Oscar Winner Oliver Stone Tracks Back on Barbie Comments, Apologizes to Greta Gerwig After Disgusting Remark to Ryan Gosling
Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone admitted that he spoke too soon about Barbie. He took back what he said and issued an apology on social media for his misstatement without even watching the movie. During an interview, with City AM in 2022 Stone called out the live-action movie a stupid movie and a waste of time.
He also mentioned that Ryan Gosling should not have chosen to waste his time on a fantasy movie rather than working on something “serious” that contributes to the cinema. His comment gained a lot of attention online, but later Stone clarified made the comments “before the film even came out.”
What changed Oliver Stone’s heart?
As per Entertainment Weekly, in a statement posted to social media, Oliver Stone clarified that his original remarks were made “before the film even came out” when he had limited knowledge of the project.
After viewing Barbie in theaters himself in July 2022, Stone said he “appreciated the film for its originality and its themes” and found the filmmakers’ approach “certainly different than what I expected.”
Stone’s initial inflammatory quotes had spread rapidly across social media last year and were decried by many as sexist, given Gerwig’s status as one of few female directors helming a major studio film.
Both Stone and Gerwig are acclaimed, Oscar-winning directors with distinct storytelling styles. While Stone is best known for politically provocative dramas, Gerwig has emerged as a fresh, female voice in Hollywood accustomed to putting her own spin on familiar stories.
Oliver Stone issues an apology to Greta Gerwig
Stone went on to acknowledge that he had spoken “ignorantly” about Gerwig’s film and wanted to make amends.
“I apologize for speaking ignorantly,” he wrote. “Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film Lady Bird was one of my favorites of that year. Barbie’s box office greatly boosted the morale of our business, which was welcome.”
The director wrapped up his statement by wishing Gerwig and the Barbie team “good fortune at the Oscars,” where the film was nominated for Best Picture.
Some may continue questioning if Stone’s apology goes far enough after his strongly-worded initial criticism. But the director appears to earnestly regret his comments, hence clarifying his evolving perspective after seeing for himself what Gerwig achieved with the film.
Oliver Stone longs for return to meaningful cinema
Stone didn’t just take aim at Barbie; he criticized the prevalence of fantasy franchises and spectacle-driven blockbusters that now dominate Hollywood. The director lamented stars like Ryan Gosling starring in fluff when they could leverage their fame to make serious, socially-engaged films instead.
As Stone put it, “Ryan Gosling is wasting his time if he’s doing that sh– for money. He should be doing more serious films. He shouldn’t be a part of this infantilization of Hollywood. Now it’s all fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, including all the war pictures: fantasy, fantasy.”
Stone criticized mega franchises such, as Fast and Furious. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, states that they rely heavily on action and visual effects rather than exploring meaningful themes. As an Academy Award winner known for directing dramas like Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July Stone clearly yearns for the era when studios invested in thought-controversial films.
