Barbie burst onto the scene in 1959, when Ruth Handler decided to make her daughter Barbara a teenage doll she could dress in fashionable clothes and high heels, with matching accessories.
Handler’s creation, which she named Barbie, has gone on to become one of the biggest success stories in toy history. Next, Handler set her sights on creating a boyfriend for Barbie, naming him after her son, Kenneth, and releasing the doll in 1961.
It is estimated that Mattel, the company Handler started with her husband, has sold over a billion of the dolls worldwide. Retailing in over 150 countries, Mattel claims that 100 Barbie dolls are sold every second. And over the years, they've released a number of inspirational Barbie dolls.
The iconic character has starred in 43 movies, but always in animated form. Now, that’s all set to change.
A Life-Action Movie Has Been In The Offing For More Than A Decade
There have been plans to make a Barbie movie since 2009. Initially, Mattel had signed a partnership to develop the movie with Universal Pictures. That plan didn’t go ahead.
Instead, in 2014, Sony Pictures was appointed to make the movie, casting Amy Schumer as the lead. When she dropped out, Anne Hathaway was punted for the titular role.
Unfortunately for Barbie fans, there were further delays. As a result, Sony's option on the film eventually expired, and the rights were transferred to Warner Bros. Last year, the company revealed that production was due to start on the film, which is expected to put a 'contemporary spin' on the famous doll.
The good news is that at last, filming has begun, and social media has been abuzz after production photos were released in June 2022.
Plus, the release date has been set. Barbie will hit cinemas on July 21, 2023.
Who Is Directing The Barbie Film?
Exciting news is that it’s been confirmed that the director of Lady Bird and Little Women is directing the Barbie project. In 2018, Greta Gerwig’s nomination for Best Director at the 90th Academy Awards for her work on Lady Bird made her the first woman in eight years to have been nominated in the category. She's also one of only five women in Oscar history to be nominated.
Gerwig, who has numerous nominations for her scriptwriting on Lady Bird and Frances Ha, is also providing the screenplay for Barbie, along with partner Noah Baumbach.
Of course, the casting of the iconic toys is probably the most exciting aspect of the whole production. So who is playing Barbie?
Since 2019, fans have known that Oscar-nominated actress Margot Robbie would headline the untitled film. It’s a journey she’s excited to undertake.
In a press release in 2019, Margot said, "Playing with Barbie promotes confidence, curiosity and communication throughout a child's journey to self-discovery. Over the brand's almost 60 years, Barbie has empowered kids to imagine themselves in aspirational roles from a princess to president."
She went on, "I'm so honored to take on this role and produce a film that I believe will have a tremendously positive impact on children and audiences worldwide. I can't imagine better partners than Warner Bros and Mattel to bring this film to the big screen."
Ken Has Also Been Cast
In October 2021 Deadline reported that Gosling was in final negotiations for the role of Ken, Barbie's romantic interest. While it's believed Gosling initially rejected the role due to other work commitments, the delay in production has made it possible for him to take on the role.
Although his casting has attracted some negative publicity, with comments that Gosling is too old to play the character of Ken, in June 2022 Warner Bros. Pictures released a first-look image of Gosling in the role.
When Twitter users saw him with his bleached blonde hair, denim vest, and a spray tan, they changed their minds.
There Will Be More Than One Barbie And Ken
Robbie and Gosling won't be the only lead stars in the Barbie film, as it's rumored that there will be different versions of the iconic doll figures.
It seems one Barbie will be portrayed by Hari Nef and the other might be Issa Rae. There's speculation that Marvel star Simu Liu and new Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa are set to play Ken at different stages.
In May 2022, rumors that Dua Lipa would also be joining the cast of the Barbie movie surfaced. Another name that’s come up is Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan.
Other roles will be filled by Kate McKinnon, Emma Mackey and Alexandra Shipp. America Ferrera, Rhea Perlman, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, and Will Ferrell will also co-star in the film.
In June 2022, social media was on fire when Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling were pictured in LA on the set of the film.
It’s finally all systems go, and Barbie fans can’t wait to see the final product.
