Following his turn as Holland March earlier this year in the comedy The Nice Guys, Ryan Gosling can be seen on the big screen in December's La La Land, the musical comedy-drama that was wonderfully received at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month. However, he wasn't originally the man who was being eyed for the male lead. Originally that role was offered to Miles Teller, and while the War Dogs star has said the gig was taken away from him, now it's being reported that financial issues were the real reasons for him not starring in the movie.
Last year, Teller explained how Lionsgate called his agent to tell him that the director abruptly decided to let him go from La La Land because he wasn't creatively right. However, THR has heard from "sources close to the project" that Teller had actually been holding out for more money, but he never got his deal. The actor reportedly wasn't keen on taking a $4 million offer, and as negotiations continued, eventually he just wasn't available anymore. It's noted that Teller would have had to spend a few weeks learning how to play the piano before the August 2015 production start, but he decided to shoot The Divergent Series: Allegiant during that time instead.
While we can't say for sure whether the real reason for Miles Teller being dropped from La La Land was due to not being creatively right for the role or this financial dispute (though the latter is often the cause for casting snafus), it was definitely a lost opportunity for the actor. Teller previously appeared in La La Land director/writer Damien Chapelle's movie Whiplash, so presumably they would have worked well together again. On the other hand, if Teller really did send that "What the fuck, bro?" text to Chapelle after finding out he wasn't cast, that certainly isn't a good sign for their relationship. Regardless, Ryan Gosling swooped in to snag the role, and moviegoers will see him leading La La Land alongside Emma Stone in a few months time.
Set in modern day Los Angeles, La La Land will follow the romance between aspiring actress Mia, played by Emma Stone, and musician Sebastian, played by Ryan Gosling. However, as their love for each other grows, their rising success and dreams will threaten to break them apart. From what we've seen in the previews so far, La La Land will be one of the more beautiful movies of 2016, with its romantic story, gorgeous settings and lovely songs. Along with Gosling and Stone, the cast also includes J.K. Simmons, Finn Wittrock, Tom Everett Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Meagen Fay and John Legend.
La La Land hits theaters on December 2, and make sure to click here to read what our own Sean O'Connell thought of the movie.
