Margot Robbie reveals Gal Gadot was the first choice for playing the role of Barbie
Margot Robbie revealed she wasn’t the first choice for the part of Barbie.
The Australian star, 32, said it was actually Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot, 38, who was considered the best choice to play the iconic doll in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming live-action film, before the role finally went to her .
Robbie – who is also a producer on the film – said she and Gerwig, 39, were looking for someone with “Barbie energy” and thought Gadot had what it took.
“Gal Gadot is Barbie energy,” the blonde beauty shared in a new interview with Vogue.
“Because Gal Gadot is so incredibly beautiful, but you don’t hate her because she’s so beautiful, because she’s so genuinely sincere and so enthusiastically nice, it’s almost dorky. It’s just before you’re a dork.”
What Could Have Been: Margot Robbie revealed that she wasn’t the first choice for the role of Barbie in the new movie, and that the top choice was Gal Gadot; (L) Margot in 2023, (R) Gal in 2022
But since Gadot couldn’t commit to the role at the time, Robbie decided to take the lead role.
The Barbie movie was first conceived in 2016, with Amy Schumer originally being brought in to play the titular role and co-write the screenplay with her sister Kim Caramele.
A year later, Amy left the project citing “creative differences,” leaving Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach to write the screenplay and Margot to take the role.
Elsewhere in the interview, Margot’s co-star Ryan Gosling spoke about working with the actress on set and revealed she was essential in helping his inner Ken Doll.
The role was unexpected for the studious, twice-Oscar-nominated actor, 42, but luckily Margot was on hand to bring out his sassy side.
Ryan explained, “She left a pink gift with a pink bow every day, from Barbie to Ken, while we were filming. They were all beach related.
“Like puka shells, or a sign that says ‘Pray for Branding.’ Because Ken’s job is just beach. I never quite figured out what that means. But I felt like she was trying to help Ken understand, through these gifts she gave.”
As for how Margot took on the role of Barbie, she revealed that her goal was to change the perception of the controversial doll to those who “actively hate” the brand.
Barbie: Robbie, 32 – who is also a producer on the film – said she and director Greta Gerwig, 39, were looking for someone with “Barbie energy” and thought Gadot had what it took
The right energy: “Gal Gadot is Barbie energy,” the blonde beauty shared in a new interview with Vogue; Gal seen in 2023
How she got it: But because Gadot couldn’t commit to the role at the time, Robbie decided to take the lead role; Robbie suggested 2023
Another option: The Barbie movie was first conceived in 2016, originally starring Amy Schumer to play the titular role. However, she later left the project citing “creative differences”; Pictured in 2022
She explained, “Obviously we want to honor the 60-year legacy of this brand, but we have to recognize that there are a lot of people who aren’t fans of Barbie.
And in fact, are not just indifferent to Barbie. They actively hate Barbie. And have a real problem with Barbie. We need to find a way to acknowledge that.’
She addressed the “sexualization” of Barbie, reasoning, “I’m like, ‘Okay, she’s a doll. She’s a plastic doll. She doesn’t have organs. If she doesn’t have organs, she doesn’t have reproductive organs.’ organs. If she has no reproductive organs, would she feel sexual desire? No, I don’t think she could.”
“She’s sexualized. But she should never be sexy. People can project sex onto her. Yes, she can wear a short skirt, but because it’s fun and pink. Not because she wanted you to see her ass.”
Recalling her initial reaction to the script, Margot confessed that she and husband Tom Ackerley had doubts that the film would ever get made.
She explained, “We just looked at each other, pure panic on our faces. We were like, Holy fucking s**t.
“I think the first thing I said to Tom was, ‘This is so genius. It’s such a shame we’ll never be able to make this movie.'”
Cozy co-stars: During the interview, Margot’s co-star Ryan Gosling spoke about working with the actress on set and reveals she was fundamental in helping his inner Ken Doll
Come to play: The Barbie movie – also starring Simu Liu, Issa Rae, Michael Cera and Kate McKinnon – will be released in theaters July 21
The cast is a who’s who of Hollywood powerhouses, with Will Ferrell as Mattel’s CEO and Helen Mirren as the narrator.
Marvel star Simu Liu, Issa Rae, Michael Cera and Kate McKinnon star as residents of Barbieland, while Rhea Perlman, America Ferrera and Alexandra Shipp are also attached to the film.
Dua Lipa, who also plays one of the Barbies, will release a hit song written especially for the film, MailOnline revealed.
The Barbie live-action movie will be released in theaters on July 21.