Greta Gerwig is opening up about the hesitation she experienced ahead of taking on the daunting project of co-writing and directing the upcoming Barbie movie which stars Margot Robbie. After the film was first announced in 2019, Lady Bird director Gerwig accepted the task of helming the ambitious project, the first live-action film based on the monumental fashion doll line by Mattel, following several shifts in a creative direction that saw various directors and titular leads attached. Gerwig's responsibilities over the film extended to its pre-production as she, alongside frequent collaborator and partner Noah Baumbach, wrote the script that will reportedly see Barbie leave the artificially perfect world of 'Barbieland' to venture into the real world with Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, at her side.
Greta Gerwig is now opening up about what went through her mind when she considered taking on the project of co-writing and directing Barbie, starring Margot Robbie, revealing she was initially terrified by the prospect. Speaking to Dua Lipa on the podcast At Your Service, Gerwig claims that though she feared the film could derail her impressive and growing career, it was that very feeling that she leaned into when deciding to take on the project. Check out what the esteemed director had to say below:
"It was terrifying. I think that was a big part of it. I think there's something about starting from that place where it's like, 'Well, anything is possible!' It felt like vertigo starting to write it. Like, where do you even begin? What would be the story? That feeling that I had was knowing that it would be really interesting terror. Usually that's where the best stuff is. When you're like, 'I am terrified of that.' Anything where you're like, 'This could be a career-ender,' then you're like, 'Ok, I probably should do it.'"
Why Greta Gerwig Is The Perfect Director For Barbie
With the more mature content and innovative approach expected of the upcoming Barbie film, Gerwig's prior cinematic accomplishments make her the perfect fit to direct. In 2019, Gerwig proved that she is able to maintain the heart of a work's source material while adapting its tone and messaging for modern audiences with her beloved award-winning adaptation of Little Women. Those eagerly anticipating the release of Barbie seem to be hoping for this very balance in a version of the iconic character that honors its historical place in traditional American adolescence, while also retiring the superficiality and archaic view of femininity that it represents.
Gerwig's version of Barbie will reportedly include alternate versions of the central characters, that will include Issa Rae and Hari Nef as Barbie, as well as Simu Liu and Ncuti Gatwa as Ken, hinting at an overarching impulse to prioritize inclusivity in her take on the overwhelmingly homogenous characters. Beyond her seemingly ambitious and inclusive take on directing Barbie, Gerwig's accomplished past as a writer and director, particularly of female-driven narratives, is proof enough that she has what it takes to amend the franchise's legacy. From Frances Ha (2012) to Lady Bird (2017), Gerwig has cemented herself as one of a few famed directors who is able to craft moving and complex portraits of the coming-of-age experiences for female characters, a skill that will certainly lend itself to adding dimension to her latest lead character.
All Signs Point To Barbie Being A Major Hit
While much about Barbie's plot has been kept under wraps, the pervasive discourse surrounding the film's release indicates that it will be a huge commercial success. Earlier this year, behind-the-scenes photos and videos from Barbie's set featuring titular lead Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken were posted online where they quickly went viral as fans turned them into memes and discussed their early excitement for the seemingly eccentric and joyful film. If early reactions and Gerwig's clear dedication to putting a new spin on the beloved character are any reflection, Barbie is sure to make a cultural wave when it is released to theaters on July 21, 2023.
Source: At Your Service