Margot Robbie has played Harley Quinn, Tonya Harding, Queen Elizabeth -- what icon is left? One of the most popular dolls there is, Barbie.
The actress has been attached to star as the first live-action Barbie since October. Now per Variety, it's officially happening and marks Mattel Films' first project. The toy brand's new film division is collaborating with Warner Bros. and Margot Robbie's production company LuckyChap Entertainment for Barbie's first big screen outing.
The blonde-haired beauty certainly will have no problem passing off as the plastic doll and her tried-and-true acting chops has the potential to bring some dimension to her image. Margot Robbie is also co-producing the Barbie movie alongside producers Tom Ackerley who she worked alongside in I, Tonya and Josey McNamara from her film Terminal.
While plot details for the live-action film have yet to be announced, a statement by Warner Bros. chairman Toby Emmerich said they hope to bring Barbie to life on screen in a way that will be "fresh" and "relevant" to today's audiences.
Margot Robbie also characterized her new role as one that "promotes curiosity and communication throughout a child's journey to self-discovery" along with saying that she believes the film will have a "positive impact on children and audiences worldwide." The film looks like it will aim to be empowering to a young audience.
Plans for a live-action Barbie movie was originally announced in 2014 by Sony, who cast Amy Schumer in the lead role. Schumer was to play an "imperfect" Barbie who is exiled from Barbieland for not fitting in with the other dolls. The comedian had to drop out of the project due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Anne Hathaway.
When Mattel Films recently formed, the companyy took back the rights to the Barbie property and decided to develop the project on their own. So we will not see Anne Hathaway in the role and the movie has likely changed from the original plot, but the Barbie movie is now completely on track with Mattel Films and Warner Bros.
Margot Robbie has a strong working relationship with Warner Bros. as Harley Quinn in 2016's Suicide Squad and in the character's upcoming return in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) alongside other femme fatales. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is playing Huntress and Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary in the film set for a 2020 release.
The actress recently wrapped playing Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and is attached to play alongside Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron in a film about the Fox News former president's sexual misconduct allegations, and the women who decided to take him on.
Her role as Barbie will be a change of pace for the actress and introduce her to a younger audience, since she's not starred (physically anyway) in a movie targeted to children.
No word yet about filming details or a release date for the live-action Barbie film, but check out all that 2019 has in store at the movies with our release guide.
