Everything to Know About Margot Robbie’s Live-Action ‘Barbie’ Movie

Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Everything to Know About Margot Robbie’s Live-Action ‘Barbie’ Movie

Come on, Barbie, let's go party! The live-action approach to the story of iconic doll line has been a long time in the making. The Barbie movie was originally set to be rewritten by Diablo Cody with Amy Schumer in the lead role. After the writer departed from the project, Cody opened up about the complications that came with trying to bring the iteration to life. "I never even produced an initial draft. I failed so hard at that project. I was literally incapable of writing a Barbie script. God knows I tried,” the Jennifer's Body screenwriter told Screen Crush in 2018. "To be honest, the timeline coincided with my writing Tully. I was really overwhelmed at the time, and I think I was really only capable of reaching in and pulling out something super personal. Look, I think the idea of a Barbie movie is super f--king cool and I hope something goes in there and kills it." Months after Schumer's casting was announced, the comedian also dropped out, citing scheduling conflicts. The New York native later clarified that there were creative differences that halted her participation. “They definitely didn’t want to do it the way I wanted to do it, the only way I was interested in doing it,” Schumer told The Hollywood Reporter in March 2022, noting that she wanted the character to be an “ambitious inventor" but it was turned down. The Last Comic Standing alum alleged that the plan was for Barbie to invent high heels made of Jell-O. “I felt like I was disappointing my team by not being Barbie,” Schumer admitted at the time. “The idea that that’s just what every woman must want, right there, I should have gone, ‘You’ve got the wrong gal.'” Following Schumer's exit, Margot Robbie took over the role of Barbie. Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach later joined to pen the script and work behind the camera to bring the story to life. Ahead of production, Robbie teased during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2020 that Barbie will be “the thing you didn’t know you wanted.” Scroll down for everything to know about the upcoming live-action Barbie film: [podcast_block]

Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Everything to Know About Margot Robbie’s Live-Action ‘Barbie’ Movie

Come on, Barbie, let's go party! The live-action approach to the story of iconic doll line has been a long time in the making. The Barbie movie was originally set to be rewritten by Diablo Cody with Amy Schumer in the lead role. After the writer departed from the project, Cody opened up about the complications that came with trying to bring the iteration to life. "I never even produced an initial draft. I failed so hard at that project. I was literally incapable of writing a Barbie script. God knows I tried,” the Jennifer's Body screenwriter told Screen Crush in 2018. "To be honest, the timeline coincided with my writing Tully. I was really overwhelmed at the time, and I think I was really only capable of reaching in and pulling out something super personal. Look, I think the idea of a Barbie movie is super f--king cool and I hope something goes in there and kills it." Months after Schumer's casting was announced, the comedian also dropped out, citing scheduling conflicts. The New York native later clarified that there were creative differences that halted her participation. “They definitely didn’t want to do it the way I wanted to do it, the only way I was interested in doing it,” Schumer told The Hollywood Reporter in March 2022, noting that she wanted the character to be an “ambitious inventor" but it was turned down. The Last Comic Standing alum alleged that the plan was for Barbie to invent high heels made of Jell-O. “I felt like I was disappointing my team by not being Barbie,” Schumer admitted at the time. “The idea that that’s just what every woman must want, right there, I should have gone, ‘You’ve got the wrong gal.'” Following Schumer's exit, Margot Robbie took over the role of Barbie. Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach later joined to pen the script and work behind the camera to bring the story to life. Ahead of production, Robbie teased during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2020 that Barbie will be “the thing you didn’t know you wanted.” Scroll down for everything to know about the upcoming live-action Barbie film: [podcast_block]

Credit: Warner Bros.

Who Is In It?

Ryan Gosling will star opposite Robbie as Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken. The cast will also include America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Alexandra Shipp and Will Ferrell.

Sex Education star — and Robbie doppelgänger — Emma Mackey joined the cast. Though her role has not been revealed, many fans began speculating that she would be playing Skipper, the younger sister of Barbie, thanks to her resemblance to the Suicide Squad star.

Dua Lipa, Alexandra Shipp, Ana Cruz Kayne, Nichola Coughlan, Issa Rae, Ritu Arya, Hari Nef, Sharon Rooney, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa and Scott Evans round out the cast.

Credit: Warner Bros.

When Will It Be Released?

Filming for the Barbie project began in 2022 and will be released on July 21, 2023.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Will Barbie’s Dream Houses Make an Appearance?

“You’ll see some dream houses and it will be everything you ever dreamed of,” Robbie teased during a December 2022 appearance on Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, where she spoke with The Fablemans star Michelle Williams.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Who Is Dua Lipa Playing in ‘Barbie’?

The pop star is taking on the role of a mermaid Barbie.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Who Is Helen Mirren Playing in ‘Barbie’?

Mirren will voice the narrator in the film.

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'Barbie' Trailer

“Since the beginning of time, since the first little girl ever existed, there have been dolls,” a voiceover proclaimed in the original Barbie teaser. “But the dolls were always and forever baby dolls until [Barbie].”

Credit: Warner Bros.

Simu Liu Details Requirements

During an interview with The Independent, Liu revealed that he had to be fully waxed to portray a version of a Ken doll. "I have such a newfound admiration for the incredibly brave women who go through this on a monthly basis," the actor said in May 2022, referring to his waxing sessions as "the most painful experiences" of his life.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Michael Cera Talks Costumes

“The costume department in this movie was one of the most unbelievable things I’ve ever seen,” Cera teased to The Hollywood Reporter in February 2023. “[Costume designer] Jacqueline Durran is a genius, and I spent almost every moment I had with her picking her brain about Mike Leigh because she’s been working with him since Topsy-Turvy. I’m the biggest Mike Leigh fan.”

Credit: SplashNews.com

Who Does Will Ferrell Play in Barbie?

"It is, in my humble opinion, the ultimate example of high art and low art," Ferrell told WSJ. Magazine in November 2022. "It's a loving homage to the brand and, at the same time, couldn't be more satirical. Just an amazing comment on male patriarchy and women in society and why Barbie's criticized and yet why every little girl still wants to play with Barbie."

He teased his character’s story line, adding, "I get to play the CEO of Mattel and be that guy who's just insensitive but weird and then, not to spoil anything, but ... Anyway, that's what excites me.”

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How Much Money Did Margot Make for 'Barbie'?

Robbie became the highest paid actress in Hollywood with her $12.5 million Barbie salary, Variety reported in July 2022. Her counterpart, Gosling, earned a whopping $12.5 million payday as well, per the outlet.

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Roller Blading Pros

Robbie and Gosling suited up in matching pink neon outfits for a roller blading scene in June 2022.

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The Outfits

In June 2022, Robbie and Gosling were spotted filming in Los Angeles, wearing their Western finest. Ken's ensemble included a white cowboy hat, pink neckerchief and an embroidered shit with white fringe along the back and arms. Robbie's Barbie, meanwhile, chose a matching vest and pants embroidered with sparkly stars in her signature shade of hot pink. The look was finished off with long, blonde locks and a white cowboy hat.

Credit: Youtube

What Is the Plot of the 'Barbie' Movie?

The film's synopsis was finally revealed in a May 2023 trailer. Amid a happy, bubblegum-pink world where every day is the same, Barbie (Robbie) quickly begins to notice that things are changing around her. ("Flat feet!" another Barbie gasps in shock.) She then gets catapulted into the "real world" — along with Ken (Gosling) — and the duo have to learn how to navigate everything that comes their way, including Ferrell's villainous character. "No one rests until this doll is back in a box!" he declares.

Credit: Shutterstock(3)

Who Is on the 'Barbie' Soundtrack?

Mark Ronson produced the Barbie soundtrack, which was revealed in May 2023 and drops in July. Among the A-listers are Lizzo, Khalid, Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Ava Max, Charli XCX, The Kid LAROI and many more. One surprising name is Gosling's, who is named right in between Pink Pantheress and Tame Impala.