While living in a Barbie world is fantastic, some still have to fight for their place in paradise. With the hype for the upcoming Barbie movie, Ryan Gosling continues to shrug off the critics by channeling his inner ken-ergy. Today we dive into the over the top and humorous ways Ryan Gosling has gotten into character as Ken.
Entering Barbie’s World
The Barbie Movie focuses a Barbie doll played by Margot Robbie who is expelled from Barbieland is expelled from the world for not being perfect enough. As the IMDB page puts it, “To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.”
Even though the Barbie was announced as far back as 2009, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s version wasn’t started until 2020, during the pandemic where the two collaborated on the script. The movie has many nods to the Mattel doll, but also Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and technicolor musicals with soundstages such as The Red Shoes and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
The Barbie movie features a star studded cast, not only does it star Margot Robbie, but also Issa Rae, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, and Ryan Gosling.
Ryan Gosling: He’s Just Ken
Now, Ryan Gosling has been facing some criticism as Ken. At 42, and some critics have come against his age as playing Ken. However, Gosling has been shrugging off the critics.
idk man ryan gosling as ken isnt giving what they thought it was. im genuinely terrified wtf is this?!?? pic.twitter.com/OJuiu7mjCc
— jackie brown (@jkyhcbll) April 5, 2023
I’m sorry he looks sooooo ugly . #NotMyKen 😂😂😭😭😭 https://t.co/LM4FpZMjGC
— Sailor Maricón (Zafiro) (@sailormaricon) April 9, 2023
In an interview with GQ Gosling states “this kind of clutching-your-pearls idea of, like, #notmyken. Like you ever thought about Ken before this?” Gosling continues “…Suddenly, it’s like, ‘No, we’ve cared about Ken this whole time.’ No, you didn’t. You never did. You never cared. Barbie never fucked with Ken. That’s the point. If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So your hypocrisy is exposed. This is why his story must be told.”
Pink Fever: Ryan Gosling on Finding His Inner Ken-ergy
What is Ken-ergy, exactly?
Ken-ergy is a way of life. Ken is Barbie’s boyfriend; he’s an accessory; he belongs to Barbie. Barbie is never Ken’s. While we are used to Gosling’s unhinged and humorous affirmations, he wasn’t always this confident. Even Gosling had his doubts about if he could do the role justice.
Gosling spoke on stage at the Barbie CinemaCon panel in Las Vegas last month. He later added that his co-star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig ultimately pulled the Ken-ergy. He spoke on his doubts as Ken: “up until this point, I only knew Ken from afar. I didn’t know Ken from within,” the star says. He continues, “I doubted my Ken-ergy. I didn’t see it.”
After he vaulted into his new role, Gosling embraced his inner Ken with a new look reflective of the character’s plastic nature. He jokes “I was living my life and the next thing I knew, I was bleaching my hair and shaving my legs and rollerblading on Venice Beach.”
Despite the Critics, Some Feel Gosling is Ken-tastic for the Role
Despite the criticism, there are still those who think Ryan embodies Ken-ergy perfectly.
i still can’t believe margot robbie is barbie and ryan gosling is ken like this is real life??? it’s my biggest wish come true
— 𓏲 αlexα 𓈒⁺ (@rebeltemptresss) June 1, 2023
The Ken doll is 61. @RyanGosling is a snack! He can do it!
— ericrimbert (@ericrimbert) June 1, 2023
Whether you agree Gosling has the Ken-ergy to play the role or he’s too old, Barbie is set to be a hit this summer. With a star studded cast, experts in the production team, and the viral comedic press junket that continues to raise the movie hype, it’s sure to be a fun time for hardcore Barbie fans and simply movie fans alike.
Barbie will premiere in theatres July 21, 2023.
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