Ryan Gosling is said to be in final negotiations to play a live-action Ken doll, opposite Margot Robbie’s Barbie, in Greta Gerwig’s currently untitled Barbie movie.
The two-time Oscar nominee is said to have originally passed on the role due to scheduling restraints, but accepted following persistence from the studio. The iconic character has been previously voiced by another Oscar-recognised actor, as Michael Keaton played Ken in Toy Story 3.
While little is known about the film’s plot at this point, the screenplay is to be written by Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach. Both are known as Indie gems, with Gerwig’s catalogue including the critically-acclaimed Lady Bird and 2019’s Little Women, while Baumbach’s most recent outing is the Oscar-winning Marriage Story. From the pair’s combined filmography, it is expected that the film won’t be a straightforward story regarding the infamous doll.
Robbie also serves as producer under the banner of LuckyChap Entertainment, the company she founded with Josey McNamara, Sophia Kerr and husband Tom Ackerley in 2014. This latest project follows Luckychap’s success with films such as I, Tonya, Birds of Prey and Promising Young Woman, and continues the company’s brief to create opportunities for female-led stories.
There have been many Barbie movies over the years, but this will mark the first time that a live-action film will be made about the character. Production is expected to start early next year, with shooting to take place at Leavesden Studios here in the UK. The studio aims for a 2023 release date.
While waiting for more news on this film, fans of Gosling can expect The Gray Man, which has just wrapped production. The Netflix produced action thriller is directed by Avengers Endgame‘s Joe and Anthony Russo, and co-stars Chris Evans.
Words by Rehana Nurmahi
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