Breaking Barriers: Barbie Shatters Gender Norms, As Simu Liu Declares The Revolution

Simu Liu, who stars as Ken in the upcoming Barbie movie, believes that the film will help resolve the long-standing debate over gendered toys. Development on the live-action Barbie film has faced numerous delays over the past decade, with different actors and writers being considered. However, in 2018, Warner Bros. acquired the rights to the Mattel line, leading to Margot Robbie signing on to star and produce, alongside Greta Gerwig who will co-write and direct.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Simu Liu shared his personal connection to the Barbie toy line. Although he did not have a relationship with the dolls as a child, Liu was attracted to the film for its significant exploration of gendered toys. He believes that Greta Gerwig's subversive approach will challenge the outdated and heteronormative targeting of the brand's past, ultimately putting an end to this issue.

I didn't have a prior connection with Barbie. I was raised in a society that strongly adhered to traditional gender norms. From a young age, we were taught that certain things were meant for boys and others for girls. Colors and toys were categorized based on gender; these were the rules imposed on us. Consequently, Barbie was not my toy; it belonged to the opposite team.

I'm grateful for the existence of this movie as it challenges the heteronormative concept of gender. How can a color be associated with a specific gender? Throughout the movie, I've witnessed, experienced, worn, and played with more pink than I ever thought possible. It has been liberating to freely express myself in every way I desire. I no longer feel restricted by attributions of gender or ideas. This is what has resonated with me in being a part of this movie. It encapsulates my understanding of Barbie and what I hope audiences will take away from watching it.

Barbie Marks A New Era For Mattel

The cast of Barbie has been supportive of Gerwig's unconventional vision for the movie. Both the co-writer/director and Robbie expressed concerns about Mattel shutting down the project due to its criticisms of the company and toyline. However, Gerwig and Robbie have since praised Mattel for their creative involvement, which has allowed them to move forward with their self-aware approach. This positive response bodes well for their future on screen.

According to a recent report, the early positive reception to the Barbie movie has led to Mattel having over 45 movies in development based on their various toy brands. Currently, Barbie is slated to be the first film under the newly revived Mattel Films banner. Meanwhile, 16 other projects are in different stages of development. These include a new Wishbone adaptation at Universal, a Hot Wheels movie produced by J.J. Abrams, a Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots film starring Vin Diesel at Universal, and a Barney movie produced by Daniel Kaluuya, which is aiming for an A24-style tone, as hinted by a studio executive.

Gerwig and Robbie's innovative approach to Barbie in their latest project has paved the way for a thrilling wave of daring adaptations from Mattel in the future. Additionally, the movie is expected to surpass Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer at the box office during its opening weekend. The ongoing discussions Robbie mentioned about a potential Barbie 2 project will be closely watched, especially considering the challenge it may face from Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One later in the month.