Introduction
In the 2023 fantasy comedy film Barbie, directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig, the spotlight was on the Barbies and the complexities of womanhood. However, the movie also shed light on toxic masculinity and showcased numerous interpretations of Ken in Barbieland. While the film primarily focused on Ryan Gosling's Ken and his feud with Simu Liu's Ken, it failed to fully utilize one of its best Kens: Scott Evans' Stereotypical Ken.
Scott Evans Barbie movie
The Ken characters in the Barbie cast, aside from Gosling, portrayed by a talented ensemble including Simu Liu as Tourist Ken/'Rival Ken,' Kingsley Ben-Adir as Basketball Ken, Ncuti Gatwa as Artist Ken, Scott Evans as Stereotypical Ken, and John Cena as Kenmaid. Each Ken seemingly got their moment to shine in the movie, except for one of them: Stereotypical Ken, portrayed by Scott Evans.
Ken's with toy horses in Barbie
The Underutilization of Scott Evans' Stereotypical Ken
Scott Evans' portrayal of Stereotypical Ken in Barbie was a standout performance despite his character barely receiving any screen time in the one-hour and 54-minute film. While Margot Robbie's character, Stereotypical Barbie, was showcased, Evans' character was severely underutilized in the story. However, Evans made sure to make every second count with his highly effective portrayal of Stereotypical Ken.
It's a shame that the movie didn't take advantage of Evans's talent by giving his character a more significant role. Stereotypical Ken was one of the best Kens in Barbie, and the underutilization of his character was a missed opportunity to showcase his talent and contribute more to the narrative.
The Potential for a Ken Spinoff
Following the success of Greta Gerwig's 2023 masterpiece, Mattel has plans to bring more of its properties to the big screen, including 'Barney,' 'Polly Pocket,' 'Thomas and Friends,' and 'American Girl.' Additionally, there are considerations for Barbie sequels and the potential for a Ken spinoff. With the overwhelming praise for Ryan Gosling's role as Beach Ken, it's evident that there's an audience interest in exploring the world of Kens.
If a Ken spinoff gets the green light from Mattel and Warner Bros., it could provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the characters of Scott Evans' Stereotypical Ken and the other Kens portrayed by Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa. It would allow the audience to see more of the Kens' stories and showcase the talent of the ensemble cast, addressing the underutilization of their characters in the Barbie movie.
