Following its underwhelming box office performance, the latest update on Ryan Gosling‘s 2024 action comedy The Fall Guy comes from director David Leitch, offering cautious optimism about a possible sequel. Despite the film earning an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and blending action with humor and romance, it struggled to meet financial expectations after its release.
The Fall Guy features Gosling as Colt Seavers, a stuntman who embarks on a high-stakes mission to find a missing movie star after a serious accident. Alongside Gosling, the cast includes Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Hannah Waddingham. While critics and audiences praised the film’s practical stunts and comedic elements, its box office tally of $181 million worldwide fell short of expectations relative to its substantial budget.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director David Leitch revealed that he and Gosling have already entertained ideas for extending the story. Though a follow-up project is not currently planned, the director indicated that enduring fan interest could eventually prompt a sequel.
Ryan and us had early conversations and some treatments of where this is going. We had some really fun ideas. So who knows, maybe down the line it becomes one of those IPs that people want to revisit because it has such a following past theatrical. That would be my dream, but if it doesn’t, there’s a lot of other stories to tell.
—David Leitch, Director
Box Office Results and Future of The Fall Guy Franchise
Although The Fall Guy‘s $181 million global gross might appear respectable on its own, the film’s large production budget—approximately $130 million—implies a much higher break-even threshold. Under standard Hollywood economics, movies typically need to earn about two and a half times their budget to recoup costs theatrically, placing that target near $325 million for this title. The film clearly fell well short of this benchmark.
To justify a sequel after these results, The Fall Guy would likely have to demonstrate ongoing success through digital sales, video on demand, or streaming platforms over an extended period. Even then, if a follow-up is approved, it would probably operate with a more modest budget. The film’s solid critical reception and positive audience ratings—an 84% Popcornmeter score coupled with its Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score—reflect that viewers who watched it generally enjoyed the experience.
Ryan Gosling’s versatility as an actor, from his early breakthrough in The Notebook (2004) to varied roles in thrillers, romantic comedies, and musicals, remains evident. His recent acclaimed performance as Ken in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023), which earned him an Oscar nomination, shows his broad appeal. That film’s huge success has led to anticipation of a Barbie sequel, contrasting with the more uncertain future of The Fall Guy franchise.
Past Gosling projects such as Blade Runner 2049 and First Man, while critically praised, also had underwhelming box office returns. The mixed financial reception of The Fall Guy aligns with this pattern. Still, director Leitch’s acknowledgment of “really fun ideas” for continuation leaves room for hope that the project might be revisited if audience enthusiasm sustains.
What Fans Can Expect Moving Forward
Though there is no immediate plan for The Fall Guy sequel, the conversation between Gosling and Leitch suggests that the story’s universe is not closed. The director’s mention of the film potentially becoming an intellectual property with a dedicated following beyond theatrical release points to a long-term strategy rather than an abrupt end.
If a sequel is developed, it will likely reflect lessons from the original’s box office performance, including a leaner approach to budgeting. Meanwhile, the positive reception on platforms tracking audience enjoyment highlights that The Fall Guy cultivated a solid fan base, which may influence future production decisions.
Ultimately, Ryan Gosling’s continued success across a variety of genres and his evolving career trajectory mean the prospect of revisiting roles like Colt Seavers remains possible. For now, viewers should temper expectations but not dismiss the potential for The Fall Guy to return in some form down the line.
