TBS Report
24 October, 2026, 12:00 am
Last modified: 24 October, 2026, 12:06 am
Actor Ryan Gosling's indie music project Dead Man's Bones has hinted at a possible return with new music, 17 years after releasing its only studio album.
The development follows a social media exchange involving Gosling's wife, Eva Mendes, and a cryptic post from the band's official Instagram account, which has fuelled speculation about a comeback.
On 21 October, Mendes shared a gothic-themed video by Fiona Florence on Instagram, featuring Dead Man's Bones' song "In the Room Where You Sleep".
Calling it one of her favourite songs, she wrote that she wished the band had new music coming out.
When a fan asked whether she knew something others did not, Mendes replied, "Maybe I do…"
Shortly afterwards, the band's official Instagram account shared a snippet of spoken-word audio, which some fans believe is titled "Hypnotism". Further details are expected on 27 October.
Dead Man's Bones, formed by Gosling and musician Zach Shields, released their self-titled debut album in October 2009.
Conceived as the soundtrack to a play about a monster, a ghost and a love story, the record blended indie rock with eerie, theatrical elements. Despite releasing no new music since, the album continues to attract more than 390,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
During promotional activities for Barbie in 2023, Gosling said a reunion was possible, adding, "Never say never."
Earlier this year, he told NME that his friendship with Shields grew from their shared love of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride and Disney's distinctive approach to spooky storytelling.
The duo initially aimed to play every instrument on their album themselves, even those they had not learned to play, although Gosling acknowledged that others had helped make the recordings work.
To promote the album, the band performed a series of shows at churches, synagogues and cabaret venues in 2009.
They reunited for several live performances the following year but have not performed together on stage since.