Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling (La La Land) is set to star in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie film as Ken, according to Deadline. The actor is reportedly in final negotiations to play the Mattel character in the Warner Bros. feature that is being directed by the Oscar-nominated Gerwig (Lady Bird) who co-wrote the screenplay with long-time partner, collaborator, and fellow Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story).
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Based on Mattel’s popular doll, the live-action Barbie movie will be led by Oscar nominee Margot Robbie (I, Tonya, The Suicide Squad), who is also serving as a producer through her LuckyChap banner. Further details about its plot and characters are still being kept under wraps, but production is expected to finally begin in early next year at Warner Bros.’ Leavesden Studios in London. The studio is reportedly planning to release the film in 2023.
The film will also be produced by LuckyChap’s Tom Ackerly and Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner and David Heyman along with LuckyChap’s Josey McNamara and Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz. This marks Robbie’s latest collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures after starring as fan-favorite anti-hero Harley Quinn in 2016’s Suicide Squad, 2020’s Birds of Prey, and this year’s The Suicide Squad.
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Barbie was originally being developed at Sony for the last few years, with Amy Schumer and then Anne Hathaway both initially in talks to star in the movie, while Diablo Cody was also previously attached to write. However, the project’s development was ultimately moved to Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures.
