Barbie: Release Date, Trailer, Cast & More

Barbie: Release Date, Trailer, Cast & More

Does Barbie’s Dream House have a movie theater? It better, because how else is she going to be able to watch the blockbuster film adaptation of the world’s most famous doll? Barbie, the iconic doll that first hit toy stores way back in 1959, is getting her very own live-action movie. It’s hardly the first toy to get the film treatment (see: Transformers, LEGOS, G.I. Joe, and more), but the upcoming Barbie movie feels like it could be something special — or at the very least, extremely interesting. Barbie boasts an incredible cast and an acclaimed director, and though we...

Does Barbie’s Dream House have a movie theater? It better, because how else is she going to be able to watch the blockbuster film adaptation of the world’s most famous doll? Barbie, the iconic doll that first hit toy stores way back in 1959, is getting her very own live-action movie. It’s hardly the first toy to get the film treatment (see: Transformers, LEGOS, G.I. Joe, and more), but the upcoming Barbie movie feels like it could be something special — or at the very least, extremely interesting. Barbie boasts an incredible cast and an acclaimed director, and though we haven’t heard too many specifics about the plot, what little we do know seems like it has the potential to be buck wild. Here’s everything we know about Barbie. Who Is Directing Barbie? (Photo by Rick Rowell/Getty Images) Greta Gerwig, the writer Oscar-nominated director of Lady Bird and 2019’s celebrated Little Women remake, signed on to write the Barbie movie in 2019 along with her partner, Marriage Story writer-director Noah Baumbach. In July of last year, however, Variety confirmed that Gerwig would also be directing the film. Barbie is a bit outside the norm for Gerwig and Baumbach. Gerwig, who is also an actress, is best known for her quirky and insightful comedy-dramas. Baumbach tends to make highly mannered and somewhat dry films like The Squid and the Whale . Neither’s filmography necessarily screams “the obvious person to make a movie about a famous toy.” But, that’s perhaps what makes Barbie so intriguing. Who’s In It? (Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures) Margot Robbie, best known for her role in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood and for playing Harley Quinn in three DC superhero movies, signed on to play the title role way back in July 2019. Robbie is also producing the film through her production company LuckyChap Entertainment, with Mattel Films and HeyDay Films co-producing.
For a while, Robbie was the only star confirmed for the movie, but what would Barbie be without Ken? In October 2021, Ryan Gosling was announced as the live-action Ken opposite Robbie. Gosling has previously starred in films like Blade Runner 2049  and Drive , but he’s also done lighter fare like La La Land and Crazy Stupid Love , so it seems rather clear which of his past performances will be the most relevant to his portrayal of Ken.
Robbie and Gosling are not the only big names in the movie, however. In fact, the list of big names in the film is honestly kind of absurd. According to some gossip that New York Times journalist Kyle Buchannan heard at the Cannes Film Festival, there are going to be multiple Barbies and Kens in the film. Insecure star Issa Rae and Hari Nef, the trans actress and model who starred in Transparent , will reportedly both play Barbies, too. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu and Ncuti Gatwa, who was recently announced as the 14th Doctor in the upcoming Doctor Who season, will be alternate Kens. (Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures)
There are a ton of additional actors playing as-yet unknown roles. A-list comedians Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, and Michael Cera will all be in Barbie in some capacity. Emma Mackey, the Death on the Nile star who is frequently said to resemble Margot Robbie, will appear alongside her doppelganger in Barbie. America Ferrara, Ariana Greenblatt, Alexandra Shipp, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Sharon Rooney, Scott Evans, Ana Cruz Kayne, Connor Swindells, Ritu Arya, and Jamie Demetriou also are slated to appear in the movie. Emerald Fennell, writer-director of 2020’s Promising Young Woman , has a role as well. All-new character posters for #Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Michael Cera, and more. pic.twitter.com/vs2sE0RsbM — Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) April 4, 2023 This cast is truly wild, making it extra funny that Barbie is scheduled to open on the same day as anot...