Ryan Gosling’s new film The Fall Guy sparks controversy over ‘distasteful’ joke about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.

Any fans of Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt will be buzzing to know their new film together, The Fall Guy, has finally hit UK cinemas today (2 May).

The action-packed rom-com, which is from David Leitch AKA the man behind a bunch of action classics including Bullet Train and Deadpool 2, The Fall Guy is inspired by hit 1980s TV series of the same name, has already been receiving a whole bunch of praise.

However, one part of the flick has clearly sparked some major controversy due to the 'distasteful' joke about Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Now, Gosling, 43, plays the character of Colt Seavers, a battle-scarred stuntman, who left La La Land to focus on both his physical and mental health.

But, he finds himself getting pulled back into service when the star of a mega-budget studio movie - being directed by his ex, Jody Moreno (Blunt) - goes missing.

The film's producer, played by Sex Education's Hannah Waddingham, sneakily tries to keep the disappearance of star Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) a secret while Colt performs the film’s most outrageous stunts while trying to charm his way back into Jody’s good graces.

However, as the mystery around the missing star deepens, Colt soon finds himself entangled in a sinister, criminal plot that ends up pushing him to the edge of a fall more dangerous than any stunt.

Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in The Fall Guy. (Universal Pictures)

Now, without giving too much away, there's reportedly a scene in the film that sees Hannah's character make a reference to the extremely tumultuous relationship between Johnny and Amber, whose highly publicised defamation case saw domestic violence allegations being made.

Her character, Gail Meyer, can be seen walking into a pretty untidy trailer before saying to Jody (Blunt): "It’s like Amber and Johnny were just in here."

People have since taken to social media to share their reactions to the comment with one X, formerly Twitter, user writing: "The Fall Guy made a distasteful 'joke' about the domestic abuse Amber suffered at the hands of Johnny.

"It’s 2024, why are we writing these kinds of lines into movies? Nasty work."

People slammed the comment made by Hannah Waddingham's character as 'distasteful'. (Universal Pictures)

Another hit out: "Everyone should be aware that the new 'comedy' movie The Fall Guy (which is getting a wide theatrical release in a few weeks) allegedly makes a cheap Amber / J*hnny joke. Would love to ask the writer what he thinks is so funny about domestic violence…"

The Fall Guy premiers in UK cinemas on Thursday (2 May).

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 3pm-10pm, Monday to Friday.

Topics: Ryan Gosling, TV And Film, Celebrity, Johnny Depp

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.