Warner Bros. teases first image of Margot Robbie’s ‘Barbie’ movie character
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By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Millions of children have looked at Barbie as a role model since the doll was introduced by Mattel in March 1959. Next year, fans will be able to view the world’s most famous doll on the silver screen.
Warner Bros. teased its first image of Margot Robbie playing the iconic role of “Barbie,” which will be released on July 21, 2023.
The photo, which debuted during the studio’s CinemaCon presentation for movie theater owners, shows Robbie sitting behind the wheel of a pink Corvette, smiling while wearing a polka-dot headband and a blue-and-white halter top, USA Today reported. Naturally, Robbie’s blonde tresses tumble past her shoulders -- just like Barbie.
Ryan Gosling is set to star as Ken in the live-action movie, which will be directed by Greta Gerwig, CNN reported. Gerwig also wrote the screenplay.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to put some positivity out in the world and a chance to be aspirational for younger kids,” Robbie told Variety in a 2019 interview.
Robbie, 31, was nominated for an Academy Award for best actress for her portrayal of figure skater Tonya Harding in the 2017 movie, “I, Tonya.” Her breakthrough role came when she starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2013 film, “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 after Ruth Handler watched her daughter, Barbara, playing with paper cutout dolls, History.com reported. Handler, along with her husband Elliot Handler and their friend Harold Matson, started Mattel and marketed the doll, the website reported.
The Ken doll was named for Ruth Handler’s son, according to History.com.
By 1965 the Mattel Company was already making over $100 million in sales with various toys, the website reported.
Robbie will be seen on the big screen in December when she stars in the 1920s Hollywood drama “Babylon” with Brad Pitt, USA Today reported.