Can we expect Gosling behind the wheel soon?

When it was announced late last year that author James Sallis was ready to release a sequel novel to his hit book-turned-movie Drive, many got very excited after the incredible film won over plenty of fans. The violent drama was snubbed from any major awards, but still it’s pop culture status has been one that has not only been mixed, but still strong months after its release. Now, it seems those who love the movie will be getting their dream come true in the form of a big screen continuation.

In an interview with The Independent, Sallis reveals that his recently released sequel novel Driven ”is in the movie pipeline.” Sallis remarks that “they love the book”, but fails to go into any more detail. He remarks that when writing the book, ”It was difficult not to visualise Ryan Gosling playing the role when I wrote the sequel. I think he really made the character his own. Of course, they made changes in the script – but it has the blood, heart and guts of the book – it feels like my film.”

But, will Gosling and director Nicolas Winding Refn reunite? The actor/director combo are currently hard at work on Only God Forgives, and after the unique living arrangements the two found themselves in during the production of Drive (the two roomed together during filming) it seems both men have bonded for the better. Refn has said that if a sequel were to be made he intends for it to feature two drivers, one of them a villain counterpart to Ryan Gosling’s Driver. Gosling, meanwhile, has said he would “love to make a Drive 2″ but doesn’t want to be making one too similar to the first film.

The sequel takes place six years after Drive, so there’s really no pressure on time right now. Gosling is scheduled to start filming Terrence Malick’s next movie in September, while he’ll reteam again with Refn on a remake of Logan’s Run. WhileDriven could in fact take priority, it’s likely that it will be some time before any major developments emerge. Though Sallis confirms a sequel, there’s no clear indication as to whether or not Gosling, Refn, or Carey Mulligan will be back, but it’ll be hard to imagine a big screen second film with anyone else in the scorpion jacket.

We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available in the future.