While it might be about a children’s toy, Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie will have some deeper themes. In an interview with Vogue, Margot Robbie looked at how playing Barbie, she thought about her being “sexualized” but “should never be sexy.” The iconic, 60+-year-old brand will have its big-picture treatment that will go into this idea of beauty and sexiness.
The brand of the doll has always had discussions about what it means for sexiness, feminity, beauty, and gender roles. For Margot Robbie to play Barbie properly and have a voice in the film’s direction as a producer, she had to break down these concepts for herself. It started by looking at the character as a “plastic doll” with no “reproductive organs,” therefore, she had a “no” for her question if the character had a “sexual desire.” From there, she got a clear idea of how to tackle the doll that had come to life as a summer blockbuster.
“She is sexualized. But she should never be sexy. People can project sex onto her. Yes, she can wear a short skirt, but because it’s fun and pink. Not because she wanted you to see her butt.”
Margot Robbie Discusses Barbie Being “Sexualized” and Not “Sexy”
The idea of the film had a mystery surrounding it as people wondered how it would be tonally and story-wise. Gerwig made a name for herself with her Oscar-nominated films Little Women and Lady Bird. Co-writing with her husband, Noah Baumbach, they delivered a vibrant, very pink film. While we are still uncertain about what to expect from its plot, people have been buzzing over it, especially as it releases on the same day as Christopher Nolan’s next movie, Oppenheimer.
The summer film will certainly bring the heat with its cast. Margot Robbie will play Barbie, along with Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls), Emma Mackey (Death on the Nile), Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy), Alexandra Shipp (Tick, Tick… BOOM), Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters), and Hari Nef (Meet Cute). The Kens will consist of Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), and John Cena. Other cast members include Helen Mirren, Will Ferrell, Michael Cera, and more.
The film will release on July 21. Keep it locked to The Nerd Stash for more content on the Barbie over the coming weeks.