It’s finally happening. After 60 years and numerous rumors and false starts, Barbie is finally coming to the big screen. Mattel and Warner Bros. Pictures announced plans to bring the Barbie franchise to life in a live-action film, with Academy Award-nominee Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad) as Barbie. This is the first project to come from Mattel Films, the new division led by Oscar-nominated producer Robbie Brenner, as announced last fall by Ynon Kreiz, newly-minted Chairman and CEO of Mattel.
“Playing with Barbie promotes confidence, curiosity and communication throughout a child’s journey to self-discovery,” says Robbie in a press release. “Over the brand’s almost 60 years, Barbie has empowered kids to imagine themselves in aspirational roles from a princess to president. I’m so honored to take on this role and produce a film that I believe will have a tremendously positive impact on children and audiences worldwide. I can’t imagine better partners than Warner Bros. and Mattel to bring this film to the big screen.”
Robbie will also co-produce the film under her LuckyChap Entertainment Banner, alongside Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara from LuckyChap Entertainment.
Coincidentally, it was Mattel who first produced action figures based on Robbie’s portrayal of Batman villain Harley Quinn a few years back. From film to toy and now toy to film, it all comes full circle.