In the world of fashion, friendship, and iconic dolls, the highly anticipated Barbie movie brings the beloved Mattel toy line to life on the big screen. With a star-studded cast that includes familiar faces and rising talents, this upcoming movie promises to enthral audiences of all ages.
The film features all sorts of characters, from powerful judges to determined journalists and mermaids. So, let’s dive right into discovering the talented actors and characters who breathe life into this timeless tale.
Margot Robbie as Barbie
In the upcoming Barbie movie, Margot Robbie portrays the central character of Barbie, also known as the exiled doll. The exact reason Robbie’s Barbie was cast out from Barbieland remains unknown. But there is speculation that her fellow Barbies conspired against her due to feelings of jealousy towards her appearance.
Not only is Robbie taking on the lead role of Barbie in the movie, but she is also involved as one of the film’s producers. Robbie is widely recognized for her notable portrayal of Harley Quinn in various DC movies, including The Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey. Additionally, she has showcased her acting prowess in acclaimed films such as The Wolf of Wall Street, About Time, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Ryan Gosling as Ken
In the vibrant world of Barbieland, just like Barbie, there exist multiple variations of Ken. The talented actor Ryan Gosling brings one of these iterations to life. However, what sets Gosling’s portrayal of Ken apart from the other versions is that he assumes the role of Barbie’s love interest.
Ryan Gosling, an acclaimed A-list actor, has made a name for himself through his remarkable performances in films such as The Gray Man, The Notebook, and La La Land.
Kate McKinnon as Gymnast Barbie
Kate McKinnon takes on the role of a gymnast-inspired version of Barbie. Revealed through her character poster, McKinnon’s portrayal of the iconic Mattel toy showcases a Barbie adorned with marker drawings on her face and sporting a unique haircut, adding a touch of quirkiness to the character.
McKinnon, a talented comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member, brings her comedic expertise to the role. With notable performances in films like Bombshell and The Spy Who Dumped Me, McKinnon has demonstrated her ability to deliver humour and charm viewers with her versatile acting skills.
Issa Rae as President Barbie
Issa Rae also plays Barbie, but with a twist: she’s a version of the doll who has been elected as the president of this enchanting realm. While it remains uncertain whether Rae’s Barbie is the one responsible for ordering Robbie’s Barbie into exile, there’s a possibility that she either opposes the decision or is being manipulated by other Barbies.
Issa Rae’s 2023 schedule is filled with exciting projects, as she also lends her voice to the character of Jessica Drew in Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. She’s proven her remarkable talent in previous notable films such as The Lovebirds, Little, and Vengeance.
Hari Nef as Doctor Barbie
Hari Nef portrays a unique iteration of the iconic doll as a doctor. Nef is an accomplished actress and model. She is widely recognized for her breakthrough lead role in Sam Levinson’s Assassination Nation. Her talent and skills have also been boasted in films like 1Up and Meet Cute.
Alexandra Shipp as Writer Barbie
Next, we have the role of a Barbie with a love of writing. And she’s played by none other than Alexandra Shipp. Shipp is known for her roles in various films and television shows. She was recognised for portraying the young Storm in the X-Men franchise, appearing in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and Dark Phoenix (2019).
Emma Mackey as Physicist Barbie
Emma Mackey is a physicist variation of Barbie. Fans have eagerly expressed their desire to see Mackey and Robbie share the screen, as many have noted their resemblance. While it’s not confirmed whether the two will be seen together frequently, they’re definitely together in one scene.
Mackey rose to prominence with her role as Maeve in the popular Netflix series Sex Education. Her portrayal of the confident and complex character earned her widespread acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
Sharon Rooney as Lawyer Barbie
A lawyer version of Barbie is also in the upcoming movie, and Sharon Rooney is playing it! Rooney gained widespread recognition for her breakout role as Rae Earl in the British comedy-drama series My Mad Fat Diary. Her talent and versatility also got her projects such as Sherlock, Bohemian Rhapsody, Brief Encounters, and The Capture, among others.
Dua Lipa as Mermaid Barbie
In the film, Grammy award-winning artist Dua Lipa is venturing into the acting world with her debut role as a Mermaid Barbie.
While already renowned for her musical accomplishments, Lipa’s acting skills will now be tested on the big screen. While she has previously made a guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, this marks her first major acting endeavor.
Nicola Coughlan as Diplomat Barbie
We also have a diplomat version of Barbie played by Nicola Coughlan in the film. Coughlan gained significant recognition for her role as Clare Devlin in the critically acclaimed comedy series Derry Girls. But many know her as Penelope Feathering from Bridgerton.
Ana Cruz Kayne as Judge Barbie
Ana Cruz Kayne will portray a judge variant of the doll on-screen. Kayne previously worked with Barbie movie director Greta Gerwig on Little Women. She is also known for her role as Heather in Jerry & Marge Go Large.
Ritu Arya as Journalist Barbie
Ritu Arya takes on the role of a journalist version of Barbie in the movie. She is best known for portraying Lila Pitts in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. Arya has also appeared in other television shows, such as Humans and Sherlock.
Kingsley Ben-Adir as Ken
Kingsley Ben-Adir will act as a different variant than Gosling’s Ken in Barbie. He is set to make his MCU debut in Marvel Studios‘ Secret Invasion series on Disney+ and has appeared in shows like The OA, Peaky Blinders, and One Night in Miami.
Simu Liu as Ken
Just like Ben-Adir, Simu Liu plays another iteration of Ken in Barbie. He gained recognition for his role as Shang-Chi in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He also gave a breakout performance as Jung Kim in Kim’s Convenience.
Scott Evans as Ken
Scott Evans, the younger brother of Chris Evans, portrays yet another Ken in the film. He has appeared in movies such as Before We Go, Playing It Cool, and The Lovely Bones.
Ncuti Gatwa as Ken
Ncuti Gatwa reunites with his Sex Education co-star Emma Mackey in Barbie as he takes on a different type of Ken. Gatwa is known for his role as Eric Effiong in the Netflix series Sex Education and is set to make his debut in the Doctor Who universe as the Fifteenth Doctor.
Connor Swindells as Toy Company Intern
It seems the Barbie movie is full of Sex Education actors! We have Connor Swindells join the cast as a toy company intern. He might be an actual human and not a doll in the movie. He has also appeared in other television shows such as Harlots and Jamestown. Swindells was also part of movies VS. and The Vanishing.
Michael Cera as Allan
Michael Cera’s role in Barbie has been teased in the latest trailer, but specifics about his character are still under wraps. Allan, the character Cera plays, is a discontinued doll from Mattel. He is also Ken’s actual friend. Cera is known for his roles in Superbad, This is the End, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Helen Mirren as The Narrator
Helen Mirren plays the role of the Narrator in Barbie. You can hear her in the trailer! Mirren’s character could be the older version of Robbie’s lead character. So, she might be sharing the story of crossing both Barbieland and the human world. Mirren has recently appeared in films such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Fast X.
Jamie Demetriou as Toy Company Employee
Jamie Demetriou, known for his role in Fleabag, appears highly professional in his poster for Barbie. The poster describes his character as “a suit,” indicating that he portrays a serious and business-oriented Mattel executive in the film.
Emerald Fennell as Midge
What’s Barbie without Midge? Emerald Fennell, the screenwriter of Promising Young Woman, performs this important role. Midge is based on the 2002 version of the doll, who was depicted as pregnant. This sparked controversy at the time as some parents believed that the doll’s condition promoted teen pregnancy. Fennell is known for her roles as Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown and Elsa in The Danish Girl.
Will Ferrell as The Toy Company CEO
Will Ferrell takes on the role of the CEO of the toy company that produces the dolls, including Barbie and Ken. His character might be the movie’s antagonist. Ferrell has appeared in numerous comedy films, such as Elf, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
John Cena as Mermaid Ken
John Cena portrays the long-haired Mermaid Ken in Barbie. After becoming Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad, Cena works with Robbie again in this film. Cena has also appeared in the Fast & Furious movies and Bumblebee.
Confirmed Barbie Cast Members with Indefinite Roles
While we have been introduced to most of the cast and characters in the Barbie movie, some cast members still have roles yet to be revealed. Here are a few currently unknown to us!
America Ferrera
America Ferrera’s role in Barbie is still unknown. However, the poster reveals she’s playing a human character in the movie. Ferrera rose to fame for her work in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
Rhea Perlman
Rhea Perlman’s role in Barbie isn’t confirmed yet. But the American comedian and actress, known for her role as Carla Tortelli on Cheers, has expressed excitement about the movie. Perlman’s performance on Cheers earned her four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Ariana Greenblatt
While we don’t know what Ariana Greenblatt’s role is in Barbie, we do know that she’s playing a human character. Greenblatt has appeared in films like Love & Monsters and Avengers: Infinity War, where she portrayed young Gamora.
Marisa Abela
Marisa Abela’s role in Barbie has not been revealed. So, who knows whether she could be another variation of Barbie or a human character? The actress is recognised for her work in Industry, Rogue Agent, and She is Love.
Summing Up
With that, the curtains draw to a close on our exploration of the Barbie movie’s remarkable ensemble cast. There’s no denying we eagerly anticipate witnessing the incredible talent and diverse characters that will grace our screens.
From Ana Cruz Kayne’s portrayal of the judge variant of Barbie to Ritu Arya’s role as the journalist doll, the cast promises to breathe life into these iconic characters with their unique interpretations.
While some cast members’ roles remain shrouded in mystery, the anticipation only adds to the excitement surrounding this much-anticipated film. The magic of the Barbie movie unfolds on July 21.
