Mattel is introducing a unique doll inspired by Kate McKinnon’s character in the Barbie movie.
The Eccentric Barbie, priced at $50, is a customized doll available for pre-order exclusively on Mattel Creations. This doll mirrors McKinnon’s character with its ability to perform extraordinary splits. Its distinctive hairstyle and facial markings imitate the appearance of a well-worn toy.
Greta Gerwig, who directed the movie and cowrote it with her partner, Noah Baumbach, explained the idea behind Weird Barbie during a July interview with Rolling Stone.
"We were raised in a neighborhood where many girls older than me lived. Consequently, I inherited several Barbies that had already been given haircuts," she revealed.
Upon receiving the script from Gerwig, McKinnon, 39, immediately recognized that the role was tailor-made for her. "The way the lines were written... I quickly realized that she simply wanted me to make a brief appearance as myself. There was no need for me to go out of my comfort zone," the former Saturday Night Live cast member shared with Jess Cagle on Sirius XM in July.
While Weird Barbie's character showcased remarkable flexibility, McKinnon disclosed that she didn't actually perform any splits for the movie. "That leg was fake — and it was quite heavy," she shared during Entertainment Weekly's July roundtable discussion with the Barbie cast.
Adding to the conversation, Issa Rae, who portrayed President Barbie in the comedic fantasy, commended her co-star for successfully executing the stunt. "Everyone questioned if that was your real leg, and the way you convincingly portrayed it, you should feel proud," she praised.
Courtesy of Mattel
Apart from Weird Barbie, Mattel has introduced various other dolls inspired by the immensely anticipated movie, which achieved a groundbreaking $162 million in its opening weekend in July. This collection includes, of course, dolls resembling the film's main characters Barbie and Ken, portrayed by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling respectively.
During a July interview with Gosling, 42, conducted by The New York Times, Robbie, 33, confessed that she had "bribed" Gosling into doing the film by promising to bring him presents every day. True to her word, the actress fulfilled her promise, causing Gosling to jokingly express that the constant gift-giving became "unsustainable." However, Robbie remained steadfast in her commitment, stating, "I commit to a joke. I really do," during the interview.
After agreeing to join the cast, Gosling informed his daughters, Esmeralda, 8, and Amada, 7 (whom he shares with partner Eva Mendes), that he would be portraying the character of Ken.
Courtesy of Mattel
The actor who portrayed the Gray Man mentioned that his children were perplexed, pointing out that their Ken dolls are not referred to as Ken. "One of them goes by Darrell, a grocery store employee. And there's Barbie named Gym Class. Gym Class encountered Darrell at the grocery store, but right now, she's focusing on herself. ... [Ken] is hardly present in their world."