Yeah, you really aren’t gonna see this one coming
For all intents and purposes, Ryan Gosling is the perfect choice to play Ken, himbo boyfriend of the iconic doll and children’s toy Barbie, in a film adaptation.
He’s blonde, muscular and unnervingly attractive, with a degree of facial symmetry that even plastic surgeons would be envious of.
But it turns out Ryan Gosling himself was not so instantly sure about taking the part.
In fact, he had to see a weird sign to seal the deal. Some would call it a sign from God. Or, you know, Mattel Inc.
In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Gosling revealed that the ‘Barbie’ movie script, written by Greta Gerwig, of Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019), and Noah Baumbach, of Marriage Story (2019) was the “best script I’ve ever read.”
But that wasn’t enough. Oh no. The real thing that cemented Gosling’s decision to take on the role of Ken was much more strange and… muddy.
In the TV interview, Gosling talks about his daughter owning a Ken doll, and an experience he had after his conversation with the filmmakers where he was offered the part.
The star says: “I walk out into the backyard, and you know where I found Ken, Jimmy? Face down in the mud next to a squished lemon.”
After receiving the offer to play Ken in “Barbie,” Ryan Gosling walked into the backyard and found “[A Ken doll] face down in the mud next to a squished lemon. I texted [the photo] to Greta and said, ‘I shall be your Ken, for this story must be told.'”https://t.co/c1JLuF2Muf pic.twitter.com/yqyIc7cPJd
— Variety (@Variety) July 22, 2022
The unlikely apparition of a Ken doll in his backyard next to a squished lemon, which seems to hold some significance, was enough to seal the deal for Gosling.
He texted the picture to Gerwig, and the rest is history.
Unfortunately, fans of Gosling will have to wait to see him (and any potential squished lemons) as Ken for a while, seen as the ‘Barbie’ release date is currently set for July 21, 2023. Just less than a year away.
Until now, at least we have that picture to tide us over. Godspeed Ken.
Related links
- Simon Pegg brands Star Wars audience the most ‘toxic’ fan base he’s come across
- Resident Evil series is so ‘awful’ people want it removed from Netflix after just one week
- Ryan Gosling reveals the most dangerous stunt performed in The Gray Man
