Margot Robbie ‘bribed’ Ryan Gosling into Barbie role with daily gifts

Virgin Radio

16 Jul 2023, 12:21

Who wouldn’t want to work on a movie set in a pink dream house with an infinity pool and an outdoor dancefloor?

Greta Gerwig’s long-awaited Barbie will finally be released in cinemas on 21st July 2023, five years after work began on the film.

Australian actress Margot Robbie plays the titular role and apparently, she was responsible for getting Ryan Gosling the part as her on-screen boyfriend, Ken.

The award-winning actors have worked together before on The Big Short (2015), a comedy-drama film that also starred Brad Pitt and Christian Bale.

In an interview with The New York Times, Robbie revealed that she “bribed” Gosling into getting involved with the film, which she helped to produce.

The 33-year-old joked: “That’s the basis of our relationship. ‘Just come do the Barbie movie, I’ll buy you a present every day.’”

The La La Land actor confirmed this by saying: “There was suddenly this pink present from Barbie to Ken, every day, for a very long shoot.”

Recalling the time he received a Puka shell necklace, Gosling added: “It felt unsustainable. I thought this has to stop at some point.

“[I said] ‘Thank you very much. You don’t have to keep doing this. I’m sure you have other things to do, like produce a movie or star in a movie, or run a company. And produce other people’s films.

“You don’t have to keep concerning yourself with this!’”

It turns out that Gosling isn't even the only actor that Robbie helped secure a role for in Barbie.

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk at the London premiere, Gavin and Stacey actor Rob Brydon explained that he believes his appearance in the movie is thanks to her.

“I think this came about because I had a message a few years ago that Margot Robbie was a big fan of Uncle Bryn and would I record a message for her birthday.

“So I recorded a video for her [and] I think maybe this part is her way of saying thank you.

“I said, ‘Hello Margot. I’ve loved you in all your films and I’ll tell you for why…’, so when I met her on set, she said, ‘Ah thank you so much for that message’, so that was quite nice.”

Discussing his short but sweet role as Sugar Daddy Ken, Brydon said: “My wife and I are in debate whether I’ll be in it for three seconds or four seconds. I mean, all modesty aside, it’s going to be very brief.

“I thought Sugar Daddy Ken had connotations but apparently it’s his dog who’s called Sugar and he’s the daddy.

“I was relieved to hear that,” the Welsh actor added.

Barbie will be released in cinemas on 21st July 2023.