Mattel executives really did not want a board member to get shot by an arrow in Barbie!

The world is filled with ironies and often, these ironies are a part of Hollywood people and films. Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and, Ryan Gosling’s Barbie is a prime example of the irony that we are talking about and no, it wasn’t the producers this time.

With a movie based on feminism and a satire on the patriarchy, Mattel executives had a really tough time letting Gerwig take full creative control of the project. As per a movie expert, the toy company tried to delete 3 integral scenes from Barbie including Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” sequence (which is completely unacceptable).
A still from Barbie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling

Mattel Executives Really Did Not Want Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” Sequence!

Being one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and, Ryan Gosling literally shined in their pink outfits and their satirical comments on patriarchy in Barbie. Based on the iconic toys from Mattel and Margot Robbie beating Leonardo DiCaprio in terms of earnings in 2023, the movie clearly surpassed everyone’s expectations but it might just have been Gerwig’s genius after all.

Ryan Gosling performing ‘I’m Just Ken.’
As per an Instagram reel, Alex from @thisweeksmovie talked about some scenes in the 2023 movie that were going to be cut by Mattel. Talking about how great the movie was, the movie expert shared that Mattel did not like some of the sequences shown in the movie and wanted to cut three scenes from Barbie which is very ironic considering the theme of the movie was… feminism.
“Mattel really tried to hack this thing to pieces. There were several scenes that they tried to get cut out. Apparently, executives wanted to cut the scene where Barbie tells the elderly woman at the bus stop that she’s beautiful. This lady is two-time Oscar winning costume designer Ann Roth. According to director Greta Gerwig, the executives just didn’t get it and felt the scene didn’t lead anywhere”
He further continued,
“If she didn’t fight for that scene, they would have cut it out. And the beach sequence would have been completely different as well. The executives really didn’t want a Mattel board member to get hit by an arrow. This was brought up multiple times apparently. And even worse, the entire “I’m Just Ken” dance sequence, which is arguably the best part of the movie, was in danger of being left out.”

Although the movie expert had quite some valid points to talk about and Zack Snyder allegedly competing with the film, another ironic thing is the amount of Oscar nominations that Barbie received. Here’s every Oscar nomination that the 2023 film received and what we think about a potential win for Barbie at the Oscars!

The Various Oscar Nominations That Barbie Received

With Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach set as the writers of the film, the 2023 film has received a total of 8 Oscar nominations. These nominations are good in number but not in what the film actually deserves, but you be the judge of that.

Greta Gerwig with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on the sets of Barbie
The 2023 film received Oscar nominations for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (I’m Just Ken & What Was I Made For?), Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (America Ferrera), Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Ryan Gosling), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Production Design, and, Best Achievement in Costume Design.

Although the decision rests with the committee, we personally think that some of these Oscars might go to other films. This year, it seems that Robert Downey Jr. could take the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Oppenheimer alongside Best Motion Picture of the Year. If Barbie were to win an Oscar, the 2023 film could potentially win for Best Achievement in Production Design and Best Achievement in Costume Design and of course, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures.

But that is just our opinion and people have different opinions all the time. So, do not worry if the decisions are changed, because in the end, it’s about cinema and the movies that they create and not the awards that they receive.