When actor Ryan Gosling first received the script for Barbie, he was shocked to see his name literally written into the pages as the role of Ken. But director Greta Gerwig had never actually approached Gosling about playing the part. As it turns out, this was just one of the cruel tricks Gerwig played on Gosling surrounding the film. Gosling recently opened up about his experience getting cast as Ken in Barbie during an interview with co-actor Margot Robbie. He admitted that when he first got his hands on the script, he was stunned to see his own name plastered throughout as the role of Barbie’s plastic partner.
How Did Ryan Gosling React to Seeing Himself Cast in the Barbie Script?
In an interview with W Magazine, Ryan Gosling opened up about his first impression of the role of Ken in the movie Barbie.
He said, “My first impression of Ken was the title page of the script which said Barbie and Ken, and then ‘and Ken’ was scratched out. And then the next (impression) was, this is the hardest part I’ll ever play.”
Margot Robbie said, “Did you really think that?”
Gosling admitted he was initially at a loss for how to approach playing the famous plastic doll. “How do you approach playing a 70-year-old crotchless doll? There’s no research you can do for that. There’s no one you can shadow. There’s no documentaries you can watch. There’s no books written about it. You’re on your own,” the actor said.
What Made Ryan Gosling Finally Accept the Part of Ken?
According to Gosling, he felt the universe gave him a sign that he was destined to play Ken after stumbling upon one of his daughter’s Ken dolls lying face down in the dirt in his backyard.
“I felt like I was seeing myself [when I saw the viral first look Ken photo]. I felt seen. I think a lot of Kens will feel seen when they see this. Gotta do it for the Kens. Nobody plays with the Kens,” Gosling told Variety.
After this strange coincidence, Gosling finally accepted Gerwig’s unspoken offer and agreed to bring Ken to life opposite Margot Robbie as Barbie.
Frequently asked questions
What trick did Greta Gerwig play on Ryan Gosling?
Greta Gerwig sent Ryan Gosling a Barbie script with his name already written throughout as Ken, without having formally approached him about the part first. The title page read Barbie and Ken, with the words and Ken scratched out, a playful signal about how the role was framed. Gosling only later decided to actually take on the character.
How did Ryan Gosling react to the Barbie role?
Gosling admitted the part felt daunting at first, joking about how you approach playing a 70-year-old crotchless doll and saying there is no research you can do for that, so you’re on your own. He felt there was little reference material to draw on, which made the prospect of embodying Ken feel overwhelming before filming began.
What changed Ryan Gosling’s mind about playing Ken?
Gosling said he found one of his daughter’s Ken dolls left face-down in the backyard dirt and took it as a sign. He described feeling like he was seeing himself in that discarded doll and predicted many Kens would feel seen watching the film, which helped him embrace the role in Gerwig’s Barbie.
