Greta Gerwig’s star-studded live action ‘Barbie’ film is cast to perfection

In 1959, Mattel unveiled the now iconic hot pink hero that is Barbie and somehow, the doll has managed to stay within our eyeline ever since. Technically turning 63 this year, the eternal teen has quite the animated film franchise under her belt already — but at long last we’re getting a live action feature.

In the works for quite a while now, the project is officially in production and we’re inching closer and closer to its premiere — which has just been confirmed for 21 July 2023. While all major details and plot points are being hidden away behind the doors of the Malibu dreamhouse, we can rest assured that it won’t disappoint as Greta Gerwig (Ladybird, Little Women) directs and co-writers with Noah Baumbach.

Producing the film under the LuckyChap banner, Margot Robbie is also stepping into those infamous six-inch stilettos playing opposite Ryan Reynolds, who’ll be starring as Ken. Talk about spot on casting, am I right? While all other characters remain unknown, Anchorman’s Will Ferrell will be playing the CEO of the toy company, so we’re expecting a fourth-wall breaking, meta moment or two throughout.

#BARBIE
July 21, 2023
Only in theaters pic.twitter.com/mauCGpizD1

— Warner Bros. Pictures (@wbpictures) April 26, 2022

The most recent announcement that Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa and Connor Swindells will be making the pilgrimage from Moordale High to the dollhouse is making us extremely excited to see our favourite Sex Education stars back together again.

Everyone’s favourite softboy Michael Cera, SNL funny woman Kate McKinnon and Insecure star Issa Rea are also set to make an appearance, as well as breakout talent from And Just Like That and You, Hari Nef.

America Ferrera of Ugly Betty fame, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Simu Lio and Tick, Tick… Boom! star Alexandra Shipp will also be joining the star-studded ranks.

If the rumour mill is anything to go by, the film is set to take on a multiverse madness-esque style, with numerous different iterations of both Barbie and Ken reprising the roles.

For one, I’m hearing that Ryan Gosling is not the only Ken in the BARBIE film. Simu Liu and Ncuti Gatwa also play Kens

— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 18, 2022

Speaking to Variety in 2019, Robbie said that she believes the project to be a “great opportunity to put some positivity out in the world and a chance to be aspirational for younger kids.” Two years later, in 2021, the Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey star told British Vogue that taking on the role of Barbie “comes with a lot of baggage … and a lot of nostalgic connections.”

Robbie has also said, “We like the things that feel a little left of centre … People immediately have an idea of, ‘Oh, Margot is playing Barbie, I know what that is,’ but our goal is to be like, ‘Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different — the thing you didn’t know you wanted’.”

A character that has long been quite the divisive figure, it’s about time the classic Barbie schtick got a modern makeover. While we may not have a trailer, or even a plot description, we’re already eagerly anticipating the movie’s release on 21 July 2023.