Cillian Murphy Expresses Enthusiasm to Portray Barbie's Ken in 'Barbie 2': Fans Get Excited!

Cillian Murphy. David Fisher/Shutterstock

Oppenheimer has just been released in theaters, and actor Cillian Murphy is already considering his next project. Fans have also been suggesting ideas for him. Recently, during an interview with Cinefilos, Murphy, 47, was asked if he would be open to appearing in a possible sequel to Barbie, after months of fans creating Barbenheimer memes, pairing him with Margot Robbie.

"I'd be up for playing Ken in Barbie 2," Murphy chuckled. "Absolutely! I'd love to take a look at the script and discuss it."

In addition to his role as atomic bomb creator J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's film, Murphy expressed his excitement about Greta Gerwig's directorial and writing efforts in Barbie. "I'm really eager to watch the movie," he shared. "I believe it's a fantastic addition to the world of cinema, especially with all the amazing movies coming out this summer."

Barbenheimer captured the attention of the internet when social media users discovered that both movies were released on the same date, Friday, July 21st. Although the jokes initially began as an online prank, the conversation ended up benefiting both films in terms of their box office success. Barbie, in particular, achieved first place, earning a remarkable $162 million and securing the biggest opening weekend of the year. Additionally, it also set a record for the largest opening ever for a film directed by a woman.

Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution, Jeff Goldstein, acknowledged the significance of this achievement and stated, "This exceptional outcome is a testament to the immense buzz, interest, and excitement surrounding Barbie. This movie will undoubtedly achieve great success for a long time."

Universal Studios

In contrast, Oppenheimer raked in an astonishing $82 million. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that this remarkable triumph signifies the first instance where a three-day weekend has witnessed a film debuting with over $100 million while another surpasses $50 million.

Cinemark, one of the largest theater chains in the U.S., reported that Barbenheimer delivered their largest summer weekend ever. According to Cinemark's chief marketing and content officer, Wanda Gierhart Fearing, the significant number of consumers who visited their theaters to see Barbie and Oppenheimer during opening weekend is proof that people love coming together to enjoy captivating storytelling on the big screen. Additionally, the turnout of Christopher Nolan fans to see his latest masterpiece in the immersive theatrical format he envisioned was remarkable.

No official announcements have been made about a sequel to Barbie, despite its impressive success. However, the movie's remarkable debut suggests that audiences are enthusiastic about the plastic lifestyle. Robbie, 33, suggested last month that Barbie has the potential to become a franchise, although she emphasized that no one was considering that possibility during the project's development.

"I think it's easy to get caught up in trying to create a franchise with the first movie, instead of focusing on just making a great film," she explained to TIME in June. "There are countless possibilities for where the story could go from here."