Ryan Gosling missed the Wednesday premiere of his latest film Only God Forgives at the Cannes Film Festival, according to The Associated Press.

The 32-year-old, was has the lead role in the film, wasn't able to make the event because he is currently in Detroit shooting the film How to Catch a Monster. The fantasy thriller, written by Gosling, is also the first movie the Oscar-nominated actor is directing. Eva Mendes, Christina Hendricks and Saoirse Ronan all star in the film.

Despite being busy behind the camera, Gosling didn't leave the people at Cannes hanging. The Canadian actor wrote a letter to the festival's director Thierry Fremaux explaining his nonattendance. The letter was read by Fremaux in French at a press conference held the same day as the movie's premiere.

"I can't believe that I'm not in Cannes with you," the actor wrote in the letter. "I was hoping to be coming but I am in the third week of shooting my movie. I miss you all."

He also made sure to send a few kind words to Nicolas Winding Refn, the director of Only God Forgives.

"Nicolas, my friend, we really are the same, simply in different worlds and I am sending you good vibrations," Gosling wrote. "I am with you all."

In the movie Gosling plays Julian, a drug-smuggler living in Bangkok, Thailand, who is on a mission to find the person accountable for his brother's death. Only God Forgives is the actor's second time working with Refn. In 2011, the pair collaborated on the drama Drive.

It seems Gosling's absence was justified by his letter. Fremaux told the crowd, "He is not with us physically, but as he stated, his thoughts are with us."

Only God Forgives hits U.S. theaters on July 19.

Tags: ryan gosling Cannes Film Festival 2013