Inside the Barbie Movie: The Search for the Perfect Barbie and Margot Robbie’s Surprising First Choice
Discover the casting journey behind Barbie, from Margot Robbie’s vision to Gal Gadot’s response, and the evolution of an iconic film.
The Barbie Movie’s Secret Casting Journey Revealed
The highly anticipated live-action Barbie movie redefined expectations for what a film centered on a classic doll could be. Yet, few know that the journey to cast the iconic title role was as dramatic and surprising as the plot itself. Most fans now instantly associate Margot Robbie with the pink-clad powerhouse, but initially, the vision for Barbie included other big Hollywood stars—and none more notable than Gal Gadot. Let’s explore the fascinating timeline, key creative decisions, and the heartfelt responses that shaped one of the most talked-about films of the decade.
The Vision: What Does ‘Barbie Energy’ Mean?
Prior to cameras rolling or sets being built, those driving Barbie’s journey—from Mattel to Hollywood producers—debated a crucial question: What does it truly mean to possess ‘Barbie energy’? When Margot Robbie, both producer and later lead actress, reflected on early casting discussions, she described looking for a combination of impossibly beautiful, sincerely kind, and enthusiastically optimistic—a persona that invited admiration rather than envy.
- Impossibly Beautiful: Barbie must look the part to resonate with decades of cultural imagery.
- Sincere and Enthusiastically Kind: It isn’t enough to dazzle; the character must be approachable and genuine.
- Almost Dorky: The right actress would balance dazzling looks with a warmth and slight awkwardness—”right before being a dork,” as Robbie phrased it.
This unique mix defined the earliest conversations about casting, significantly shaping the movie’s eventual tone and appeal.
Gal Gadot: The Original Barbie
When production companies and creative leads brainstormed the perfect Barbie, Gal Gadot, celebrated for her turn as Wonder Woman, was the first name on their list. Both Robbie and director Greta Gerwig saw Gadot as embodying something special. In a wide-ranging Vogue interview, Robbie summed it up: “Gal Gadot is Barbie energy, because Gal Gadot is so impossibly beautiful, but you don’t hate her for being that beautiful because she’s so genuinely sincere, and she’s so enthusiastically kind that it’s almost dorky. It’s like right before being a dork”.
To both producer and director, Gadot offered the ideal blend of glamour and heart. However, studio deals and filming schedules would soon reshape these plans.
Why Gal Gadot Didn’t Become Barbie
- Scheduling Conflicts: When approached, Gadot was already committed to filming other projects, notably the Netflix action film Heart of Stone, making her unavailable for Barbie’s demanding production timeline.
- Professional Respect: Gadot expressed her admiration for both Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig when she heard about being their first choice. She told reporters, “I adore Margot. She brings so much to the table. I would love to do anything with Margot. I was very touched by her comments; she warmed my heart with everything she said about me”.
- No Bitterness: Gadot later attended the Barbie premiere and publicly praised the completed film, writing on social media: “Bravo Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig! You created such a delicious, colorful, fun movie that carries such an important message. I had so much fun watching the Barbie movie—congrats!”
Gadot’s gracious response to being considered for the role exemplified the very qualities Robbie described as ‘Barbie energy’—affirming the casting vision even though it didn’t come to fruition.
Margot Robbie Steps Forward: From Producer to Star
Initially, Margot Robbie joined the Barbie project as a producer through her company, LuckyChap Entertainment. At first, she did not expect to play the titular role; her main goal was to assemble the perfect team—director Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach—and shepherd the film through development’s twists and turns.
When Gal Gadot’s schedule kept her out of the running, the search intensified. As the vision of Barbie became more clearly defined—with a balance of idealized beauty and approachable authenticity—colleagues urged Robbie to reconsider. She finally agreed, not out of vanity but from a sense of creative obligation and shared vision for the character.
Barbie’s Changing Face: Other Actresses Considered
The role of Barbie didn’t always have Robbie or Gadot at the forefront. Over the years, several A-listers circled the project:
- Amy Schumer: Attached to star in 2016 when the film was first announced. Schumer eventually exited, citing creative differences, not the high-profile body-shaming that accompanied her casting. She explained, “They definitely didn’t want to do it the way I wanted to do it, the only way I was interested in doing it.”
- Anne Hathaway: Considered to lead after Schumer’s departure, though her involvement never moved into production.
With each potential lead, the tone and message of Barbie changed, reflecting shifts in Hollywood and evolving concepts of femininity and empowerment.
Greta Gerwig’s Vision for Barbie
A major catalyst for the project’s eventual greenlight was Greta Gerwig’s agreement to write and direct. Known for her subtle, sharp writing and nuanced portrayals of women, Gerwig aimed to transcend simple stereotypes and infuse Barbie’s story with heart, relatability, and humor. Robbie was instrumental in convincing Gerwig and Noah Baumbach to come aboard, setting the tone for what would become a cultural phenomenon.
‘Barbie Energy’ in Action: On-Set Stories
Margot Robbie didn’t just play Barbie; she set the playful, supportive tone on set. Co-star Ryan Gosling, who played Ken, shared a memorable anecdote:
- Robbie left daily gifts for Gosling—a pink present with a pink bow, always beach-related, from Barbie to Ken. These included puka shell necklaces and beach-themed signs, reinforcing Ken’s perpetual focus on all things beach. Gosling reflected, “I felt like she was trying to help Ken understand through these gifts that she was giving”.
This gesture highlighted the camaraderie, humor, and immersive creativity that Gerwig and Robbie championed throughout the shoot.
Barbie’s Big Screen Arrival: From Development to Release
Barbie’s live-action journey was anything but straightforward. After cycling through multiple scripts, potential leads, and creative visions, it took over seven years for the project to reach fruition. The final ensemble featured a star-studded cast:
- Margot Robbie as Barbie
- Ryan Gosling as Ken
- Issa Rae
- Will Ferrell
- Anne Hathaway
- Michael Cera
- Kate McKinnon
- America Ferrera
- Many other acclaimed actors
The film premiered to massive anticipation, with critics and audiences praising its blend of playful satire, emotional depth, and visual spectacle. Its trailer revealed that it was “not all pink hairspray and convertibles,” but a story informed by existential questioning and self-discovery—a tone set from the earliest, most thoughtful casting discussions.
Box Office Triumph and Critical Reception
The results spoke for themselves. Barbie became one of the most commercially successful films of Margot Robbie’s career, delivering her first billion-dollar box office performance and fueling substantial Oscar buzz. For many, it’s now almost impossible to imagine anyone else as Barbie, even though the path started with a very different vision.
Timeline: The Evolution of Barbie’s Lead Casting
| Year | Lead Actress Considered | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Amy Schumer | Attached, later exited (creative differences) |
| 2017-2018 | Anne Hathaway | Considered, project stalled |
| 2019 | Gal Gadot | First choice, but unavailable |
| 2020 | Margot Robbie | Producer and confirmed lead |
| 2023 | Margot Robbie | Film released and acclaimed |
Why Margot Robbie Was Ultimately the Perfect Barbie
Robbie’s take on the character and her involvement as a producer were pivotal. Her performance balanced classic glamour with authenticity, humor, and a modern perspective on identity and self-worth—confirming the wisdom of her colleagues’ urging.
Her ‘Barbie energy’ was evident both on- and off-camera, creating a collaborative spirit among the cast and delivering a nuanced, complex protagonist. While Gadot, Schumer, or Hathaway might have delivered a fascinating alternate version, Robbie’s performance resonated deeply with both new and nostalgic fans.
Other Notable Cast Members and Surprises
The film’s ensemble pushed its world beyond typical Barbie-and-Ken tropes. Not only were there multiple Barbies and Kens, but actors of diverse backgrounds brought new interpretations to longstanding characters. Issa Rae and America Ferrera, among others, ensured that Barbie’s world reflected the modern, multi-dimensional reality audiences expect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who was originally cast as Barbie before Margot Robbie?
A: The first major star attached to Barbie was Amy Schumer in 2016, who later left the project due to creative differences. Anne Hathaway was also briefly in the running.
Q: Why didn’t Gal Gadot play Barbie?
A: Gal Gadot was the top choice for the role by both Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig, but she was unavailable due to existing commitments, particularly filming for another project.
Q: Did Gal Gadot respond to being considered for the Barbie role?
A: Yes, Gadot was touched and publicly shared her appreciation for Robbie’s comments, stating that she was honored and that Robbie’s praise “warmed her heart”.
Q: How did Margot Robbie influence the movie as both actress and producer?
A: Robbie was deeply involved in assembling the creative team, setting the tone on set, and developing the script, making her influence crucial to the movie’s tone and success.
Q: What does ‘Barbie energy’ mean according to the cast and crew?
A: ‘Barbie energy’ refers to a unique mix of stunning looks, genuine warmth, approachability, and an enthusiastically optimistic personality—described as “right before being a dork”.
Final Thoughts: The Legacy of Casting Barbie
The story of Barbie’s casting reveals more than just a behind-the-scenes anecdote; it reflects a larger trend in Hollywood to rethink the meaning of femininity, authenticity, and empowerment in iconic characters. The combination of Robbie’s performance, Gerwig’s vision, and the respect among all contenders underscores a new era for both Barbie and blockbuster filmmaking—a collaboration rooted in admiration, inclusiveness, and playful ambition.
References
- https://www.ajc.com/life/margot-robbie-reveals-wonder-woman-star-was-first-choice-for-barbie-role/67HSMV7BR5DR5NGYYRJXPCSWFY/
- https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64196284/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LDjker-ARo
- https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/culture/gal-gadot-first-choice-barbie-movie-role-response-margot-robbie-celebrity-news
