The Unexpected Action Icon Who Influenced Barbie's Portrayal of Ken, Reveals Greta Gerwig

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Greta Gerwig, the director of the Barbie film, credits the significant influence of Sylvester Stallone on the depiction of Ken, incorporating his attire and specific moments from Stallone's movies that hold a special place in both Gerwig's and Ryan Gosling's hearts.

Ken's character in Barbie encompasses both toxic masculine stereotypes and extravagance, mirroring certain action roles played by Stallone. Particularly, Gosling's portrayal of Ken accentuates this exaggerated charisma.

Diverging from the usual action movie archetype, Ken in Barbie confronts his own masculinity and imperfections. This distinction sets him apart from Stallone's characters and introduces a captivating layer to the film's depiction of Ken.

Barbie director Greta Gerwig has shared the inspiration behind the character Ken in her film. Similar to Barbie's diverse collection of dolls, Ken is portrayed by various actors, including Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, John Cena, and Kingsley Ben-Adir.

According to Gerwig, one of the significant influences for Ken's depiction in Barbie was action star Sylvester Stallone. In an interview with People, Gerwig mentioned that Stallone's fashion choices and specific moments from his movies, which both Gosling and Gerwig admire, played a significant role in shaping Ken's character. Read Gerwig's full statement below.

Ryan Gosling has a deep admiration for Sylvester Stallone. We spent a considerable amount of time discussing and reflecting on this, both Gosling and myself. It was during these conversations that we realized the incredible impact Stallone had on Gosling's fashion choices, including his remarkable faux mink outfits.

When considering men who excel at adorning themselves, Stallone undoubtedly comes to mind as the ultimate example. I perceive Ken as a character who was constantly pursuing the perfect embellishment, and it was during this realization that we firmly concluded that Stallone was the ideal inspiration. We enthusiastically discussed the specific moments in his films that resonated with us deeply and left a lasting impression.

Why This Influence Makes Barbie’s Ken Even More Perfect

Ken is a compelling figure within Barbie's feminist narrative. Serving as Barbie's laid-back, long-distance partner, he occasionally takes a backseat to the more prominent female characters. However, Ken also falls into the harmful masculine stereotypes akin to action heroes by endorsing patriarchal norms when establishing Kendom. It is worth noting that this occurs within a film that remains focused on its female characters.

Ken, just like Stallone in action roles such as Rambo, is an extremely exaggerated character in the Barbie world. This exaggerated nature is particularly evident in Gosling's portrayal of Ken. Gosling's Ken takes on the role of "beach" and later leads the other Kens in his melodious ballad "I'm Just Ken," emphasizing their stereotypical blond fragility. While Barbie pushes the boundaries of satire, both Ken's shallowness and his excessively charismatic persona align him with action heroes like Stallone.

However, unlike typical action movies, Ken undergoes a transformative journey in terms of his masculinity in the Barbie universe. He begins to realize the flaws associated with patriarchal values and must confront his own exaggerated masculinity. This sets Ken apart from characters played by Stallone, whose hyper-masculine tendencies are never questioned. This exploration of masculinity in Barbie adds an even more intriguing dimension to Ken's character.

Source: People

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find the unexpected influence behind Barbie's Ken, as revealed by Greta Gerwig, to be both intriguing and thought-provoking. The idea of drawing inspiration from Sylvester Stallone, an iconic action star, to shape Ken's portrayal challenges traditional male stereotypes and adds a new layer of depth to the character.

The portrayal of Ken as a character who confronts his own masculinity and imperfections resonates with me as a member of Gen Z. In a world where traditional gender roles are constantly being challenged and redefined, it is refreshing to see a male character who is not afraid to embrace his vulnerabilities and flaws. This portrayal of Ken sends a positive message to young boys and girls, showing them that it is okay to be different and to step outside of societal expectations.