Top 10 Barbie Movie Scenes That Didn't Make the Final Cut
#10: Barbie Pretends to Drown
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During the film’s third act, Gloria, Sasha, and the Barbies join forces to take control of Barbieland back from the Kens. While un-brainwashing the Barbies, they distract the Kens by appealing to their macho mindsets. Between Ken discussing the significance of vinyl records and removing a pair of glasses, the heist almost had another moment involving Judge Barbie, played by Ana Cruz Kayne. The scene apparently would’ve centered on Judge Barbie pretending to drown so that a Ken can “save” her. Based on a behind-the-scenes photo that @mjcooke shared on social media, it looks like this moment was close to making the final cut. We guess the filmmakers probably thought the heist sequence needed to be trimmed, but we’ll let you be the judge.
#9: Shelved Kens
Ryan Gosling is Just Ken… and he’s not the only one. From Simu Liu’s Tourist Ken to John Cena’s Kenmaid, this cast is more than “Kenough,” but a few other big names almost joined the Beach Off. Dan Levy, Ben Platt, and Bowen Yang were all approached about playing Kens. Due to COVID, though, they couldn’t commit to the three-month shoot in London. While Michael Cera ended up being the embodiment of Allan, the filmmakers originally approached Jonathan Groff, who replied, “I can’t believe I’m typing this, but I can’t do Allan.” Margot Robbie also made an effort to get Gal Gadot into the film as a Barbie. Gadot was unable to participate due to scheduling, but she’s expressed interest in “the next one.”
#8: Weird Barbie & Ken
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In an early version of the script, Weird Barbie tells Stereotypical Barbie that she’s unable to provide assistance due to “the giddy-up in [her] hip.” Although this line got scrapped, it’s what initially drew Kate McKinnon to the role. The filmmakers cut another scene involving Weird Barbie and Ken, although based on a behind-the-scenes photo, it seemed to have Gerwig laughing pretty hard. Floating... well, sitting in the pool, Ken enjoys an ice cream cone while basking in Weird Barbie’s lap. Maybe this was part of the heist or perhaps a deeper relationship between these two was left on the cutting room floor. We like to think that Weird Barbie was telling Ken about the time she had a close encounter.
#7: Barbieland Creation
The film opens with a homage to “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Instead of the monolith, Barbie appears wearing her zebra-striped bathing suit from 1959. We then cut to the movie’s title, but Gerwig almost delved even deeper into Barbieland’s genesis. Going off the storyboard that @mjcooke posted, there was a deleted scene entitled “Barbie Land Creation.” Barbie, still wearing the zebra swimsuit, is seen holding hands with Ken on an otherwise unpopulated beach. This goes to show that first there was Barbie, then there was Ken, and then there was everyone else. The filmmakers likely felt this moment wasn’t necessary since we subsequently get another beach scene that fleshes out the supporting cast. It would’ve provided the missing link in Barbie’s evolution, however.
#6: Emma Mackey In-Joke
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If you’ve seen Emma Mackey in “Sex Education,” you likely thought to yourself, Maeve is a dead ringer for Margot. Apparently, people also tell Robbie that she looks like the “Sex Education” girl. When Mackey was cast as Physicist Barbie, we suspected that the film might reference their resemblance. According to Robbie, the film was indeed going to poke fun at this. Once they got dressed up, however, Robbie and Mackey found that they didn’t look that much alike, especially with the latter going brunette for the role. So, it didn’t make sense to include the joke. Robbie and Mackey really need to play sisters somewhere down the line, though. And while we’re at it, let’s get Samara Weaving in there as the third sister.
#5: A Little “Ladybird” Reunion
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Greta Gerwig made her solo directorial debut with 2017’s “Lady Bird” starring Saoirse Ronan, with Timothée Chalamet in a supporting role. This trio reunited for Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of “Little Women.” It’s only natural that Gerwig would want to bring Ronan and Chalamet back for “Barbie,” even in a limited capacity. Gerwig had special cameos in mind for both actors. Alas, the stars sadly didn’t align. Ronan thought she’d be able to participate since she lives in London, but her commitments to the biopic “The Outrun” took precedence. Chalamet ran into scheduling issues as well. Yet, Chalamet found time to visit the “Barbie” set where he said, “I should have been in this.” Gerwig agreed, although she still loves Chalamet and Ronan with mom energy.
#4: Helen Mirren Said What to Marie Curie?
Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach weren’t afraid to go for that PG-13 rating. They established this in an early version of the script that dropped an f-bomb on page one. Addressing Marie Curie, Helen Mirren tells the two-time Nobel Prize winner to “pipe the f*** down.” PG-13 movies will typically permit at least one use of the f-word to slip by. So, the filmmakers figured that they might as well get it out of the way at the beginning. Mirren even recorded the line in her proper British accent. Gerwig would call this her “favorite” line, but it didn’t survive the editing process. Issa Rae’s President Barbie would work in an expletive before the credits rolled, although this was hilariously bleeped.
#3: Barbie & Ken Lock Lips
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Even if Barbie allowed Ken to spend the night, neither knows what they would do. The actors weren’t sure either. There were discussions of having Barbie and Ken kiss at one point. This idea got tossed out because the filmmakers couldn’t figure out the logistics of the smooch. We mean, the two are dolls, so would they just press their faces up against each other? Unable to decide how the duo should kiss, the scene never materialized. This arguably better suits the narrative, as Barbie finds that Ken isn’t her happy ending. Gosling was personally glad that the kiss got cut, but Robbie couldn’t help but be a little disappointed. It’s not often you’re in a position to kiss Ryan Gosling… unless you’re Eva Mendes.
#2: Fart Opera
From “I’m Just Ken” to “What Was I Made For?,” “Barbie” turned in a truly banger soundtrack. Unfortunately, one musical moment was silenced. With her past three films, Gerwig and editor Nick Houy have strived to work in a fart joke. They came close to fulfilling this dream with “Barbie,” planning a fart opera for the midsection. As funny as Gerwig thought the scene was, others didn’t seem to agree. The fart opera remained in the film until they go about two-thirds through editing. Houy felt the fart opera “was in the wrong place,” adding, “We need to work it into a more significant narrative moment next time.” That said, Gerwig and Houy are committed to making a fart joke happen. A “Narnia” movie maybe? Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Mattel Bldg for Rent With the Execs Searching for Barbie, the Company’s Headquarters is Open to Renters Barbies Can Save Us Unfortunately, The Editor Couldn’t Save This Third Act Moment Barbie Monument Apparently, There Was Almost Another Monument to Go With Barbie Mount Rushmore Aaron Thru Security The Cubicle Worker Almost Had An Additional Scene at Mattel Ken Toys Returned One of a Few Moments That Got Cut From the Climax
#1: Midge in Labor
“Barbie” leaves us with a mic drop of a final line, but we wouldn’t have said no to a post-credits scene. The filmmakers seemingly had an extra moment in mind that would’ve involved Midge, played by Emerald Fennell. After being pregnant for what we’re assuming is more than nine months, Midge finally goes into labor. It’s unclear if the scene was going to reveal her baby, but it would’ve marked an onscreen appearance from Helen Mirren. Tom Clark, who plays a dancer in the film, also confirmed on Instagram that Mirren did indeed shoot a scene with Midge at the care clinic. We don’t know why the filmmakers deprived audiences of this, although we suppose it’s on-brand for Midge to get left out.
