But there were even more familiar faces that almost joined the cast. 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.
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."
Ben Platt. Barbie's casting director, Allison Jones, told Vanity Fair that there were a few actors the team had in mind to play Kens that fell through, including Ben Platt. "They were, I'm not kidding, really bummed they couldn't do it," Jones she told the outlet of the list that included Bowen Yang and Dan Levy.
Among those that were close to playing Kens were Emmy Award-winning SNL comedian Bowen Yang, Schitt's Creek and The Idol actor Dan Levy, as well as Dear Evan Hansen star Ben Platt.
The search for the perfect Barbie and Ken actors in Greta Gerwig's record-breaking blockbuster “Barbie” fell to casting directors Lucy Bevan and Allison Jones, who recently revealed to Vanity Fair that “Saturday Night Live” Emmy nominee Bowen Yang, “Schitt's Creek” Emmy winner Dan Levy and “Dear Evan Hansen” Tony ...
Barbie Casting Director Reveals Which Stars TURNED DOWN Ken Roles | E! News
Who was offered the role of Ken?
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.
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."
Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang, Schitt's Creek's Dan Levy, and Dear Evan Hansen's Ben Platt were in the running when the Greta Gerwig-helmed film was starting to round up its cast. Courtesy Warner Bros. "They were, I'm not kidding, really bummed they couldn't do it," casting director Allison Jones said.
And that meant Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, and Ben Platt were out of the running to play Ken. “They were, I'm not kidding, really bummed they couldn't do it,” she said.
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.
Barbie went on to date a hip-hop-loving Australian boogie boarder named Blaine. Two years after calling it quits, Ken attempted to win Barbie back by getting a makeover.
Dan Levy, Ben Platt, Bowen Yang, Luke MacFarlane, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Jonathan Groff, Gal Gadot, Amy Schumer, and Anne Hathaway were all considered for roles in Barbie, but all had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts or creative differences.
According to Jones, COVID-19 restrictions at the time meant having to spend three months in London where a great deal of the movie was filmed. And that meant Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, and Ben Platt were out of the running to play Ken.
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.
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.
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.
While Ryan Gosling never had any reservations about tackling the role of Ken in the highly anticipated Barbie film (as the actor once said, “His story must be told”), it seems his children didn't always feel the same way.
Weird Barbie, portrayed by Kate McKinnon, is seen as a shaman figure and the keeper of everyone's hidden weirdness, bringing an asymmetrical and messed up side to Barbie's perfect image.
Ryan Gosling's role in Barbie was one of his highest-paying yet, earning him $12.5 million. Despite not playing the title character, Gosling's salary matching Margot Robbie's for Barbie shows the value of his performance and his importance to the film's marketing.
She added, "I saw that video and thought he must be a great guy. And Ken needs to be played by a good guy because you are gonna be directed by a female director and some movie stars might not be cool with that. You must be secure in your masculinity to go on the Barbie ride the way Ryan did."
He made a particularly wise choice back in 2009, when he turned down the role of Green Lantern, which Ryan Reynolds then said yes to. Unfortunately for the Deadpool actor, Green Lantern wasn't exactly a smash hit and the actor himself has even admitted it's not his finest work.
In a Teen Vogue interview, Robbie remarked, "I produced the film, so I guess I cast myself." As a producer, Robbie didn't go through a formal audition process for the Barbie role.
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.
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.
