Sylvester Stallone Made a Special Cameo in Barbie After Greta Gerwig and Ryan Gosling “Were Texting a Lot” About Him
Barbie director Greta Gerwig’s profound admiration for Sylvester Stallone, the iconic actor and filmmaker, is not a secret; in fact, it has significantly influenced the creative direction of the movie. Gerwig’s genuine fandom for Stallone is exemplified by the multiple pictures of him that found their way into the world of Barbie. One of the most notable instances of this influence is the transformation of Barbie into a character that embarks on a grueling journey from the doll world to the real world, with Sylvester Stallone serving as a source of inspiration.
What’s even more intriguing is that Greta Gerwig and actor Ryan Gosling, who plays the role of Ken in the movie, share a similar passion for Sylvester Stallone. Their mutual admiration for the action star brought them together, and they formed a close bond over their shared appreciation of Stallone’s work. This connection between the director and one of the lead actors, Gosling, is a testament to the power of fandom and shared interests in the world of filmmaking.
Sylvester Stallone’s Influence on Greta Gerwig’s Barbie
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie has swept the world, living up to high expectations. The film enthralls with its captivating story and explores Barbie’s complex history, revealing its evolving image, not always positively. One intriguing element in Gerwig’s Barbie is the transformation of Ken, played by the charismatic Ryan Gosling. Ken ventures beyond Barbieland into the patriarchal real world, discovering the allure of different aspects of human existence.
From the sharp corporate buildings to the sweaty gyms, Ken immerses himself in a world of diverse masculinity. Within these gym walls, posters of Rocky and Sylvester Stallone fuel Ken’s inspiration. Stallone’s charisma and iconic roles captivate Ken, and he aims to emulate various male figures, from presidents to cowboys, each representing different aspects of masculinity. Yet, it’s Stallone’s fur coat that solidifies Ken’s destiny, igniting a profound realization that sets his path in motion.
This revelation not only adds a layer of depth to Ken’s character in the film but also serves as a symbolic representation of the influence of Sylvester Stallone on the director, Greta Gerwig, and actor Ryan Gosling. The fact that Ken’s black bandana-wearing character is not merely a tribute to the Rocky franchise in a parallel universe, but rather a manifestation of the shared Stallone fandom between the director and Gosling in the real world, is a testament to the power of shared passions and creative inspiration.
Greta Gerwig and Ryan Gosling Formed a Connection Over Sylvester Stallone
Barbie director Greta Gerwig’s affection for Sylvester Stallone runs deep, so deep that she prominently featured multiple images of the iconic actor and filmmaker in her movie, Barbie. Gerwig revealed that her inspiration to draw style cues from Stallone stemmed from her shared conversations with the talented actor, Ryan Gosling. In fact, it was their mutual admiration for the action star, Sylvester Stallone, that played a significant role in cementing their bond. Gerwig told Uproxx,
“I love all those Rocky movies. I love him a lot. So it was a really early thing, actually. When Ryan Gosling and I were texting a lot, we kind of both stumbled upon our mutual love of Sly Stallone. And then we were talking about his look in the ‘70s and how terrific it was. And he really adorned himself as a man. And we thought, ‘Well, that’s a good place to start.’ I mean, there are just sort of fabulous images of him, particularly in the Rockys.”
Sylvester Stallone, with his impressive career and iconic roles, became something of a patriarchal role model in the world of Barbie, influencing not only the film’s visual aesthetics but also its underlying themes. His larger-than-life characters and dedication to his craft served as a source of inspiration for Gerwig and Gosling as they embarked on the creative journey of bringing Barbie to life.
