Growing up, virtually every little girl in the United States had at least one Barbie doll. The iconic platinum blonde doll is arguably one of the most iconic children’s toys to date with billions of Barbie dolls sold since their inception in 1959 which are still being sold in stores today. Barbie dolls have even adapted to the socioeconomic changes the country has experienced over this time period to make them more inclusive and representative of the young girls they are marketed towards, with Mattel, the company behind the dolls, now producing Barbie dolls of all colors, shapes and sizes. Now Warner Brothers is ready to bring Barbie to life, releasing the first official images of the upcoming live-action Barbie film with one of Hollywood’s favorite blondes in the titular role.
Barbie dolls have been in existence for over six decades now and don’t seem to be leaving the shelves anytime soon. Barbie serves as a prime example of that, though it isn’t the first Hollywood project based upon the doll either. We have seen a variety of animated Barbie films over the past few decades and even an animated Netflix series Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse which ran from 2012 to 2015, but now Barbie is ready to come to life. Warner Brothers is now producing the live-action film Barbie which will star none other than the esteemed Margot Robbie in the titular role, and she isn’t alone. Alongside Robbie, Barbie features a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, and Will Ferrell amongst several other notable names that only catalyze the project’s potential. We will just have to wait and see what Warner Brothers haas in store when Barbie makes its premiere in theaters in 2023.
Barbie dolls have existed in popular culture for well over half of a century now and their influence is undeniable. They have played an integral role in shaping the standards of beauty, for better or worse, for young ladies and have been at the center of controversy as a direct result. Mattel has responded to any and all controversy rather well though and have only further cemented the foothold Barbie dolls have come to possess amongst children’s toys. Now we get to see what Barbie is really like when the budding project makes its debut next year.
