Ryan Gosling on upcoming 'Barbie' movie: 'There's always been a Ken in me'
When Ryan Gosling was first revealed that he would take on the role of Barbie's boyfriend Ken for the upcoming film Barbie, the Canadian actor was quick to get the attention of netizens.
With his bleached blond hair, denim vest, customized underwear, and sexy tanned abs, Gosling seemed well-prepared for the role.
And he is.
In an interview with MTV News, Gosling said that having to play the iconic doll's boyfriend was a "cathartic" feeling for him.
"There's always been a Ken inside of me. It's the role I was born to play. I've had this 'Ken-ergy', and the 'Ken-ergy is alive in me now," he said while sharing a chuckle with MTV News's Josh Horowitz.
Ken? 😳 Complete with blonde hair and six-pack abs, Ryan Gosling transforms into the live-action Ken for his character in the film ‘Barbie’ starring Margot Robbie. (📸: Warner Bros. Pictures)#Ken #Barbie pic.twitter.com/x9rrqDlBEv
— PhilSTAR L!fe (@philstarlife) June 16, 2022
While much of the film's details is still being kept under wraps, Gosling teased in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that the version of Ken he will be playing is a complete low-life, comparing it to his spy character in the recently released The Gray Man.
"Ken life is even harder than the ‘Gray Man’ life, I think. Ken’s got no money, he’s got no job, he’s got no car, he’s got no house. He’s going through some stuff," Gosling said.
Meanwhile, Mattel Chief Executive Officer Ynon Kreiz told CNBC that the upcoming Barbie film is a going to be a "cultural event".
"Barbie is very much more than a toy and more than a doll. Barbie is a cultural icon, a pop icon. And this movie is really shaping up to be what we believe, would become a societal moment. The approach that is very different, very unique, not something that you’ve seen before, is going to be very exciting," Kreiz said.
Barbie is set to premiere in theaters on July 21, 2023. Alongside Gosling, the film will also feature the talents of Margot Robbie as the titular character and Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, and Will Ferrell in undisclosed roles.