Ahead of Barbie’s worldwide release in cinemas next week, actress Margot Robbie said she was bewildered by the love fans are showing for the movie. The 32-year-old actress, who also produced the Greta Gerwig-directed flick, has been promoting it around the world dressed in outfits that pay homage to the Mattel doll’s closet. She was a vision in pink and polka dots at a photo call recently in Los Angeles, rocking a pink Valentino cut-out mini dress with polka dots teamed with white Manolo Blahnik court heels. She accessorized her look with pearl earrings and a matching pink leather purse.
Robbie’s co-star Ryan Gosling – who stars as Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken – was also on hand for the photo call. The two have been spotted together on the filming set wearing their coordinating outfits, including cowboy outfits, neon outfits, and bright yellow rollerblades. They have even sported matching pink neckerchiefs and pink hats in other pictures.
The first teaser trailer for the film was released last December and opened with girls playing with baby dolls in a rugged setting. Then it cuts to a shot of Robbie towering above the dolls in her black-and-white striped swimsuit and heels before she smashes them. The clip was accompanied by the Beach Boys’ song Fun, Fun, Fun.
When it comes to casting the role, Robbie was not a household name at the time, but her producers hoped her “sensational acting talents” would win over Mattel. “It was a huge risk for us, but we all loved Margot as much as we loved the script,” producer Ynon Kreiz told Variety in 2018. He added that while he was ” reluctant about giving Barbie to someone with her stereotypical look,” he was thrilled when he saw Robbie’s audition video and realized she was the perfect actress.
Robbie was a fan of the script’s message about how gender roles are not set in stone and that it is up to children to shape their own lives. She has previously spoken about the importance of the film for young women and how she hopes it will help to change perceptions about what a woman should be like.
The movie will tell the story of Barbie, who discovers that she cannot just live in her imaginary world of toys. Her life changes when she enters reality, with a cast including America Ferrera as her friend, Kate McKinnon as her sister Skipper, and Will Ferrell as the CEO of Mattel. Other cast members include Connor Swindell, Rhea Perlman, Dua Lipa, Alexandra Shipp, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Scott Evans, Ana Cruz Kayne, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa.
