Ryan Gosling Was Not the Original Ken, Casting Director Reveals Actors Who Sadly Lost Major Role in ‘Barbie’
Ryan Gosling is winning hearts with his performance in the highly anticipated summer release Barbie. The actor plays Ken, the lover of Margot Robbie’s Barbie, in the film. Greta Gerwig’s helmed film made its way to the theaters and is performing exceptionally at the box office. The film is giving a tough fight to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
Barbie has a magical effect that permeates every aspect of life, from dominating online and physical shopping sites to becoming an internet superstar. The film had already daubed the entertainment industry with pink. Fans have loved the La La Land star’s portrayal of Ken. They believed that Gosling was the ideal match for Barbie because he provided a particular kind of Kenergy. However, a recent interview with the casting director reveals how Ryan Gosling was not the ideal Ken, as many actors were offered the role.
Ryan Gosling’s Ken role was offered to various actors
The highly anticipated film of 2023, Barbie recently landed in theaters. The film, directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is expected to be one of the biggest blockbuster hits in 2023. Fans are loving the live-action adaptation of their favorite plastic dolls Barbie and Ken. They have called Robbie the perfect Barbie of Hollywood. Even Gosling’s portrayal of Ken is adored by fans as they believe he has a particular Kenergy.
However, Allison Jones, the casting director for the box-office-smashing movie, revealed certain stars also had the Kenergy. She added that the Kens could have been an entirely different group of guys. Jones revealed the 42-year-old actor’s role was offered to some other talented actors from the industry. Dan Levy from Schitt’s Creek, Ben Platt from Dear Evan Hansen, and Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang, almost appeared as Kens in Barbie.
The casting director said, “They were, I’m not kidding, really bummed they couldn’t do it.” The three months of on-site filming in London made it impossible for the three actors. Along with actors eyeing Ken’s part, a list of others were considered to play Michael Cera, Ken’s friend, in Barbie.
Apart from Ryan Gosling, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Scott Evans, Simu Liu, and Ncuti Gatwa, appear as different versions of Ken in the film.
Margot Robbie Helped Ryan Gosling to Bring Out His Kenenrgy
As soon as the Barbie movie trailer was made public, Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of Ken became the buzz in Hollywood. The actor went through a dramatic change for his part, and that can be summed up by his bleached hair, an excessive amount of fake tan, and washboard abs. The Notebook star, in an interview, discussed how he prepared for the much-anticipated role of Ken.
Gosling even pointed out that he was bribed by his co-star Margot Robbie during the filming of the Greta Gerwig movie. The actress wanted the La La Land actor to play Ken in the fantasy movie. She used to send him gifts inspired by his character. He remembered how Robbie helped get him into the Ken spirit.
Barbie is currently running in theaters worldwide. The film has broken the domestic opening record of Wonder Woman by earning $155 million.
Also Read: “Got robbed”: Disappointed Harry Potter Star Calls Out ‘Barbie’ Makers Over Ryan Gosling’s Ken Role
Source: Vanity Fair
