In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Barbie's casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan very casually revealed three other Hollywood A-listers who turned down the role of Ken: namely Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, and Ben Platt.
Daniel Levy, left, Bowen Yang and Ben Platt were considered for Ken roles in “Barbie.” “They were, I'm not kidding, really bummed they couldn't do it,” Jones told Vanity Fair. Jones, who cast Gerwig's Oscar-nominated “Lady Bird,” said she and Bevan started casting the film in the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
1 Anne Hathaway. After Amy Schumer dropped out, Sony wanted Anne Hathaway to play Barbie, so much that that studio even hired a writer to pen the screenplay to lure the actor in.
Amy Schumer was supposed to play Margot Robbie's Barbie character. Amy was cast as Barbie in 2016, but dropped out in 2017 due to creative differences. She told Andy Cohen last month, "I think we said it was scheduling conflicts. That's what we said, but it really was just creative differences."
Though Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir were among those that ended up making the cut as Ken dolls in Barbie alongside Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and more, the movie's casting directors revealed that there were a few others who had to bow out due to the cast having to spend three months filming in London.
Actors We Almost Saw Play Kens In The Barbie Movie
Who turned down playing Ken?
Matt Bomer turned down playing Ken in 'Barbie'. Despite auditioning to play the doll in Greta Gerwig's live-action blockbuster based on the famous Mattel dolls Barbie and Ken, the 46-year-old star rejected the part, “choosing not to spend extensive time away from his family."
In Greta Gerwig's just-released film, Greenblatt plays Sasha, an angsty Gen Z tween who lost interest in Barbies long ago and is the daughter of Gloria (America Ferrera). “She is a very layered girl,” Greenblatt says of her character.
The Big Picture. Director Greta Gerwig reveals that she saw Ryan Gosling's comedic talent on Saturday Night Live and knew he was perfect for the role of Ken in Barbie. Gosling's participation on SNL showcased his knack for comedy, particularly in sketches like "Papyrus" where he displayed his deadpan delivery.
Anne Hathaway was approached and was also meant to lead the role of Barbie after issues of creative differences emerged with Amy Schumer, but later the film was slated to release in 2020 according to the deadline and hence never worked out.
Schumer was originally cast as Barbie in 2016 but a year later she announced she was leaving the project, citing "scheduling conflicts." She explained the situation further during her chat with Cohen, admitting she actually left for a different reason. "I think we said it was scheduling conflicts," she revealed.
And then there's ex-pro wrestler-turned-actor John Cena, who also plays a Ken in “Barbie”: Merman Ken, or Kenmaid, to be exact. Talking to FM104 presenter Crossy, Margot Robbie said the cameo in the film happened entirely by chance.
Robbie is a producer on “Barbie” and did not immediately envision herself in the role. Gadot was at the top of her list, but scheduling conflicts prevented the “Wonder Woman” star from entering Barbieland.
Halle Bailey was the first to audition for the beloved and coveted role of Ariel in Disney's live-action “The Little Mermaid.” After Bailey belted out the classic showstopper “Part of Your World” from the original 1989 film, director Rob Marshall and the other filmmakers knew that she was the one for the role.
How Much Was Margot Robbie Paid For The Barbie Movie - IMDb. Margot Robbie's salary for the Barbie movie was reported to be $12.5 million, matching Ryan Gosling's pay to play Ken. Robbie's involvement in making the Barbie movie happen, along with her star power, explains her high salary.
The Barbie movie centers, of course, on its titular character played by Margot Robbie. But Ken (Ryan Gosling) plays an important role in the drama as he wrangles with the notion that he's long been an accessory in Barbie's dream life more than an equal partner.
Because of COVID constraints, Barbie's cast had to spend three months in London, where much of the movie was shot—a logistical factor, they say, that put performers like Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, and Ben Platt out of the running.
“Estoy orgullosa de ti,” he says, attempting to tell Barbie he is proud of her. He adds, “Sí se puede,” which doubles as a reference to Ferrera's 2002 Disney Channel movie, “Gotta Kick It Up!”
When Schumer announced she was leaving Barbie back in March 2017, she told Variety in a statement, "Sadly, I'm no longer able to commit to Barbie due to scheduling conflicts. The film has so much promise, and Sony and Mattel have been great partners. I'm bummed, but look forward to seeing Barbie on the big screen."
Greta Gerwig Insisted on Ryan Gosling to Play Ken in the Barbie Movie. He Was a Hard Sell. The Barbie director said “it was only ever Ryan Gosling” who could play Ken, but the actor wasn't immediately convinced.
Selena Gomez has a crush on Ryan Gosling. The 'Love You Like A Love Song' hitmaker - who has reportedly reconciled with Justin Bieber - hasn't yet met the 'Notebook' actor because she "freaked out" the last time she saw him.
Gosling has been in a relationship with his The Place Beyond the Pines co-star Eva Mendes since September 2011. The couple have two daughters, born in 2014 and in 2016. Gosling is supportive of various social causes.
