Grab your pink outfits and accessories and a pink Jeep if you got it; the highly anticipated Barbie movie is out now!
The plot follows Barbie and Ken as they leave their perfect Barbie Land and face the harsh realities of the real world among humans. With a starting set budget of $145 million, the movie is expected to bring in approximately $93 million from box offices. A significant factor in the film’s early success has been its celebrity involvement and widespread marketing.
Below is everything you need to know about the Barbie movie.
The cast of Barbie is diverse
Australian actress Margot Robbie has completely transformed into the main role as Barbie. Since being cast in the film in 2019, Robbie and the team have worked tirelessly to emulate all that a true Barbie stands for, with representation being at the forefront of values.
“I don’t think you should say this is the one version of what Barbie is, and that’s what a woman should aspire to be and look like and act like,” Robbie said in a recent Time Magazine interview.
Amy Schumer was originally tapped to play the doll when the movie was first announced in 2016 but she later backed out of the film due to creative differences.
Ryan Gosling plays Barbie’s plastic partner, Ken. The film also features a diverse cast playing Mattel Barbies with a range of sizes, ethnicities, and styles. Issa Rae plays Black Barbie and has expressed how much it means for her to be in the film.
Simu Lui, a Chinese-Canadian actor playing Ken, took to social media to share his excitement for fans seeing the upcoming movie. Lui, Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Scott Evans, and Ncuti Gatwa are playing different versions of Ken.
“This film exceeds expectations and will surprise every single person in the audience,” Lui said in an Instagram post. “You think you’re watching a movie about dolls, but you’re watching a movie about what it means to be human.” Lui went on to state how making this movie was one of his life’s most joyous and freeing experiences.
“Greta Gerwig asked me to be a part of her next bound- to- be incredible project, I was just honored to be in the conversation,” the Insecure star said at the Los Angeles red carpet premiere. “It’s like a shot of dopamine. It’s euphoric and nostalgic, making the world of Barbie.”
Along with Rae, Hari Nef, Emma Mackey, Dua Lipa, Anna Cruz Kayne, Sharon Rooney, Kate McKinnon, Nicola Coughlan, Alexandra Shipp and Ritu Arya are playing different versions of Barbie as well.
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There’s a Barbie music video too
Who better to do a Barbie song than the pink Barbie herself- Nicki Minaj. For years, the rapper has branded herself as Barbie, putting out songs titled Barbie Dreams and Barbie Tingz. When the opportunity was presented for Minaj to create a song on the movie soundtrack, she could not pass it up. The new song also features Ice Spice, who has taken the rap game by storm this year.
“I am so excited to be here and be part of this entire moment,” Minaj said in a recent Entertainment Tonight interview. “I have been saying Barbie my whole career so it is a very full-circle moment for me.
Watch the video below:
Epic Barbie collabs
Mattel has collaborated with over 100 brand partnerships in light of the film. Partnerships range from clothing, health, and beauty to food, home, and decor. Forever21 and Barefoot Dreams are just a few companies that have teamed up with Barbie for outstanding sales.
Shay Mitchell, actor, and founder of Beis, recently revealed a line of pink luggage for traveling Barbie fans. A miniature set is available as well for your dolls to play with.
“8 year old me is screaming,” Mitchell said on Instagram. “Barbie needed new luggage, and knew just the person for the job. Bring our Barbie The Movie x BEIS Collection back to your DreamHouse July 19th.”
And in Malibu, there’s an real-life Barbie dreamhouse to AirBnb! Designed by Black interior designer, Victoria Adesanmi, the home is Ken-inspired and includes his “yellow-and-pink Impala skates and surfboards”
And it’s all pink of course! The home was open to booking from July 17-July 21 for two guests. Needless to say, whoever had the opportunity to book a night was super lucky!
Will there be a Barbie 2?
Short answer: no, but never say never! Marvel has spinoffs and sequels for the next seven plus years and the Fast and the Furious saga has been everywhere but underwater.
The material is there but Robbie shared with Time to not get too ahead of ourselves. “It could go a million different directions from this point,” Robbie said about a future sequel. “But I think you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels.”
In other words, let’s build one dream house at a time.
Barbie is in theaters now.
