The Barbie movie, led by Margot Robbie, boasts a star-studded cast. The on-set dynamic between the actors playing Barbie and Ken characters was highly unique. Before receiving positive feedback for its comedy and cultural relevance, the film's release introduced an impressive list of stars through visually captivating posters. Notable celebrities such as Michael Cera, who played Ken's best friend Allan, Simu Liu from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Emma Mackey from Sex Education, Ncuti Gatwa, a future Doctor Who lead, and Hari Nef from Transparent were among the intriguing cast members.
With multiple actors embodying different versions of the same character, it must have been challenging to differentiate between the characters in the Barbie movie. While discussing the overall tone and dynamics of the cast with Screen Rant, Ana Cruz Kayne, who portrayed Supreme Court Justice Barbie, revealed a classification method for the Kens. However, this classification did not make the task any easier. Take a look at what Kayne shared below.
How Barbie's Sisterhood Makes It A Better Movie
It was an incredibly collaborative experience, forming a strong bond of sisterhood. Even with the Kens, whom we affectionately referred to as the Daddies, the sense of sisterhood prevailed. We continuously lifted one another up, and this supportive atmosphere truly shines through. After viewing a cut of the project, I exclaimed, "Oh my god, I adore all these individuals."
Speculation surrounding potential Oscar nominations for Barbie has been sparked by Barbie's early reactions, and a major contributing factor to this buzz is the remarkable atmosphere that writer-director Greta Gerwig managed to cultivate on set. The vast ensemble cast of Barbie, particularly those who occupy the central setting of Barbie Land, thrived in a spirited and collaborative environment, resulting in amplified impact for every moment captured on film. Kayne, in an exclusive interview, elaborated on this phenomenon.
Greta created a wonderfully friendly and enjoyable atmosphere on set. Before filming our major dance sequence, which was among the first scenes we shot, we all participated in a warm-up. It was an amazing way to get everyone moving together and functioning as a harmonious unit. The atmosphere was lighthearted as we were all dressed in eye-catching sequins and shimmering attire, and even the DP joined in and danced along. It felt like a collective effort, with everyone taking synchronized breaths. This collaborative and supportive environment was established by Greta, who set the tone for the entire production.
Although there wasn't much room for flexibility in the script, she encouraged us to infuse our own personal touch into the delivery and embodiment of our Barbie characters. She would often say, "Embrace what feels fun to you." It's like she created a precedent that allowed us to fully embrace our weirdness and amplify our performances in a loving and safe environment. I believe you'll see this reflected in the beauty of our film.
Kayne's observation that Gerwig gave the cast the freedom to interact and improvise is a significant factor in the potential success of the Barbie movie. With such a large cast, a strict filmmaker could easily become overly focused on micromanaging each individual's performance, potentially diminishing the natural charm that arises from genuine friendships. This level of trust also enabled the ensemble cast to fully immerse themselves in bold and unconventional sequences such as a choreographed dance-off and an intense beach brawl.
Given Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach's impressive track record of six Oscar nominations between them, it would be understandable if the Barbie movie's cast decided to strictly adhere to their script. However, even toy company Mattel managed to overcome their initial concerns and put their trust in Gerwig and Robbie's vision. As a result, many are already praising the film for living up to its anticipated hype.
