By Bianca Garner

The moment I heard that Greta Gerwig was attached to the first live-action film about “Barbie” I was totally on-board, especially when I heard that the wonderful Margot Robbie was going to be playing Barbie herself. The film is set to be released July 21, 2023 (which seems like a long long way off). So, what details do we know so far about the “Barbie” movie?

Firstly, Gerwig and Noah Baumbach have co-written the script together. The couple have worked together in the past, with their relationship/partnership beginning with “Greenberg” (which Gerwig starred in and Baumbach wrote and directed). They co-wrote Baumbach’s next two films, “Frances Ha” (one of my favourite films ever) and “Mistress America”. According to IMDb, the plot synopsis for “Barbie” is as follows: A doll living in ‘Barbieland’ is expelled for not being perfect enough and sets off on an adventure in the real world. Apparently, the film will be your typical “fish-out-of-water “story which will be reminiscent of films like “Splash” and “Enchanted”.

Before Robbie was cast as Barbie, comedian Amy Schumer was cast in the lead role, but she dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts in March 2017. Then in August “Les Misérables” star Anne Hathaway was confirmed to star instead, but she departed from the project in 2018. Robbie became involved in the project January 8th, 2019, but another actress to be considered for the role was Lady Gaga!

When asked about her involvement in the picture, Robbie told USA Today that, “Over the brand’s almost 60 years, Barbie has empowered kids to imagine themselves in aspirational roles from a princess to president. I’m so honored to take on this role and produce a film that I believe will have a tremendously positive impact on children and audiences worldwide.”

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress revealed that the film is going to give audience ‘the thing you didn’t know you wanted’- which sounds exactly what we here at In Their Own League actually want. Of course anyone would be a little nervous about portraying such an iconic character. And Robbie is very realistic about what is expected of her playing this role. In an interview with the British version of Vogue magazine, she stated that the role, “comes with a lot of baggage! And a lot of nostalgic connections. But with that come a lot of exciting ways to attack it. People generally hear “Barbie” and think, “I know what that movie is going to be,” and then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they’re like, “Oh, well, maybe I don’t…”‘

Finding the right person to play Barbie may have been a difficult job but apparently “Blade Runn 2049” star Ryan Gosling was the only choice for Ken. Other actors to be cast in the film include the likes of Will Ferrell, who is said to be playing the CEO of a toy company that may or not be Mattel, America Ferrera (best known for her roles in “Ugly Betty” and “Superstore), Kate McKinnon (who starred in “Bombshell” alongside Robbie), and apparently “Sex Education” star Emma Mackey will also be starring in the film. Sounds like a great cast if you ask me.

So, that’s what we know so far. I’m sure there will be more details to follow about the film, and we’ll make sure to cover it here on the site.

Are you excited about the “Barbie” film? Let us know in the comments!