Everything We Know About The Upcoming 'Barbie' Film
It's Barbie's world, and we're all just living in it.
Ever since news broke out in 2019 that Margot Robbie would be playing the role of the iconic Malibu Barbie doll in a live-action film, fans have been excited to know more. There have been several animated Barbie movies in the last 20 years, but according to Robbie, the film slated to release in 2023 will be "the thing you didn't know you wanted."
Director Greta Gerwig (Little Women, Lady Bird) will be adapting the film from a script she wrote with her husband, filmmaker Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story). Co-producers include Warner Bros., Mattel, and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap Entertainment.
While many details are still under wraps, here is everything we know about Gerwig's Barbie film.
Plot
The PG-13 comedy film's plot can be summarized as a journey of self-discovery. Barbie is kicked out of Barbieland for being unconventional and breaking the rules of what a doll is supposed to look/act like. She goes on a quest to the real world, where she realizes that the concepts of perfection and happiness are not in line with what she previously thought and has to save Barbieland before it's too late.
Cast
Barbie's never-ending star A-list cast is already making it one of the most anticipated films of the upcoming year.
Two-time Oscar nominee Margot Robbie stars as the blonde fashion doll alongside Golden Globe winner Ryan Gosling, who will play her longtime boyfriend, Ken. This classic couple needs no introduction, but it will be interesting to see who else appears from the nostalgic line of dolls.
In April, comedian Will Ferrell also announced he was joining Gerwig's film as the CEO of a toy company, a nod to Mattel, which manufactures Barbie dolls in real life.
With yet-to-be-revealed roles, the supporting cast includes Robbie's Bombshell co-star Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live), Emmy-winner America Ferrera (Superstore, Ugly Betty), and Marvel star Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings).
Also joining the cast in unnamed roles are Hari Nef, who recently played a trans rabbi on the Sex and the City revival series And Just Like That, and Alexandra Shipp, who starred opposite Andrew Garfield in Tick, Tick…Boom!
Recently announced cast members include Sex-Education stars Ncuti Gatwa, Connor Swindells, and Emma Mackey, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Robbie. The star-studded cast doesn't end there, as several other high-profile actors have signed onto the project, including Issa Rae (Insecure), Michael Cera (Superbad), Kingsley Ben-Adir (High Fidelity), Rhea Perlman, Ritu Arya, Sharon Rooney, Scott Evans, Ana Cruz Kayne, and Jamie Demetriou.
The Future of Mattel Films
While Barbie is already predicted to be one of the biggest films of next year, it also sets a new precedent for future live-action Mattel adaptations. In 2021, it was announced that Lena Dunham (Girls) would be writing and directing a Polly Pocket film with co-producer Lily Collins starring in the titular role. Much like the rise of Marvel Entertainment, it will be interesting to see how Mattel Films grows, with other nostalgia-based projects in development, including Barney, American Girl, Hot Wheels, and Uno.
