Warner Bros’ Barbie project is set to enter a ‘multiverse of madness’ with multiple actors set to play both Barbie and Ken.
Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie project continues to sound increasingly bonkers with each new nugget of information that we learn. With Little Women helmer Gerwig leading the project and Noah Baumbach on writing duties, we’re expecting something a little on the subversive side.
Reports are now suggesting that the film will see multiple Barbies and Kens, with The Hate U Give's Issa Rae and Assassination Nation's Hari Nef playing different versions of the enduringly-popular doll, whilst the MCU’s Shang-Chi, Simu Lu and the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa are set to play alternate versions of Ken.
We wouldn’t be too surprised if regular Gerwig collaborator, Saoirse Ronan pops up as an additional Barbie too, although that is seemingly yet to be confirmed.
Alongside Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the new additions round out a huge cast that also includes Kate McKinnon, America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackey, Michael Cera, Will Ferrell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Emerald Fennell, Sharon Rooney, Scott Evans, Ana Cruz Kayne, Connor Swindells, Ritu Arya, and Jamie Demetriou.
Robbie, who is also producing the project under her LuckyChap Entertainment banner has spoken in the past about how the movie won’t be what audiences expect and whichever way you look at this project, it has the potential to be something special.
Of course, the real question here is how far toymaker Mattel, who owns the rights to the Barbie intellectual property, will allow the filmmakers to go with the project. Robbie has been adamant that the film will challenge stereotypes and this most recent casting announcement seems to go some way towards supporting that idea.
The iconic Mattel toy upon which the film is based has often been accused of the opposite. As she argues, “can we truly honour the IP and the fan base and also surprise people? Because if we can do all that and provoke a thoughtful conversation, then we’re really firing on all cylinders.”
The film is set to open on July 21st, 2023, meaning it will be going up against Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Now there’s a double bill to look forward to. We’ll bring you more on this one as we hear it.
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