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.
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years Here are some memorable photos of actress Margot Robbie through the years. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2009: Actress Margot Robbie arrives for the 51st TV Week Logie Awards at the Crown Towers Hotel and Casino on May 3, 2009, in Melbourne, Australia. (Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2010: TV personality Margot Robbie arrives at the 52nd TV Week Logie Awards at Crown Casino on May 2, 2010, in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2011: Actress Margot Elise Robbie arrives at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 7, 2011, in Beverly Hills, California. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2013: Margot Robbie attends "The Wolf of Wall Street" premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 17, 2013, in New York City. (Rob Kim/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2014: Margot Robbie attends the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion" Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2014, in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2015: Actors Will Smith (left) and Margot Robbie attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Focus" at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015, in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2016: Actors Viola Davis, Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto celebrate the Premiere of "Suicide Squad" with Samsung at Beacon Theatre on August 1, 2016, in New York. (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Samsung)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2017: In this Dec. 5, 2017, photo, Margot Robbie, a cast member in "I, Tonya," poses for a portrait in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2018: In this Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, file photo, actress Margot Robbie poses for photographers upon her arrival at the premiere of the film "Mary Queen of Scots," in London. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP, File)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2019: Margot Robbie attends Sony Pictures' "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood" Los Angeles premiere on July 22, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2020: Margot Robbie attends the 92nd annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 9, 2020, in Hollywood, California. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2021: Margot Robbie attends the 93rd annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Margot Robbie through the years 2022: Margot Robbie attends the Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 25, 2022, in Paris. (Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images for Chanel)