Barbie may seem like a strange move for the Oscar-winning director. Even Gerwig thought the Barbie movie would be a career-ender. However, it was that fear that spurred her to take the role. Gerwig felt it was a challenge, and as an artist, she couldn’t pass that opportunity up. Gerwig is being joined on the project by Robbie, who’s playing Barbie, and Ryan Gosling, who’s playing Ken.

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In the new Barbie movie trailer, little girls can be seen playing with non-branded dolls. As they play, a large figure looms over them: Barbie herself, clad in a black-and-white swimsuit. While they look at and admire her, they start smashing their dolls. The whole sequence is a parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The trailer also features clips from the film, revealing Barbie’s world: a large, plastic society that looks like a child’s playhouse. There are a few shots of Gosling’s Ken, and the trailer also reveals a look at Shang-Chi star Simu Liu’s role in the film.

The trailer’s parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey feels like a cheeky reference to fans who questioned Gerwig’s move to the franchise. Even Robbie admitted she was mortified by the Barbie set photos. As a children’s toy, many have expressed criticism that a film can even be made about the character. But the character’s conceit is that she can be anything; her character has been a doctor, an astronaut, and much, much more. The animated movies also have no trouble coming up with stories for Barbie to be involved in. While the film may not be for everyone, it can still be a fun movie for kids.

Will Farrell is also set to star in Barbie as an antagonist. He does not appear in the trailer, however. Farrell will reportedly play a villainous toy executive in the ‘real world’ rather than in Barbie’s world. As the trailer appears to be focused on showing off Barbie’s world, it’s probably not time yet for the character to appear. Still, he’ll probably have a big enough role in the actual movie.

Barbie is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 21, 2023.

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