Ryan Gosling Circling 'Houdini', 'Dr. Strange' and 'Suicide Squad'

The 'Lost River' director is eying not just one or two but three potential blockbusters including 'Suicide Squad' for his next starring vehicle.

Ryan Gosling who has enjoyed a successful career without starring in any big studio franchise is now reportedly setting his eyes on tentpole film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former Disney star is pursuing Summit's "The Secret Life of Houdini" and Marvel's "Dr. Strange".

"Houdini" was initially supposed to star Johnny Depp who is now heading Down Under to film "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales". Based on William Kalush and Larry Sloman's book, the film will portray Houdini not only as a famed magician and master escape artist but also as an investigator of the world of occult.

In the "Dr. Strange" casting mix, Gosling joins Ewan McGregor, Jake Gyllenhaal, Matthew McConaughey, Oscar Isaac, Jared Leto and Ethan Hawke in a stiff competition to win the coveted role of the Sorcerer Supreme. Marvel was forced to find another actor after their favorite Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of negotiations.

On top of that, Gosling is also mentioned as a candidate for "Suicide Squad", a Warner Bros. adaptation of DC Comics' supervillain team. The former child star is lined up along with Margot Robbie, Tom Hardy and Will Smith for the anti-hero flick to be directed by David Ayer for a 2016 release.

Gosling who just welcomed his first daughter with girlfriend Eva Mendes was last seen in crime thriller "Only God Forgives". He recently wrote, directed and produced fantasy-neo-noir film "Lost River" starring his girlfriend and actress Christina Hendricks. He will next star in an untitled Terrence Malick project and will film Shane Black's "The Nice Guys" opposite Russell Crowe.