Randall Park; Margot Robbie inBarbie(2023).Photo:Roy Rochlin/Getty Images; Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images; Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.
Hollywood isjumping on the toy-based movie trainafter the success ofBarbie— butRandall Parkthinks that is the wrong takeaway.
In an interview withRolling Stone, the actor, who directed the new filmShortcomings, touched on how he believes the “industry is taking the wrong lessons” fromBarbie’s popularity.
Park also reflected on the success of 2018’sCrazy Rich Asiansas a turning point,saying he was “very conscious and in support of the importance of” that film. “It felt like the beginning of something,” he said.
“Of a shift in culture for Asian Americans, and I think it really spoke to the massive success of that movie. It wasn’t just Asians watching that movie — it was so many different people,” he said.
“From my perspective, in this industry we had been told time and again that our stories wouldn’t connect with Middle America,” Park added. “They won’t understand it and won’t be able to identify with our stories. It proved that these stories are universal, ultimately, and for everybody.”
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Margot Robbie inBarbie(2023).Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.
Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.
From L: Lena Dunham; Polly Pocket toy; Lily Collins.Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty; Mattel; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty; Mattel; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Both Gerwig and Robbie have touched on the idea of more potentialBarbiemovies in the future, with the director telling PEOPLE for aBarbiespecial edition that she hopes hers “is the launch of a world and abunch of different Barbie movies.”
“There’s a tone and a humor and a joy, and obviously the world is so beautiful,” added Gerwig. “I want togo back to Barbie Land.”
As for Robbie, who also producedBarbie, the Oscar nominee said during a cover interview withTIMEmagazine published in June, “I think you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels.”
Still, she has been part of conversations about what the future holds for Barbie in terms of a cinematic experience to follow the first film. “Itcould go a million different directionsfrom this point,” she said.
Barbieis now in theaters.
source: people.com
