like a zombie kid. You gettin some sleep? Can I offer you any Benzedrine, Dexadrine, Caffine, Nicotine … Oh you don’t smoke, that’s right, better off. There she is! Chevy Impala. The most popular car in the state of California. No one will be looking at you. (throws car keys to driver)

Driver:(Pretending to fight an imaginary heavy wind as he moves toward Shannon. Catches car keys)

Driver gets a non-descript car scene:

Shannon:You look like a zombie kid. You gettin some sleep? Can I offer you any Benzedrine, Dexadrine, Caffine, Nicotine … Oh you don’t smoke, that’s right, better off. There she is! Chevy Impala. The most popular car in the state of California. No one will be looking at you.(throws car keys to driver)

Driver:(Stares. Catches keys)

Driver meets Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) for the first time:

Bernie:Nice to meet you.(puts out hand to shake)

Driver:(Leans on an imaginary lampost. Stares.)

Driver meets Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) for the first time:

Bernie:Nice to meet you.(puts out hand to shake)

Driver:(Stares.)

Driver confronts Standard about being beat up:

Standard: You going to go beat them up for me, hey stunt guy? Why the f– do you want to know who they are? HuSh?

Driver:(Climbs an imaginary ladder. Stares.)

Driver confronts Standard about being beat up:

Standard: You going to go beat them up for me, hey stunt guy? Why the f– do you want to know who they are? Huh?

Driver:(Stares.) Driver finds himself in elevator with killer:

Driver: (Pretends to be trapped in invisible box, killer is delighted by the irony that they ARE already in a box and can’t bring himself to hurt Driver.) Driver finds himself in elevator with killer:

Driver: (Attacks killer and kicks his skull into pulp with boot heel.)