Margot Robbie only got cast as Barbie after Amy Schumer quit the role
Topics: Amy Schumer, Barbie, Margot Robbie, Entertainment
Ben Thompson
Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros/Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Amy Schumer, Barbie, Margot Robbie, Entertainment
As the release date for the Barbie movie draws closer and following the drop of the latest trailer, fans are beside themselves with excitement.
Fans are also gearing up to see Margot Robbie as the iconic doll, with many proclaiming she's perfect for the role.
However, the Suicide Squad star was not always destined for the part.
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Up until 2017, it was comedian Amy Schumer who was signed up to step into the shoes of the iconic doll.
The film had been in development since 2009 when toy maker Mattel signed a partnership with Universal Pictures. However, when nothing came of the plans, it switched into the hands of Sony Pictures in 2014.
Schumer signed on for the titular role two years later as she also planned to write the movie's script.
The project wasn't to be however, as Schumer backed away from the gig four months later, which was reported as being due to scheduling conflicts.
It would only be five years later that the 41-year-old comedic actor explained the real story behind her departure.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Schumer claimed she was the 'wrong gal' for the job and that she'd run into creative differences with Sony over which direction to take the movie.
Schumer said: "The studio definitely didn't want to do it the way I wanted to do it. The only way I was interested in doing it."
Apparently, Schumer had been pushing for Barbie to be an inventor and was not happy when Sony suggested that she could create a pair of high heels made out of jelly.
The moment she knew she wanted out was when she was sent a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes by the studio to celebrate her casting being announced.
Reflecting, Schumer said: "The idea that that's just what every woman must want, right there, I should have gone, 'You've got the wrong gal'."
The film continued to linger in development hell, and was passed on to Warner Bros Studios in 2018.
Robbie was cast as the plastic bombshell in July 2019, with Greta Gerwig signed on as director two years later.
Many have expressed disbelief that Schumer was meant to be playing Barbie, as they cited Robbie as the perfect fit for the part.
One fan tweeted: "Absolutely no one else could have been cast as Barbie (Or Ken), I don't want to hear that Amy Schumer nonsense anymore."
Another tweeter wrote: "I can't believe the original plan for this film was to put Amy Schumer as the lead."
Barbie, set to be released in July 21, will feature a star-studded cast alongside Robbie, including Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell and Michael Cera.