Ryan Gosling eyed for Neil Armstrong biopic from 'Whiplash' filmmaker

That's one small step for Ryan Gosling, one giant leap for Goslingkind.

Ryan Gosling eyed for role in Neil Armstrong biopic. (Getty)

Deadline reports that developing Neil Armstrong biopic First Man is looking to nab Ryan Gosling as its lead, as well as securing the talents of Whiplash's director, Damien Chazelle.

The screenplay, an adaptation of James Hansen's biography of the astronaut entitled First Man: A Life of Neil, is currently in the hands of Spotlight-scribe Josh Singer.

Armstrong, of course, secured his place in the history books as the first person ever to walk on the Moon, on 21 July 1969. Yet, the Apollo 11 was actually Armstrong's second (though last) spaceflight; his Air Force pilot credentials meant he also secured the honour of becoming NASA's first civilian astronaut to fly in space, acting as command pilot of Gemini 8 in March 1966. 

The project may have secured stellar names all-round, but the real hook might well be that this would actually spell Gosling and Chazelle's second collaboration in the works. They're currently both in production of musical La La Land, with Gosling and Emma Stone pairing up as a young, creative couple attempting to survive the cutthroat Los Angeles scene. 

Before then, however, we'll get to see Gosling in Adam McKay's The Big Short, out 22 January; his first return to the big screen after his widely publicised break from acting in 2013.