Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Kayleigh Donaldson | Film | August 27, 2026
I wrote a piece a few weeks ago arguing that Ryan Gosling is reinventing himself as a bona-fide blockbuster leading man in the mould of Tom Cruise. He’s stepped away from the indies that made him one to watch and has lined up a ton of big IP projects where he’ll get to flex, quip, and smoulder for a high eight-figure payday. But what next for our baby goose? He’s already signed up for Marvel and Star Wars, so what other big beloved franchise can he put his clout behind? How about… wait, just checking my notes here… The Flintstones?
According to Deadline, Gosling is attached to co-produce a new live-action Flintstones movie. Hey, it’s been over 25 years since they viva-ed Rock Vegas, so why not? But this one will focus on Bamm-Bamm as an adult. Seems very Ken-esque, right? Bamm-Bamm, you young ‘uns may not remember, was Barney and Betty Rubble’s kid, and in the ’70s, he got his own spin-off. Now, he’s hip and modern for our torrid times, apparently. The people cry out for the revival of Bedrock. You can’t swing a dino-vacuum around this place without hitting someone who’s just desperate for more of the Flintstones. That’ll bring Hollywood back to life.
No word on whether Gosling will star in this film. Maybe he could be Fred, although he’d need to go no the Lovely Bones dad diet to prepare for that role.
This feels like a gag from The Studio but it’s also in line with Gosling’s whole deal nowadays. He’s here to make money, amuse his kids, and not spend months torturing himself in difficult roles for indie films that only a handful of people will ever see. The industry isn’t exactly taking big swings either, so he’s working within that restrictive framework. Still, it is kind of dull, right? Who knows, maybe Gosling will find the next Greta Gerwig and he’ll turn the Bamm-Bamm movie into a Barbie-style critical darling that breaks beyond the stifling limitations of IP farming. But it’s hard to get over the big selling point of this all being a spin-off live-action movie of The Flintstones. You’ve got all that money and you go for this? Sure, why not?
