Greta Gerwig's Barbie Revolution: Margot Robbie's Game-Changing Verdict

Greta Gerwig's involvement in Barbie has revolutionized the film industry. The highly acclaimed Barbie movie portrayed the iconic doll, brilliantly portrayed by Margot Robbie, as she navigated the complexities of the real world and discovered her own humanity, all while Ken played a pivotal role alongside her.

In our five-star review of the movie, we describe Barbie as a captivating enigma. It defies the notion that it is solely a children's film by offering a thoughtful and heartfelt experience for adults as well. Rather than pandering to its audience, Barbie is a comforting and deeply personal exploration. It evokes the nostalgic feeling of stumbling upon one's childhood dolls at their parents' house, but goes beyond that to present a meaningful and existential journey.

Barbie took the world by storm this summer, receiving both critical acclaim and commercial success. While the performances rightfully earned praise, director Greta Gerwig has been hailed as a game-changer in the industry. According to Robbie, Gerwig has revolutionized the way movies will be crafted in the future.

Greta Gerwig has made a “massive” difference for female directors

During the Los Angeles panel for the Deadline Contenders Film, Margot Robbie, also known as Barbie, discussed her decision to approach Gerwig as the director for the project. Explaining her reasoning, the actor and executive producer stated, "I didn't want to create a shallow portrayal of Barbie. I wanted us to confront the challenging aspects just as much as we appreciated the positive elements." Robbie further emphasized, "That's precisely why I pursued Greta [Gerwig], because I knew she would approach it in that way."

Robbie obtained the rights to Barbie through her production company LuckyChap before approaching Gerwig. Initially, there was no specific story in mind, but Robbie remained optimistic. She recognized Barbie's global popularity and emphasized this during the pitch presentation: "Barbie is known worldwide. We even showcased a map to highlight her recognition worldwide."

Robbie continued to praise Gerwig, acknowledging her significant impact on the future of female directors and stories led by women. Robbie believed that Gerwig's achievements had changed the game, creating new opportunities. She expressed confidence that another original idea with a female protagonist and a substantial budget would emerge, pointing to Barbie's success as proof that such projects can be profitable. Robbie concluded by expressing her excitement about the positive implications this would have: "This development is amazing because it will encourage the green light for more projects like this."

Without a doubt, the movie has established a standard as it now holds the record for being the highest-grossing film produced by Warner Bros and the highest-grossing movie ever directed by a woman.

Despite Gerwig's success, there have been female directors prior to her. During the same panel, Gerwig expressed her support for these directors, acknowledging their contributions by stating, "We would not have been able to achieve what we did if it weren't for those women. So, you are not alone in this journey. Many have come before us and many will follow."

Check out Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie at work in the Barbie behind the scenes footage below:

Check out our other Barbie coverage below:

Editor's P/S

Greta Gerwig's revolutionary work on Barbie has made a monumental impact on female directors and the film industry as a whole. Margot Robbie, who portrays Barbie in the film, approached Gerwig to direct the project because she wanted to avoid creating a shallow portrayal of the iconic doll. Gerwig's approach to the film was thoughtful and heartfelt, resulting in a movie that is both captivating and meaningful.

Robbie's decision to pursue Gerwig as the director has paid off, as Barbie has become the highest-grossing film produced by Warner Bros and the highest-grossing movie ever directed by a woman. Gerwig's success is a testament to her talent and vision, and it has paved the way for more opportunities for female directors in the future.