As the highest-grossing film of 2023, Barbie (2023) brought in almost $1.3 billion at the world box office. Furthermore, this was the highest ever achieved for a female director, who in this case, is Greta Gerwig. It is now one of the highest-grossing female films of all time. And this is with good reason; it was a film displaying the hardships of being a woman. And now, Mattel and Illumination are looking to create an animated film.
Why Will Barbie Be Animated?
While a concrete reason is yet to be revealed, there is some speculation as to why this is happening. As with most films, when it reaches the success Barbie did, many companies usually go for a sequel of sorts. In Barbie’s case, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling did not seem keen to return for a second installment. Furthermore, Gerwig is unlikely to return as the director.
From a business perspective, this seems like an opportunity lost. Therefore, it makes sense to capitalize on the success the film brought in other ways. Since Mattel owns the Barbie doll’s animation rights, there is still a path forward in terms of animation. Hiring Illumination could result in the launch of a largely successful animated movie franchise.
Looking at Illumination’s success so far, this would not be far-fetched. The animation studio has seen the release of some of the biggest cartoon franchises to date. This would include Despicable Me, The Lego Movie, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and more recently, The Super Mario Bros. Each of these films was a box office hit, and an animated Barbie film would, no doubt, see the same treatment and results.
Will Margot Robbie & Ryan Gosling Return?
As mentioned above, Barbie stars Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling already showed reluctance to return for a sequel. This means it is highly unlikely that the stars will reprise their roles in an animated film. In fact, according to World of Reel, Margo and Gerwig “are not thrilled” upon hearing the news of a potential animated film. Furthermore, it is very possible that the Barbie animated film would be targeted at children. This could very well break away from the message Gerwig was attempting to put forward.
What Does This Mean for Barbie (2023)?
There is a good chance an animated Barbie film would benefit from the live-action version. But what will this mean for the live-action Barbie film in turn? Gerwig created a masterpiece touching on feminism, what it means to be a woman, and artificial authenticity. And while Illimuniation’s films have some adult themes, they are mainly aimed at children. The Barbie animated film could either build on the live-action or water down the meaning completely.
That’s not to say there were not any successful animated Barbie movies before this. For example, Barbie and the Diamond Castle (2008) explores the power of friendship. Meanwhile, Barbie and the Secret Door (2014) encourages kids to believe in themselves to overcome hardships. These are still great messages, but will they compare to Gerwig’s take and overall message?
Ultimately, an animated Barbie film would do well with how popular the Mattel doll has become. Whether the film targets audiences or adults (or both), with Illumination’s track record, it should be a success. And it is very unlikely to take away from Gerwig’s live-action work.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, nothing has officially been confirmed by either Mattel or Illumination. There are not many complaints to be made about this development. An animated Barbie film, especially in the hands of Illumination, should be a success. And perhaps having something for both kids and adults to enjoy separately is the way to go.
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