Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling weren’t Greta Gerwig’s first priority for 'Barbie'

Barbie, the iconic doll-turned-movie, has taken the global box office by storm, raking in an impressive $196 million in international markets and amassing a total gross of around $400 million. Fans worldwide have appreciated the spectacular performances delivered by the cast and the exceptional efforts of the entire team behind the film.

However, interestingly, the path to Barbie's current cast was not without its twists and turns. Initially, other A-list Hollywood stars were considered before Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling eventually secured their roles. Amy Schumer, Anne Hathaway and Saoirse Ronan were on board for Barbie while Timothee Chalemet was considered for Ken.

Schumer left the project citing “creative differences” but later praised the movie for its feminist and cool aspects. Hathaway, too, had disagreements on the creative direction that ultimately resulted in her stepping away from the project, and the film faced delays that pushed its release date to 2020. Ronan, in particular, expressed regret at missing out on the opportunity to participate in the film. She revealed that she was initially supposed to have a cameo role in the movie, playing another Barbie character. However, scheduling conflicts prevented her from taking part. 

Eventually, Robbie embraced the role of Barbie and proved to be the perfect fit, according to her own vision. Margot envisioned Gal Gadot as an ideal candidate because of her charisma, energy, and natural beauty which would have brought a unique charm to the character.

Gerwig, in conversation with Variety, also stated that she was “disappointed” to know that Chalamet, due to unforeseen reasons, was unable to take on the roles.

Casting, however, was just one hurdle in the making of Barbie. Gerwig also had to face location scouting issues. Actor Dan Levy was forced to withdraw from the project, where he was set to play one of the Ken versions because of difficulties in finding suitable filming locations.

Even with the setbacks, the cast managed to come together and deliver a performance that resonated with audiences worldwide. Michael Cera's portrayal of Allan was particularly praised, though rumours had previously linked Glee actor Jonathan Groff to the role.

Another star who was in consideration for a role in Barbie was Bowen Yang from Saturday Night Live, but that opportunity did not materialise either. Ben Platt was disappointed at not securing a role as one of the Kens too.

The movie's success has far exceeded expectations, and industry insiders predict that Barbie is on track to surpass the $500 million mark in its first week, cementing its position as one of the highest-grossing films of the year.

Mattel Executives have not been shy about expressing their excitement over the film's triumph. Heartened by the overwhelming response to Barbie, they have shared ambitious plans for a Mattel Cinematic Universe, aiming to capitalise on the success of their beloved toy franchises by creating a shared universe for their various characters to coexist on the silver screen.

With Barbie's triumph at the box office, it's evident that the iconic doll has found a new life on the big screen, captivating audiences and setting the stage for a whole new era in the Mattel Cinematic Universe. 

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