THR has reported that Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is in negotiations to join Margot Robbie in the Barbie movie. The Warner Bros. movie has been in development for some time, but finally seems to be moving forward with production expected to kick off soon.
Margot Robbie will be starring as Barbie alongside Ryan Gosling as Ken. Exactly who Simu Liu will be playing in the Barbie movie is being kept under wraps, but he joins a cast that already includes America Ferrera. Greta Gerwig (Little Women) will direct the film based on a script she co-wrote with Noah Baumbach. Robbie has previously teased that the Barbie movie won’t be quite what we’re expecting.
Something like Barbie where the IP, the name itself, people immediately have an idea of, “Oh, Margot is playing Barbie, I know what that is,” but our goal is to be like, “Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different – the thing you didn’t know you wanted.
“Now, can we truly honor the IP and the fan base and also surprise people?” Robbie continued. “Because if we can do all that and provoke a thoughtful conversation, then we’re really firing on all cylinders.“ In addition to starring, Margot Robbie will also producing the project via her LuckyChap banner alongside LuckyChap’s Tom Ackerley, Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner, and Paddington’s David Heyman.
A sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was announced late last year with Destin Daniel Cretton returning to write and direct. “Destin is an amazing collaborator who brought a unique perspective and skill to Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. We had a fantastic time working together on the film and he has so many intriguing ideas for stories to bring to life on Disney+, so we’re thrilled to expand our relationship with him and can’t wait to get started,” said Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige when the sequel was announced.