In what could prove to be a very exciting pairing, Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe are both in talks to co-star in the noir film The Nice Guys. The film will be directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Iron Man 3) who also co-wrote the script.

The story is set in 1970’s Los Angeles, where two alcoholic detectives join forces to investigate the supposed suicide of a porn star when her aunt claims to have seen her alive after the alleged incident took place. The investigation leads them into a web of conspiracy with implications beyond what either of them could have anticipated.

Gosling and Crowe are no strangers to the noir genre. Back in 1997 Crowe starred as police detective Bud White in the critically acclaimed L.A. Confidential; Gosling starred as Sgt. Jerry Wooters in last year’s Gangster Squad. While their on-screen pairing would certainly be a welcome development, neither actor has committed to the project, and the production schedule may interfere with Crowe’s publicity campaign for his directorial debut The Water Diviner. 

Regardless of the casting (but still, keep your fingers crossed!), The Nice Guys could have the makings of a compelling detective story. We’ll keep you posted as the details of this project fall into place.