Barbie star Emma Mackey teases an unexpected tone for the upcoming film. The highly-anticipated Barbie movie is directed by Lady Bird and Little Women's Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with her frequent collaborator and partner, Noah Baumbach, who is an incredibly accomplished filmmaker in his own right. Baumbach's most recent film was 2019's Marriage Story with this year's White Noise now on its heels, which stars Gerwig in a lead role. After that film's release, Barbie will be Gerwig and Baumbach's next collaboration showcasing the duo's immense talent.
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Margot Robbie leads the Barbie cast as the titular Mattel doll alongside Ryan Gosling, who sports six-pack abs as Ken. Sex Education's breakout star Mackey joined the cast earlier this year in an undisclosed role and was the first to confirm the Barbie movie includes multiple Barbies. This includes Insecure's Issa Rae and Transparent's Hari Nef as other Barbies and Shang-Chi's Simu Liu and Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa as other Kens. They all star alongside Will Ferrell as the fictional CEO of Mattel. However, plot details for Barbie remain firmly under wraps.
During Mackey's recent interview with Total Film (via GamesRadar+) promoting her new film Emily, the conversation naturally comes around to Barbie and the actor can barely contain her excitement. Since Warner Bros. is handling the project with a healthy dose of secrecy, Mackey cannot reveal too much, though she does tease the film's unexpected tone and says that many people will be surprised by it. Read her comments below:
It’s very unexpected in many ways. I think people are going to have an idea of the film, and I don’t think it’s going to be that. It’s going to be a surprise. I’m really excited. And it’s a comedy, thank God. No crying in this film! Let me tell you that. No crying! It was great to do pure comedy – an American comedy, as well. And I got to work with some heroes.
During the interview, Mackey also addressed all the Robbie look-alike comparisons, which is seemingly the reason why she was cast in the Barbie movie. By all accounts, this is a film that aims to avoid any preconceived notions audiences might have about a Barbie movie. That plot specifics haven't been revealed yet has only increased speculation, and Mackey's comments won't do much to stop that speculation. Barbie will be a comedy, that much is clear, but it seems there could be some extra elements at play as well. A satirical edge, perhaps. However, don't expect any hardcore drama, as Mackey promises there is no need for tissues.
Robbie was the first to say the Barbie movie would be unexpected and now, in a move fit for her doppelgänger, Mackey is following suit. Based on both their comments, the Barbie movie's goal is clearly to subvert expectations, though with Gerwig not having made any public comments about the film yet, it's unclear what direction the Oscar-nominated director is taking. If Barbie's viral set photos are any indication, the film is definitely going to be a fun time when it releases in theaters next summer.