Ryan Gosling Discovers R. Kelly Commonality

Ryan Gosling couldn't figure out why he always thought of R. Kelly when he saw promotional material for his new movie Gangster Squad ... that was until he compared the film's posters to the Trapped In the Closet images.

"When I saw the posters for the Gangster Squad, I just kept hearing R. Kelly songs in my head," the actor, 31, admitted on Thursday's Jimmy Kimmel Live! (about two minutes into video).

RELATED PICS: Gosling and Emma Stone at Gangster Squad Premiere 

"I couldn't understand why so I called my friend Kay who is an expert in all things R. Kelly. ... And then he sent me this (shows split of movie posters)."

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Do you see the resemblance?! Gangster Squad hits theaters tomorrow, Jan. 11.