Greta Gerwig, the director of the record-breaking film “Barbie,” recently spoke about the movie’s success, the possibility of a sequel, and the criticism it received. In an interview with The New York Times, Gerwig revealed that she currently sees “Barbie” as a standalone film, stating, “At this moment, it’s all I’ve got.” She expressed the feeling of being at a creative crossroads after completing a movie, wondering if she will ever have another idea. However, she acknowledged that she wouldn’t want to hinder anyone else’s dreams of continuing the story.
“Barbie” had a massive debut weekend, grossing $162 million at the North American box office and breaking the opening weekend record for a female director. Gerwig was overwhelmed by the movie’s success, saying that she never imagined such an outcome and was delighted to see people embracing it, even going as far as wearing pink in support.
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The film has garnered praise for its inclusion of deeper issues such as sexism, female empowerment, and self-determination. While many viewers appreciated these themes, some conservative pundits criticized the movie for being “woke” and even reported burning their Barbie dolls in protest. Gerwig didn’t anticipate this reaction but hoped that the movie would serve as an invitation for everyone to enjoy it and find relief in its message.
Throughout the filmmaking process, Gerwig faced some disagreements with Mattel, the company behind Barbie. One scene in which a teenage human character criticizes Barbie dolls as sexist and fascist sparked a discussion with Mattel‘s COO and president, Richard Dickson. Although Gerwig didn’t get full approval for the scene, she managed to incorporate it in a way that Mattel accepted.
As Gerwig celebrated the success of “Barbie,” she humorously shared that her 4-year-old son had enough of the Barbiemania and made a pink cake with a ‘B’ on it, symbolizing a farewell to Barbie. While the future of “Barbie” as a franchise remains uncertain, the film’s impact on audiences and discussions about empowerment and gender representation cannot be denied. Gerwig’s ability to navigate creative differences with Mattel ultimately led to a movie that resonated with many viewers, making “Barbie” a landmark in her directing career.