The Barbie movie is fast approaching — but titular star Margot Robbie didn’t know if it would ever come to fruition.
“I was very scared it was going to be a no. At the time this was such a terrifying thing to take on. People were like, You’re going to do what?” Robbie told Vogue in May 2023 of her production company, LuckyChap, approaching Mattel about the project.
Robbie noted that at the time, there wasn’t a set concept in mind. “We of course would want to honor the 60-year legacy that this brand has. But we have to acknowledge that there are a lot of people who aren’t fans of Barbie. And in fact, aren’t just indifferent to Barbie. They actively hate Barbie. And have a real issue with Barbie. We need to find a way to acknowledge that,” she explained.
The actress, who stars in the comedy alongside Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Dua Lipa, Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, Simu Liu and more, eventually accepted the role but shared that she “really didn’t even think about playing Barbie until years into developing” the movie. Eventually, the concept came together when LuckyChap was given the green light — and after Robbie convinced Greta Gerwig to both direct the film and pen the script.
“It felt sparky to me in some way that felt kind of promising,” Gerwig told Vogue in May 2023, adding that she would only agree to the job if her partner, Noah Baumbach, co-wrote it with her. “I was the one who said, Noah and I will do this.”
“There really was this kind of open, free road that we could keep building,” Baumbach added. “It’s like you’re playing with dolls when you’re writing something, and in this case, of course, there was this extra layer in that they were dolls.”
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Keep scrolling for a full breakdown of every Barbie and Ken from Barbie Land:
Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock
Diplomats, Lawyers and Mermaids: Breaking Down Every Barbie and Ken From the ‘Barbie’ Movie
The Barbie movie is fast approaching — but titular star Margot Robbie didn’t know if it would ever come to fruition.
“I was very scared it was going to be a no. At the time this was such a terrifying thing to take on. People were like, You’re going to do what?” Robbie told Vogue in May 2023 of her production company, LuckyChap, approaching Mattel about the project.
Robbie noted that at the time, there wasn’t a set concept in mind. “We of course would want to honor the 60-year legacy that this brand has. But we have to acknowledge that there are a lot of people who aren’t fans of Barbie. And in fact, aren’t just indifferent to Barbie. They actively hate Barbie. And have a real issue with Barbie. We need to find a way to acknowledge that,” she explained.
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The actress, who stars in the comedy alongside Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Dua Lipa, Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, Simu Liu and more, eventually accepted the role but shared that she “really didn’t even think about playing Barbie until years into developing” the movie. Eventually, the concept came together when LuckyChap was given the green light — and after Robbie convinced Greta Gerwig to both direct the film and pen the script.
“It felt sparky to me in some way that felt kind of promising,” Gerwig told Vogue in May 2023, adding that she would only agree to the job if her partner, Noah Baumbach, co-wrote it with her. “I was the one who said, Noah and I will do this.”
“There really was this kind of open, free road that we could keep building,” Baumbach added. “It’s like you’re playing with dolls when you’re writing something, and in this case, of course, there was this extra layer in that they were dolls.”
Keep scrolling for a full breakdown of every Barbie and Ken from Barbie Land:
Credit: Warner Bros.
Margot Robbie is ‘Everything Barbie’
Robbie plays the titular doll who embodies everything that Barbie is. After questioning life beyond Barbie Land, she heads to the real world to explore.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Issa Rae Is ‘President Barbie’
Rae’s Barbie was elected president of Barbie Land. More like a queen to Us.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Nichola Coughlan Is ‘Diplomat Barbie’
With a warm smile and a seemingly deep appreciation for chiffon, Coughlan’s Barbie is the diplomat of the group.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Ritu Arya Is ‘Journalist Barbie’
A Barbie after our own heart, Arya is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Sharon Rooney Is ‘Lawyer Barbie’
Making sure every other Barbie has proper representation, Rooney is lawyer Barbie.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Hari Nef Is ‘Doctor Barbie’
Nef’s Barbie is the resident physician in Barbie Land — and even helps heal Ken from an injury.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Kate McKinnon Is ‘Gymnast Barbie’
Everyone had a version of McKinnon’s Barbie growing up: chopped hair, drawn-on face and legs always in the splits.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Emma Mackey Is ‘Physicist Barbie’
Mackey’s Barbie may be the smartest of all — she’s a scientist!
Credit: Warner Bros.
Dua Lipa Is ‘Mermaid Barbie’
This Barbie rocks blue hair and lives in the ocean with Merman Ken, played by John Cena.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Anna Cruz Kayne Is ‘Supreme Court Justice’ Barbie’
Working in the same field as Rae’s character, Kayne’s Barbie is a Supreme Court Justice.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Alexandra Shipp Is ‘Author Barbie’
Shipp is the celebrated writer of Barbie Land.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Ryan Gosling Is Just Ken
A triple threat of biceps, a six-pack and a killer tan, Gosling’s Ken is in love with Everything Barbie — and ready for an adventure in the real world (with his roller blades, of course).
Credit: Warner Bros.
Kingsley Ben-Adir Is Also Ken
Ben-Adir is just another Ken in Barbie Land.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Ncuti Gatwa Is Another Ken
The British actor looks like an American cowboy, but he’s just Ken.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Simu Liu Is a Rival Ken
Liu is not just any other Ken — he’s Gosling’s Barbie Land rival Ken.
Credit: Warner Bros.
Scott Evans Is Ken, Again
Kens may be clueless, but at least they’re having a great time.
