Kravitz As Gaye, Gosling Goes Gruesome

Two handsome actors. Two interesting roles.

Lenny Kravitz (48) and Ryan Gosling (32) are both in the news for their upcoming movie roles.

First up is Kravitz, who has been tapped to portray American soul singer Marvin Gaye in an upcoming biopic directed by Julian Temple. Temple has directed the Sex Pistols film The Great Rock n’ Roll Swindle, Glastonbury and Absolute Beginners as well as the recent documentary London: The Modern Babylon.

Kravitz will portray Gaye in his later years as the singer lived in London in the early 1980’s while battling alcohol addiction and unpaid tax issues. Gaye died after being shot by his father on March 31, 1984.

Kravitz is of course known mainly for his musical career, but has been dabbling in acting the last few years. He’s appeared in Precious in 2009 and had his first major film role as Cinna in The Hunger Games.

And then there’s Ryan Gosling. Is anyone hotter these days? Well, if you’re used to seeing him look hot, try not to look at this movie poster that just got released. The film Only God Forgives is a crime thriller and stars Gosling as a criminal who lives in Bangkok and runs a Muay Thai boxing club. Kristin Scott-Thomas co-stars.

In the poster, his handsome face is battered and swollen. Not the usual way Gosling films are marketed! The film is set to be released later next year and reunites Gosling with his director from the 2011 hit Drive, Nicholas Winding Refn.

But there’s hope! I figure if he’s playing a fighter, you just know we’ll be seeing the usual buff Gosling physique on display in this film, right?

So what do you think?

Will Kravitz have the acting chops to be a leading man as Marvin Gaye?

And is the Gosling poster way too gruesome?