How the Barbie Movie Was Made

How the Barbie Movie Was Made

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re discussing How the Barbie Movie Was Made.

For this video, we’ll be looking at all of the amazing elements that went into creating this landmark cinematic achievement. Attention all Barbies, Kens, and Allens, this video is NOT spoiler free!

What was your favorite part of the movie? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Crafting a Complex Story

For years, there’s been talk of a live-action Barbie film. But despite the efforts of many creatives who’ve tried to tackle the project since 2009, nothing solid ever came to fruition. That is, until actress-producer Margot Robbie and her production studio LuckyChap Entertainment came along in 2018. Roughly a year later, she brought on “Lady Bird” writer-director Greta Gerwig. Gerwig and her partner in life, love, and art, Noah Baumbach, attended a Barbie boot camp of sorts hosted by Mattel where they learned about the doll’s storied history and her late creator Ruth Handler. The former Mattel CEO’s motivation for creating Barbie stemmed from her daughter Barbara’s limited toy options.

Inspired by this mother-daughter relationship, Gerwig sat down with Baumbach to pen the script in March of 2020. Both filmmakers are known for their character-driven stories with an indie essence. They’re not exactly the type of artists you’d think of for a big summer blockbuster like “Barbie,” but that’s what makes their involvement so exciting. Mattel and Warner Bros. also generously afforded them creative freedom. Gerwig later decided to direct as well, ensuring that her specific vision was realized.

As many of the cast and creators told us, “Barbie” was not what audiences thought it would be. The iconic doll in character form suddenly experiences imperfections for the first time and goes through an existential crisis that takes her out of her pink paradise of Barbieland and into the dreaded real world. The film manages to balance comedy, adventure, and a touch of drama, drawing endless laughs and a few tears from its audience. It covers a range of important topics and themes such as gender politics, motherhood, and self-discovery. We may not have predicted this kind of journey for Barbie but we sure appreciate Gerwig and Baumbach’s insightful and fun storytelling.

Becoming Stereotypical Barbie & Beach Ken

Aussie native Margot Robbie admitted she wasn’t much of a Barbie girl in childhood. And, while she was passionate about making the “Barbie” movie happen, she didn’t plan to step into the role herself. Gal Gadot was her ideal choice since Robbie thinks the “Wonder Woman” actress radiates natural Barbie energy. Gadot was unavailable at the time but later expressed interest in being in a possible sequel. In the end, Robbie agreed to play Barbie, later called “Stereotypical Barbie.”

Robbie, known for playing iconic women like the fictional Harley Quinn and real person Sharon Tate, was all in on becoming Barbie. The role required an in-depth study of Barbie and her many controversies as well as some work with a dialect coach to mask her accent. But she credits Greta Gerwig with helping her get into the unusual mindset of a doll.

Robbie and Gerwig knew Ryan Gosling was the perfect Ken, literally envisioning the actor in the part. While it took a bit of convincing (and some Kenergy conjuring), he eventually agreed. At least a year before the 2023 press tour, Gosling was already sprinkling Kenisms into the world. The actor’s Ken-thusiam, if you will, has yet to fade, and fans are eating it up.

Casting the Barbies, Kens, Allans, & Humans

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling aren’t the only plastic couple in Barbieland. Multiple Barbies and Kens reside in the sunny utopia. And though they all share an endlessly optimistic outlook, they’re each their own person…well, doll. Robbie maintained she didn’t want the movie to feature only one Barbie because it would imply, as she’s said, “This is the one version of what Barbie is, and that’s what women should aspire to be and look like and act like.” Instead, a focus on diversity and representation was made a priority.

Incidentally, Mattel’s Barbie brand didn’t really celebrate diversity until they released the first Black Barbie in 1980, followed by dolls from other parts of the world. Greta Gerwig, however, welcomed everyone into Barbieland, assembling an ensemble cast of all shapes, sizes, and identities to play the doll inhabitants. Additional Barbies include Issa Rae as President Barbie, Alexandra Shipp as Writer Barbie, Hari Nef as Doctor Barbie, and “SNL” alum Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie. Additionally, Margot Robbie lookalike Emma Mackey plays Physicist Barbie while her “Sex Education” co-star, Ncuti Gatwa, is one of the Kens, alongside Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Scott Evans.

Two unlikely characters in “Barbie” are discontinued dolls from the past. Actress-filmmaker Emerald Fennell plays the pregnant Midge, Barbie’s freckled gal pal introduced in 1963. At one point in Barbie lore, Midge was coupled up with Ken’s best buddy Allan, who Michael Cera brings to life wonderfully on screen. Neither doll saw much success in their respective runs, so they’re the odd ones out in Barbieland.

As for the human beings living in the real world, America Ferrara and Ariana Greenblatt as Gloria and Sasha respectively, bring some fantastic authenticity to the party - and the sleepovers. We, of course, can’t forget about Will Ferrel as Mattel’s quirky CEO and the rest of the hilariously uncoordinated Mattel employees.

Barbie in Technicolor

For the look of “Barbie,” Greta Gerwig referred back to some of her favorite classic films, particularly old soundstage musicals, with “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Singin in the Rain” being the most well-recognized. Film buffs, however, will also be able to spot homages to Jacques Demy’s “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” and “The Red Shoes” by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

Gerwig worked with production designer Sarah Greenwood to actually build Barbieland on a soundstage. While some filmmakers seek out realistic sets coupled with greenscreen, “Barbie” called for something the production team referred to as “authentic artificiality.” Inspired by stylish mid-century modern homes, Greenwood and set designer Katie Spencer constructed life-size Dreamhouses, forgoing traditional walls because no one walks their Barbie dolls down the stairs. They included small details that would be authentic to the doll world, like letters scribbled in gibberish and the absence of any real-life elements, such as water. Later, they would have fun turning the beautiful home into Ken’s Mojo Dojo Casa House during the Kendom makeover.

Did we mention that production used such an unnatural amount of pink paint that it created a shortage? Cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, known for his fantastic work on everything from “The Wolf of Wall Street” to Taylor Swift music videos, expertly shot the colorful, largely pink film. Gerwig and co. employed old school filming techniques, avoiding CGI in favor of practical, in-camera effects and hand-painted backdrops. The surreal transportation sequences are particularly incredible. In this whimsical, childlike atmosphere, we can only hope the crew had as magical a time putting everything together as we did watching it all come together!

Disco Dancin’ & Designer Duds

Greta Gerwig turned to producers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt for the movie’s score as well as original songs for musical numbers. They were also tasked with putting together a soundtrack full of bangers, featuring artists like Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Sam Smith, and Nicki Minaj. Ronson and Wyatt co-wrote Ken’s epic power ballad “I’m Just Ken” - and you’ll all be pleased to know that’s Ryan Gosling’s actual voice. They also managed to enlist the legendary Slash from Guns N’ Roses to play on the track along with fellow musicians Wolfgang Van Halen and Foo Fighters’ Josh Freese.

British songstress Dua Lipa, who also has a part as Mermaid Barbie, performed the disco-infused single “Dance the Night,” which is featured during Barbie’s giant blowout party choreographed dance scene. Of course, the Barbies and Kens, even Allan and Midge, are decked out in glamorous gold and white outfits, which is just one example of many award-worthy costumes designed by Jacqueline Durran.

Like the film sets and killer tunes, the wardrobes in “Barbie” were heavily inspired by vintage looks with a modern twist. Some outfits, as you might have picked up, were also taken from fashion found in the Mattel archives.

Durran had a daunting job but rose to the occasion and outfitted each Barbie and Ken in perfectly designed ensembles, ranging from retro beachwear, matching pink boiler suits, and chic Chanel dresses. Oh, and we can’t forget about Gosling’s shirtless Ken proudly rocking a floor length faux mink lined with horse-patterned silk.