Is Ken's role in the summer blockbuster Barbie substantial enough to warrant his own spin-off film? In the movie, Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the focus is on the titular doll's adventure in the real world while exploring the Mattel company and the concept of girlhood. Ken's presence in the film stands out as well.
In our 5-Star review of Barbie, we acknowledged the potential issue of a male character standing out in a Barbie movie, but also praised Gosling's delightful charisma in satirizing masculinity. Despite this, Barbie's success at the box office leaves the possibility for a Ken spin-off movie open.
Will Ken get his own Barbie movie?
As of writing, a Ken movie has been hinted by writer-director Greta Gerwig, but it is far from being confirmed.
During a CBS' 60 Minutes interview, Gerwig revealed that the original Barbie script had an abundance of lines and material for Ken, so much so that not all of it could be used. There was even a scene planned for Ryan Gosling to play himself, as he was always considered for the role of Ken, with his full name written next to Ken's lines in the screenplay's initial draft.
"We had an excessive amount of material for Ken. We kept writing and writing," Gerwig explained.
When asked about the possibility of a Ken movie, Gerwig responded with a laugh, saying that she couldn't confirm anything but also wouldn't completely rule it out: "I guess we'll see." The stars of Barbie shared similar sentiments, with America Ferrera adding, "Greta and Margot didn't intend to create a franchise. They poured their hearts into it and did everything they loved and knew how to do. It's refreshing, isn't it? We're not planning for 20 years of 'Barbie' movies. But who knows? There might be 20 years of Barbie...or even a Ken spinoff? I know nothing, so anything's possible."
Gosling also pitched in with more Ken ideas, joking “Can it be a husky Ken? Can I play Husky Ken, like Sandwich Ken? Can I play that Ken next time?”
What would a Ken movie be about?
In her interview, Gerwig mentioned that although no script has been confirmed, some of the original draft material for Barbie that was cut focused on the impact of "Ken" on the real world. This could include delving into the concept of patriarchy in our society and exploring the perception of male dolls and how boys who play with dolls are typically treated.
The anticipated star of the film would likely be Ryan Gosling, who is closely associated with the role. However, given the abundance of Kens, a completely new cast could also be considered.
Will there be any Barbie sequel?
According to Gerwig, the possibility of an official Barbie 2 seems unlikely. The director recently revealed to The New York Times: “I wouldn’t want to squash anybody else’s dream but for me, at this moment, I’m at totally zero.” Read more about that here.
Even if a sequel isn't in the works, a spin-off movie may still be a possibility. We will continue to monitor any updates about a potential "Kenergy" movie. And even if there's no spin-off for Ken, his fantastic role in Barbie was definitely "Kenough." Barbie will be streaming on Max starting December 15th.
Check out our other Barbie coverage below:
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Barbie, I am thrilled at the prospect of a Ken spin-off movie. Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken in the recent Barbie film was nothing short of iconic, and I believe he has the potential to carry his own solo film. The idea of exploring the impact of "Ken" on the real world, particularly in relation to patriarchy and the treatment of boys who play with dolls, is both intriguing and thought-provoking. I would love to see a deeper dive into Ken's character and his experiences, and I believe a spin-off movie could provide the perfect opportunity for this.
While I understand that a Barbie sequel may not be in the works, I am hopeful that a Ken spin-off movie will come to fruition. I believe it has the potential to be a successful and entertaining film that appeals to a wide audience. I am excited to see what the future holds for Ken and his journey beyond the Barbie film.
