Unveiling the Untold Drama: How Michael Cera's Agent Almost Derailed His Iconic Role as Barbie's Beloved Allan
Michael Cera's agent almost sabotaged his chance to play Barbie's beloved character Allan, but he ultimately insisted on a callback A crucial figure in the Barbie universe, Allan's role holds substantial significance
Summary
Michael Cera's manager almost prevented him from getting the role of Allan in the Barbie movie because he implied that Cera wouldn't want to travel to London for filming.
Cera had to reach out to director Greta Gerwig directly to secure the part, showing his eagerness to be a part of the film.
Cera's portrayal of Allan is crucial to the plot of the movie.
Barbie star Michael Cera recently shared a surprising difficulty he faced while securing the role of Allan. The movie, featuring Margot Robbie as Barbie, follows the beloved doll's journey to the real world in search of her owner, after her otherwise perfect life in Barbie Land is disrupted by a series of strange events. While most inhabitants of Barbie Land are different variations of Barbie and her boyfriend Ken, Allan, played by Cera, stands out as the only version of himself.
In a recently unveiled video recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, GQ approached Michael Cera to discuss his notable roles.
When the opportunity arose to be a part of the Barbie cast, Cera faced a hurdle with his manager. When asked about his availability to shoot in London, his manager hinted that Cera might not be interested in traveling for the production. Despite not wanting to "blow it," Cera had to reach out directly to Gerwig to secure the role. Read Cera's full statement below:
The casting for the Barbie movie came up at the last minute. My manager received a call to check if I was available for it. He then called me and said, "I received a call about this movie. It's the Barbie movie. Greta Gerwig is directing it and it's being filmed in London for about four months. So I told them you probably wouldn't be interested because you most likely wouldn't want to go to London." I was taken aback and immediately said, "What?! What do you mean? Call them back." He didn't completely ruin the opportunity, but he had managed their expectations by suggesting that I might not want to do it. I responded, "How can I not do it? I need to do it."
Allan is an Important Part of the Fabric of Barbie Land
: I managed to obtain Greta's email address, possibly through a mutual friend, and promptly reached out to her. Inquiring about a specific part, I asked, "May I take on that role?" To my surprise, she responded, "Let's hop on a Zoom call immediately. Here's the link. I'll be available there for the next hour." Consequently, she was already present on the Zoom call, casually mentioning, "Simply click the provided link when you're prepared." Subsequently, we engaged in a conversation, which swiftly led to the unfolding of events.
Allan's character eventually turned into an ongoing joke, overshadowed by a less popular doll within the Barbie family. A similar fate befell pregnant Midge (Emerald Fennell). Nonetheless, Allan's connection with the Kens turns out to play a crucial role in the movie's storyline.
Allan, a wallflower in Barbie Land, keenly observes the happenings around him as he is mostly overlooked by others. This unique position grants him valuable insight into the significant transformation that his world undergoes when Ken returns from the real world and shares knowledge about the patriarchy. Due to his lack of allegiance to the dismissive Kens, Allan becomes a crucial ally for the Barbies in their struggle to preserve their world.
Had it not been for Michael Cera, Allan's purpose in Barbie might have been quite ambiguous and unclear. The actor skillfully utilized his well-known screen persona as an awkward and clumsy individual, presenting a recognizable version of himself to audiences. However, as the movie progressed, he cleverly subverted his persona, adding depth and complexity to his character. Without the years of Cera's performances in similar roles, which laid the foundation for this transformation, Allan's role in the movie would have been significantly less impactful.
Source: GQ
