Summary
The Barbie movie had a cut post-credits scene featuring a cameo from Helen Mirren, who also narrated the film.
The scene would have enhanced the narrator's commentary by incorporating a meta element, acknowledging Mirren's esteemed reputation as an actress.
In addition, the omitted scene would have cleverly referenced an earlier Easter egg and provided Emerald Fennell, acclaimed for her role in Promising Young Woman, with increased screen time.
Unfortunately, a post-credits scene featuring an incredible cameo from Helen Mirren was cut from the Barbie movie. The scene, which showcased Margot Robbie's Barbie and Ryan Gosling's Ken embarking on a journey of self-discovery after facing an existential crisis, was narrated by Mirren herself. Throughout the film, Mirren also inserted meta jokes, including one about Robbie being a poor choice to portray an "ugly" version of Barbie. While the movie initially included this post-credits scene, it was eventually removed, depriving audiences of Mirren's physical appearance in the film. Here is an image of the deleted scene:
Shared by Tom Clark, a former dancer on Barbie, these images showcase a deleted scene depicting Mirren interrupting Midge during childbirth. Additionally, an image from Boris FX substantiates that this cut scene would have been presented in the final moments of the film's credits:
The Barbie Movie's Cut Post-Credits Scene Explained
Helen Mirren's appearance in Barbie's post-credits scene was a clever choice as it allowed the movie's narrator to be seen on-screen. In the scene, Mirren likely played herself, acknowledging her iconic status as an actress and adding another layer of depth to the narrator's meta commentary. Mirren, who has won an Academy Award for her performance in The Queen, is also the only performer to achieve both the American and British Triple Crowns of Acting.
Additionally, Barbie's cut credits scene, depicting Midge giving birth, pays off an earlier Easter egg. This references the controversial discontinuation of a doll version that portrayed Midge as a young mother, which sparked parental concerns. The scene also provides more screen time for Fennell, who is known for her work behind the camera. Fennell won an Oscar for writing the 2020 film Promising Young Woman, which, like Barbie, offers insightful social commentary on women's issues but with a distinct tone and style.
Source: Tom Clark/Instagram, Boris FX
