Director Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” will feature a star-studded cast, including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the titular roles of Barbie and Ken. The ensemble was announced today in a new trailer, accompanied by a poster format that depicted each cast member and their job in the Barbie world in which the film is set.
Character posters for ‘Barbie.’ pic.twitter.com/iRGW5sRx9y
— Pop Base (@PopBase) April 4, 2023
The posters for each cast member’s character show them propped against a colorful background that is labeled with their profession. Additionally, Barbie dolls notoriously come in a wide variety of costumes, while most Ken dolls come the same, thus Gosling’s character poster quite literally reads that “he’s just Ken.” Some feel that the film’s vague plot line will likely tackle a deeper message against its colorful and childlike backdrop.
still thinking about how ryan gosling said in an interview that he decided to do barbie because it was "the best script he had ever read"
— rachel syme (@rachsyme) April 4, 2023
The format of poster has inspired fans of Gerwig’s films and the actors involved in the project to edit themselves in. After all, it seems that Barbie really can be anything. Some are using the template to post empowering messages, and others are crafting lighthearted memes.
Oh, this is fun! #Barbie pic.twitter.com/QO4LHeZVGr
— Daric L. Cottingham, M.A. (@DaricCott) April 4, 2023
BARBIE CALL ME pic.twitter.com/iUZJUBuidS
— MATTY MATHESON (@mattymatheson) April 4, 2023
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Others are taking to Twitter to share the template being placed over iconic TV show characters, musicians, and politicians.
He's just Ken. pic.twitter.com/KB4HUzBRKQ
— (closed) (@cronencunt) April 4, 2023
srry can’t talk, addicted to making political Barbie posters???? pic.twitter.com/WXyejv0P7a
— Annie Wu (all socials: @annie_wu_22) (@Annie_Wu_22) April 4, 2023
starting a thread of Harry Barbie memes ‘cause no one beats harry when it comes to babygirlism! pic.twitter.com/DNEcr6Fkma
— paean (@johnlockrry) April 4, 2023
this Barbie thinks your meme is derivative pic.twitter.com/7PEfABUTgf
— Annaliese????who is 5’1 (@AHHHnnaliese) April 4, 2023
Elsewhere, some took note of popular television and film storylines that included a female character carrying the show and fulfilling several roles while a mediocre male character continuously receives praise. Notably, a meme about the popular book-to-television adaptation “Daisy Jones & The Six” received thousands of likes.
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she's everything he's just ken pic.twitter.com/J0n65WvYSE
— no context daisy jones & the six (@djatsnocontxt) April 4, 2023
Others pointed out the absurdity of the memes trending alongside former President Donald Trump’s arraignment in Manhattan, New York today. Social media is commemorating what just might go down as one of the strangest days in pop culture history.
If on this, the day of Trump’s arrest and Barbie memes, you had something to roll your eyes over or complain about, i really want you to look inward and take stock
— Chris Murphy (@christress) April 4, 2023
As of now, “Barbie” will allegedly focus on Margot Robbie’s character being evicted from “Barbieland” and forced to fend for herself in the real world. The mysterious film hits theaters on July 21.
