Greta Gerwig Defends ‘Barbie’ Against Critics: Unleashing a Bold New Era of Empowerment!

Greta Gerwig, the director of Barbie, has a graceful way of dealing with the film's harshest critics. In an interview with The New York Times published on Tuesday, July 25, Gerwig, 39, expressed her desire for the movie to be inclusive and encourage both women and men to let go of anything that doesn't serve them.

Barbie proved to be a box office success following its premiere on Friday, July 21st. However, the movie has also ignited backlash from conservative critics who deem it as overly "woke" and portraying an anti-men agenda. In protest, a few individuals have gone to the extent of burning Barbie dolls. Gerwig acknowledged the fervent reactions, expressing her desire for those who engage with the film to find solace and a sense of relief similar to what others have experienced.

Despite the backlash, Gerwig has been delighted to see fans from diverse backgrounds connecting with the story. In the film, Barbie (played by Robbie, aged 33) embarks on a journey alongside Ken (portrayed by Gosling, aged 42) from Barbie Land to the real world in order to uncover the reason behind her malfunctioning.

Gerwig, who collaborated with Noah Baumbach on the script for Barbie, shared a heartwarming anecdote: "My brother, his sons, and his wife all went to see the movie in Sacramento. They sent me a picture and later texted me that their oldest son planned to go back with his friends the next day. It's incredible to receive messages from these 15 or 16-year-old boys from Sacramento saying, 'It was great! We loved the Porsche joke!' It's a truly unique experience for me."

Barbie premiered in direct competition with Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, sparking the "Barbenheimer" online campaign to encourage viewers to watch both films consecutively. Ultimately, Barbie surpassed Oppenheimer's earnings, making $162 million during its opening weekend compared to Oppenheimer's $82.4 million. Greta Gerwig, the director of Barbie, expressed her gratitude and astonishment at the film's initial success, stating that seeing people dressed in pink exceeded her wildest expectations.

Ryan Gosling, Margot Robbie, and Greta Gerwig. Jaap Buitendijk

Barbie-mania has completely taken over Hollywood, but Gerwig is not in a hurry to direct a sequel. "Right now, it's the only thing I have," she expressed. "Every time I finish a movie, I feel like I will never come up with another idea, and that I have accomplished everything I ever wanted to do. While I don't want to discourage anyone else's dreams, I am starting from scratch at this moment."

On the other hand, Robbie previously hinted that discussions for a continuation of the film are underway. "There are countless possibilities from this point forward," the actress, who also had a role as a producer in the successful summer film, revealed to Time magazine last month. "However, I believe it's a bit of a trap if you try to set up a first movie while simultaneously planning for sequels."

Gerwig will be fully occupied directing Netflix's upcoming Chronicles of Narnia films, a project that she finds intimidating yet thrilling. She shared on the "Inside Total Film" podcast on Thursday, July 20, that being scared is a positive indicator for her. She acknowledged that if the fear ever subsides, it might be a sign that the project is not the right fit for her. Nevertheless, she expressed her immense terror and excitement for this extraordinary opportunity.