From Ballet to Battle: How Barbie Dance Rehearsal Mirrors MCU Fight Choreography

Simu Liu, the star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, recently shared a video of his dance rehearsal process for his upcoming role as Ken in Greta Gerwig's Barbie. In the video, Liu highlights the similarities between the choreography and his fight scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor was recently shown off in the trailer for the film, where he participated in an elaborate dance number and interacted with Ryan Gosling's Ken. With the Barbie release date set for next month, Liu's post gives fans a sneak peek into his preparation for the highly anticipated movie.

Liu draws a comparison between the dance choreography in the upcoming Barbie movie and the fight choreography he learned for his standout bus fight sequence in Shang-Chi. He shares that he has a background in hip hop dance and even competed in hip hop competitions with his college dance crew. His appreciation for the opportunity to return to his roots is evident in his caption.

What The Barbie Trailer Reveals About The Dance Sequences

The recently released full trailer for the upcoming Barbie film offers a glimpse into the plot as well as a sneak peek of one of its major dance numbers. The trailer showcases a lively party at Robbie's character's house with a planned choreography and a bespoke song. Set to the disco-themed track "Dance the Night" by Dua Lipa, the dance sequence features a host of Barbie and Ken dolls dancing together in a synchronized routine. Liu's Ken shares the spotlight with Robbie's character, dancing alongside her in some parts of the sequence. While the film promises to have several dance numbers, this one in particular is set in Barbie Land with a myriad of dolls joining in on the fun.

Barbie's sudden question about mortality puts a twist on the initially lighthearted dance sequence, ultimately resulting in Robbie's expulsion from Barbie Land for daring to contemplate the meaning of life. The impact of this sequence on the overall movie and the extent of its inclusion remain to be revealed, but the cast members, including Liu, dedicated time and effort to perfecting their dance moves.