No stranger to acting against dolls, Ryan Gosling has signed on to play Ken to Margot Robbie’s “Barbie.” Yes. You read all of that correctly. Want to add even more weirdness to it? Greta Gerwig is set to direct.
And yes, this is Barbie of Mattel’s Barbie. One Barbara Millicent Roberts. Slightly off putting fun fact: Barbie and Ken are named for Barbie doll creator Ruth Handler’s kids. In case you were wondering Ken’s full name is Kenneth Sean Carson.
According to a report, the film has yet to be greenlit, but with the power doll duo of Robbie and Gosling we can’t imagine a “yes” is far away. The script is also co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach.
Come on Barbie, Let’s Go…
We have NO clue what the plot could be. Barbie has held over 200 occupations, ranging from Paratrooper, Pet Stylist, Chicken Farmer, Bee Keeper, and Astronaut. This gives us endless plotlines she could pursue. Our pitch is for she’s a Soda Fountain Waitress with a skill for Rhythmic Gymnastics and gets elected to be Chancellor of Germany. Yes, those are all ALSO occupations Barbie has held. She really is a multi-talented person.
Ken has had a slightly less illustrious career. For example In 2009 he took on the role of Sugar’s Daddy Ken…. (which was explained as he was the owner of a puppy named Sugar…..). He did have a brief moment as a fashion influencer in 1993 with the release of Earring Magic Ken.
In addition to a mystery surrounding the plot, we also have to wonder if they’re going to at all acknowledge the unnatural proportions of the dolls.
Given the talent attached we really don’t care which of Barbie or Ken’s various backstories are involved. We just want to see however they try to make sense of bringing Ryan Gosling to life as Ken.