Margot Robbie reveals another actress was top choice to play Barbie

In one of her most glamorous magazine shoots yet, Margot Robbie dropped a bombshell about casting for the Barbie movie – another famous actress was the first choice.

There was one overarching reaction when news emerged a live-action Barbie movie was happening – Margot Robbie was born to play her.

The Australian actress, 32, was officially cast as the titular character in 2019 after Warner Bros secured distribution rights, with Greta Gerwig signed on to write the screenplay alongside her husband Noah Baumbach. Gerwig also later signed on as director.

Robbie had been attached to the project prior to her casting, with her production company LuckyChap Entertainment teaming up with Heyday Films and Mattel Films to produce the film.

But appearing on the cover of Vogue US for its summer issue, ahead of Barbie’s July release in theatres, Robbie said she and Gerwig were initially scouting another A-list star to play the iconic doll.

“This is going to sound stupid, but I really didn’t even think about playing Barbie until years into developing the project,” the twice-Oscar nominated actress told the magazine.

Instead, Robbie first had Wonder Woman star, Gal Gadot, in her sights.

Margot Robbie for Vogue's 2023 Summer issue. Picture: Ethan James Green/Vogue

“Gal Gadot is Barbie energy. Because Gal Gadot is so impossibly beautiful, but you don’t hate her for being that beautiful, because she’s so genuinely sincere, and she’s so enthusiastically kind that it’s almost dorky,” Robbie said. “It’s like right before being a dork.”

But Gadot wasn’t available, and so, Robbie stepped into the pink shoes.

Gal Gadot was the first choice to play Barbie. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/AFP

Meanwhile, Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken, also participated in the interview, where he revealed Robbie left him presents on set everyday to help him get into character.

“She left a pink present with a pink bow, from Barbie to Ken, every day while we were filming,” Gosling, 42, said.

“They were all beach-related. Like puka shells, or a sign that says, ‘Pray for surf.’ Because Ken’s job is just beach. I’ve never quite figured out what that means. But I felt like she was trying to help Ken understand, through these gifts that she was giving.”

A trailer for the film dropped to much excitement in April, showing Barbie and Ken leaving the picture perfect ‘Barbieland’ for the real world.

Margot Robbie in Vogue ahead of the Barbie film release. Picture: Ethan James Green/Vogue

The aussie actress left co-star Gosling gifts each day on set. Picture: Ethan James Green/Vogue

Gerwig’s film, which was announced in April 2014, has kept the plot boxed up, but Gosling and Robbie gave fans a sneak peek at their wardrobe last year when they were filming in Venice Beach, California, dressed from head to toe in neon skater gear and highlighter-yellow roller blades.

Barbie’s supporting cast includes Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Kate McKinnon.

Grammy-winning singer Dua Lipa also makes her acting debut as a mermaid version of the doll.

Barbie will be released in Australian theatres on July 20.