Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell are teaming up for Tough Guys movie, proving that Hollywood’s most unlikely buddy cop pairing doesn’t actually need badges to kick ass and take names. Amazon MGM Studios just greenlit this action-comedy about two henchmen who decide being expendable isn’t their career goal after all.
Henchmen Heroes
The Tough Guys movie originated from Daniel Gold’s spec screenplay about criminal underlings who “break free from the criminal underworld and rewrite the rules as they abandon their ruthless boss and dodge the elite assassin on their trail.” Gold, known for writing all seven seasons of Workin’ Moms, crafted a premise that Gold himself described on Instagram as “Oh…oh boy” and “NUH UH” when the casting news broke.
Gosling discovered the script first and personally brought Ferrell aboard the project. “Gosling played a key role in bringing Ferrell on board after he became captivated by the screenplay,” according to production sources. The Tough Guys movie represents Gosling’s continued exploration of action-comedy territory following The Nice Guys and The Fall Guy.
Production Partners
The Tough Guys movie benefits from established producing relationships. Gosling and Jessie Henderson produce through Open Invite Entertainment, while Ferrell and Jessica Elbaum handle production via Gloria Sanchez Productions. Trevor Engelson and Aaron Folbe from Underground serve as executive producers.
No director has been attached yet, but Amazon MGM Studios represents familiar territory for both stars. Gosling headlines the studio’s upcoming Project Hail Mary (March 20, 2026), while Ferrell recently starred in You’re Cordially Invited and has several projects in development including Street Justice and a Netflix golf series.
Comedy Evolution
The Tough Guys movie arrives as both actors explore different comedic territories. Ferrell’s recent projects balance his signature absurdist humor with more grounded dramatic elements, while Gosling continues mining comedy gold from his stoic screen persona, an approach that earned him an Oscar nomination for Barbie.
“Two low-level criminals grow weary of being expendable pawns and decide to forge their own path, leaving behind their dangerous world to create a fresh start and make their own rules,” according to the official synopsis. The premise allows both actors to subvert their established screen personalities while delivering the action-comedy thrills Amazon audiences expect.
Pre-production begins with script development and director search, with filming potentially starting late 2025 or early 2026. The Tough Guys movie positioning within Amazon’s expanding content slate suggests significant budget and marketing support for this original intellectual property.
Whether Gosling and Ferrell’s comedic chemistry translates into box office success remains to be seen, but their Barbie collaboration proved they can elevate material through committed performances and genuine mutual respect.
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