Ryan Gosling is reportedly in final talks to portray the iconic doll Ken opposite Margot Robbie in the film version of Barbie. Gosling has long been the top choice for this role, but he initially passed on the project due to scheduling conflicts. But thanks to Barbie‘s protracted pre-production, it appears that Gosling is free to star in it after all, with plans to begin filming later this year.
Robbie not only stars but will produce Barbie, with Greta Gerwig directing from a script co-written by her and Noah Baumbach. So far, Robbie and potentially Gosling are the only known stars.
The Barbie doll (full name: Barbie Millicent Roberts) was brought to market in 1959. Her creation is credited to Ruth Handler who drew inspiration from the German Bild Lilli doll, which was an adult-targeted novelty. With her husband, Elliot Handler, Ruth founded the company Mattel, which is now one of the most successful toy companies in the world, with additional properties like Hot Wheels to its credit.
The Barbie doll is considered the first adult fashion doll made for children, arriving at a time when dolls were typical of the “baby” variety. Ruth Handler was reportedly inspired by paper dolls which were normally adults with interchangeable fashions.
The Ken doll was first introduced in 1961. Both Barbie and Ken were named after Ruth and Elliot’s children of the same names.
In addition to being made into countless different dolls, Barbie and Ken have been featured in various forms of media, perhaps most famously in Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story movies in which they were voiced by Jodi Benson and Michael Keaton, respectively.
Ken Handler passed away in 1994 from a brain tumor. Ruth Handler passed away in 2002. Elliot Handler passed in 2011.
Nowadays, both Barbie and Ken are manufactured in a variety of styles with different races, skin tones, hairstyles, and body types, even as paraplegic or with artificial limbs, but for the majority of their existences, they have been depicted as Caucasian and usually with blond hair. It appears that the film will more closely follow that model.
Ryan Gosling recently wrapped The Gray Man for Netflix. That action-thriller was directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and also stars Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Regé-Jean Page, and Billy Bob Thornton.
Check back for updates on Barbie as they arrive!
