Ryan Gosling, the dreamy hunk & laudable talent, has become an emblematic figure of Tinseltown, especially after the colossal hit, Barbie. From the gripping action thriller Drive to the epic crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines, and, of course, to the financial maestro in The Big Short, his artistry spans a kaleidoscope of roles.
And who could overlook that spontaneous quip in The Big Short that had us all convinced of his impromptu prowess? Yes, this 2015 biographical crime comedy-drama, in which Gosling’s brazen remark about his “math specialist”, piqued our interest with its raw spontaneity. Rumors have long circulated that the quip in which his character calls out the Asian guy (Ted Jiang) for doing all of his math was an unscripted genius moment, leaving viewers in awe of Gosling’s acting genius.
However, Stanley Wong, the actor behind the memorable face of Ted Jiang, addressed the swirling rumors with a dash of truth. Wong stated unequivocally that despite Gosling’s flair for improv, that particular dialogues adhered to the script.
Ryan Gosling’s The Big Short Co-star Spilled the Beans
Critical and commercial success, The Big Short, helmed by Adam McKay, delves deep into the complexities of the financial world, highlighting the events leading up to the 2007-2008 housing market crash. One particular scene that has sparked curiosity & debate among viewers is when Ryan Gosling’s character, Jared Vennett, calls out the Asian guy for doing all his math.
In the scene, Vennett points out the Asian guy as his quantitative and math specialist, making a comment about his appearance that suggests he is the typical stereotype of an Asian math whiz. Many viewers believed that this moment was unscripted, which added authenticity to the dynamic of the characters.
However, the actor who played that Asian guy (see IMDb), Stanley Wong, recently debunked this major behind-the-scenes rumor. In a comment on Instagram, he clarified that the scene was all scripted and that Gosling did some improvisation, but none of it made it into the final cut of the movie:
As the Asian guy in this movie, this was all scripted. Ryan did some improv, but none of it made it in the movie.
Anyway, if nothing else, the long-running rumor about the movie—which is based on Michael Lewis’ 2010 book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine—has finally been debunked. In case you missed it, Gosling’s Jared Vennett works as a Wall Street broker and cunning opportunist in the movie, co-produced by Brad Pitt.
How Ryan Gosling Nailed the Finance Game in The Big Short
Starring Steve Carell, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Marisa Tomei, and Ryan Gosling, among others, Adam McKay—director of films like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Step Brother—helmed The Big Short.
The Hollywood Reporter once spoke with Gosling, who expressed that he felt McKay made the film “educational” without being patronizing. The actor also added that he learned a lot from it:
Especially in a film that could become very preachy, it is unique. It is educational and it is heart breaking. I think there’s a tone in the movie that’s unique and unique to Adam, which is that he’s outraged by something but he hasn’t lost his sense of humor about it.”
McKay also talked with the publication about his approach to enlightening the public about the complex and diverse world of mortgage banking:
The second I realized I could talk to the audience — that changed the whole narrative of the script.
To help moviegoers understand more difficult concepts, McKay brought in real-life celebrities like Selena Gomez and Margot Robbie. In the Paramount film, Gosling’s Jared Vennett also acts as a narrator and walks viewers through the years preceding the crash:
The real guy connected a lot of people, so I saw him as the Charon leading us across the river Styx. I told Ryan that he is our lizard person guiding us through this.
Needless to say, that proved to be wise, as the film turned into a critical and financial hit, earning $133 million on a $50 million budget (Box Office Mojo) and garnering applause for McKay’s directing and editing.
Next up for Gosling is the science fiction flick Project Hail Mary, which is based on Andy Weir’s book of the same title. The film, directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, is scheduled to be released on March 20, 2026.
Stream The Big Short on Paramount+.
