Ryan Gosling Will Make His Directing Debut With How To Catch A Monster

Few can lay claim to being one of the hottest movie stars of the last year or so, but Ryan Gosling sure can. We know that the Drive and Crazy, Stupid, Love star is one of Hollywood’s most wanted talents in front of the camera, but what about behind it?

We’ll know soon enough, as Gosling, along with Marc Platt Productions and Bold Films, has announced How To Catch A Monster, a film that he wrote which will serve as the actor’s first directing credit.

Gosling’s Drive co-star, Christina Hendricks, will play the lead in a film that the press release describes as blending “fantasy noir and suspense into a modern day fairytale.”

Here’s a description of the plot:

Set against the surreal dreamscape of a vanishing city, Billy, a single mother of two, is swept into a macabre and dark fantasy underworld while her teenage son discovers a secret road leading to an underwater town. Both Billy and Bones must dive deep into the mystery, if their family is to survive.

The title sounds like it would be perfect for some DreamWorks-Pixar collaboration involving films How To Train Your Dragon and Monsters Inc., but kidding aside, Gosling’s track record suggests he will be more than competent as the one pulling the strings.

Platt sounds very confident in him as well:

“We are thrilled to be producing Ryan Gosling’s debut as a writer & director and continue our collaboration which began on DRIVE. He has composed a beautifully haunting script and has a very clear vision of how he will bring it to life. His ability to draw audiences into his world as an actor will serve him well as a filmmaker.”

The announcement comes right before the Toronto International Film Festival, where the film looks to find a buyer for international distribution.

How To Catch A Monster plans to film this spring. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more.