The approaching 10th anniversary of the musical romantic-comedy “La La Land” by Damien Chazelle is generating buzz among fans. Instead of discussing the film’s cinematography or its famous ending, the focus has shifted to Ryan Gosling’s hand positioning in a key scene.
Lionsgate Studios recently revealed a new poster for the celebratory re-release of “La La Land,” addressing an aspect that Gosling himself admitted “haunts” him. During a 2024 interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gosling expressed a desire to revisit his portrayal of jazz pianist Sebastian Wilder, specifically referencing a dance sequence with Emma Stone where he chose to position his hand in a distinctive manner that he now regrets.
In response to Gosling’s comments, Lionsgate modified the poster to align Gosling’s hand gesture more closely with Stone’s, reflecting a straighter pose. This adjustment was met with mixed reactions from fans, with some expressing disappointment that the original pose conveyed the film’s themes more effectively.
Justin Manfredi, Lionsgate’s executive vice-president of worldwide television marketing, mentioned that Gosling was pleased with the change when consulted. However, not all fans share Gosling’s sentiment, as evidenced by social media comments critiquing the altered poster.
Gosling himself humorously attempted to rectify the situation earlier this year, jokingly referring to it as his “Hail Mary” moment. Despite the mixed reception, the modified poster aims to address Gosling’s personal critique of his hand positioning in the iconic scene.
