Actor Simu Liu plays one of many different Ken characters, in addition to Ryan Gosling, in the upcoming live-action Barbie film. Now Liu has opened up to say that Barbie will put the “final nail in the coffin” regarding the idea of gender.
Specifically, as he explains to ScreenRant, he discusses that the film breaks up the barrier regarding the “heteronormative idea of what gender is.” As he explains, both colors and toys become gendered for children at a small age, and this film goes against that.
Here’s what Liu shared while also speaking about his own personal history:
“I didn’t really have a relationship with Barbie in the past, you know? I don’t know about you, but I grew up in a society where traditional gender norms were pretty heavily enforced and were pretty prevalent. [We] were taught from a very young age, ‘Boys don’t play with that,’ and, ‘Boys don’t wear pink.’ Colors became gendered; toys became gendered — all of these rules were imposed on us. And so, Barbie was not my toy. That’s, like, on the other team.
“I’m so glad this movie exists, because I really think it just puts that final nail in the coffin of this very heteronormative idea of what gender is and what is or is not gendered. How can you make a color gendered, you know? Over the course of this movie, I’ve seen, been around, worn, and played with more pink than I ever thought possible. And it was so great — it’s so great to be free to express yourself in all of the ways that you feel like you want to. Not to feel like, because something is attributed to a certain gender or a certain idea, you can’t also do that. That’s, I think, what’s really struck me about being a part of this movie. That’s what’s involved in my understanding of Barbie and what it is, and what I hope that audiences will get from it when they watch the movie.”
Indeed, Barbie seems to be going against many different norms and archetypes, not just gender. As such, it’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the world responds to the film. For now, it’s great knowing that the cast and crew had such a fun time making the movie, and it certainly looks like it’s gearing up for a big weekend at the box office.
Barbie was directed by Greta Gerwig, who also co-wrote the film’s script with her partner Noah Baumbach. Margot Robbie will also produce the film via LuckyChap along with Tom Ackerley. Mattel’s Robbie Brenner and David Heyman for Heyday Films will also produce. LuckyChap’s Josey McNamara and Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz are attached to the project as executive producers.
In addition to Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film’s ensemble cast also includes Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Hari Nef, and Will Ferrell.
Fans will be able to see Barbie on the big screen on July 21, 2023. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates regarding the film as we have them.