Here’s a rundown of everything we’ve learned so far regarding the Barbie film.
Margot Robbie will play the title role, and Ryan Gosling has been cast as Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken. Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, and Oscar winner Emerald Fennell are among the other famous actors joining the LuckyChap Entertainment production. Perhaps most intriguingly, Sex Education’s Emma Mackey has signed on to appear alongside Netflix co-star Ncuti Gatwa in an unnamed capacity, with rumors swirling that the Robbie doppelgänger will portray one of Barbie’s three younger sisters, Skipper, Chelsea, and Stacie.
The story revolves around a Barbie doll who is exiled from Barbieland owing to her perceived flaws, embarking on an adventure in the real world and realizing along the way that true perfection can only be discovered within. If it seems dreadfully clichéd, keep in mind that feminist auteur Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) is writing and directing the film, with help from her partner Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story).
Warner Bros Pictures revealed at CinemaCon 2022 in Las Vegas that the picture will be released in theaters on July 21, 2023.
The first teaser video, released on December 16, contains the first footage of Margot Robbie in character, clad in a black and white striped one-piece and retro shades, and begins with a false serious narration discussing the invention of the Barbie doll. Also worthy of mention? A bird’s-eye view of her pastel-hued universe; Ryan Gosling and Ncuti Gatwa in dubious clothes; Issa Rae in a “President” sash; Simu Liu dancing; and Robbie in a sparkling gown at the center of an extravagant musical act. We can’t wait much longer.
According to Margot Robbie, the film will consider prior criticisms of Barbie, as well as her own casting in the lead role in the biography.
In her cover interview for British Vogue’s August 2021 issue, Robbie confessed that creating a live-action Barbie film “comes with a lot of baggage” as well as “a lot of nostalgic ties”. “But with that come[s] a lot of intriguing ways to attack it. People hear ‘Barbie’ and say, ‘I know what that movie is going to be,’ and then they hear Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it and think, ‘Oh, well, maybe I don’t…'” It’s no secret that the franchise’s lack of diversity has always been a source of contention – something Gerwig will have to address head-on with the sequel.
Amy Schumer, another famous blonde, took over the role from Robbie.
After agreeing to work on the movie with Diablo Cody, the actor eventually stepped out owing to disagreements over the substance of the picture. “They obviously didn’t want to do it the way I wanted to do it, the only way I was interested in doing it,” Schumer explained to The Hollywood Reporter, adding that when she tried to make Barbie an inventor in her script, she was told to make her an inventor… of Jell-O stilettos. Another red flag: she was given a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes as a gift to celebrate obtaining the role. “I should have said, ‘You’ve got the wrong gal,’ since that’s exactly what every woman must want.” Meanwhile, Cody walked away from the project after failing to write a script that she felt did the material justice.
Gerwig was initially concerned that the picture might be “a career-ender.”
In November, the filmmaker appeared on Dua Lipa’s At Your Service podcast, where she discussed her decision to take on the contentious project. “It was something exhilarating because it was terrifying,” she said. “I believe that was a significant part of it, like, ‘Oh, no, Barbie.’… Starting to write it felt like vertigo, like, ‘Where do you even begin, and what would be the story?’… That’s usually where the best stuff is, when you’re thinking, ‘I’m afraid of that.’ Anything where you think, ‘This may be a career-ender,’ you think, ‘I should probably try it.'”
Ryan Gosling is as excited about his role as the rest of us.
Following the release of the first photographs of Gosling in costume – his custom Ken boxers showing above his bleached jeans – the La La Land star expressed his delight at landing the role. “Finally, it’s happening,” he joked with Variety while promoting The Gray Man on Netflix. “This has been coming my entire life… I had the impression that I was witnessing myself. I felt noticed. When they see this, I believe many Kens will feel seen. It has to be done for the sake of the Kens. Nobody wants to play with the Kens.” He also alluded to the film’s theme by comparing his Barbie persona to The Gray Man. “I believe that Ken’s life is much more difficult than The Gray Man’s existence… Ken doesn’t have any money, no work, no car, and no place to live. He’s going through a lot.”
There’s still some uncertainty about how much Greta Gerwig’s movie will deal with Mattel lore Barbie and everyone in her sphere. According to Mattel, the doll – whose full name is, of course, Barbara Millicent Roberts – is from a fictional town in Wisconsin, is a Pisces, and has had over 200 occupations ranging from firefighter to CEO to surgeon. She also went to space in 1965, ran for president in 1992, and divorced Ken in 2004 before reconciling with him in 2011. Based on the ensembles Robbie has been pictured wearing on set, Gerwig appears to be referencing certain variations of the doll over the years – like Hot Skatin’ Barbie from 1994 – while putting her own twist on things.