"Barbie," the much-anticipated big-screen adaptation of the iconic Mattel doll's narrative starring Margot Robbie, will be directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Greta Gerwig.
Gerwig has been working with Warner Bros. on the picture since 2019, when she and writer Noah Baumbach signed on to co-write the script. It has been reported since then that Gerwig was considered for the director's chair, but no official agreement has been reached.

Margot Robbie will feature in "Barbie," which will be directed by Greta Gerwig and written by her and her boyfriend Noah Baumbach, according to TheWrap. In a new interview with British Vogue, Margot Robbie confirmed that despite Gerwig joining the cast of "Barbie," she will also be taking over as director. Robbie revealed to British Vogue that playing Barbie comes with "a lot of baggage" and "a lot of nostalgic associations," but it's not the movie you're expecting. The actress casually mentioned Gerwig's artistic vision will go beyond screenplay writing and into the director's chair during an interview for the August 2021 issue of British Vogue. Variety obtained confirmation of the development from reliable sources.
He admitted that Barbie "comes with a lot of baggage! And a lot of nostalgic connections" while talking about the film. There are a lot of intriguing ways to attack it with that, she said. If you mention "Barbie," most people automatically assume you know what the movie will be about. However, when you mention Greta Gerwig is writing and directing, you have to wonder if you really do.
Gerwig and Baumbach are presently shooting his latest picture, "White Noise," in which Gerwig stars. That's where production on "Barbie" stands right now. Toy Story 4 will begin production in early 2022 at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios in London, with the pair returning to work on that project after it is finished. Plans call for a theatrical release in 2023.
Even while the news that Gerwig will helm the picture came as a surprise to some people, given her success with her first two movies, 2017's "Lady Bird" and 2019's "Little Women," Gerwig's nominations and win for Best Director include a total 11 nominations and one win at the Oscars (making Gerwig one of seven women ever nominated).
It'll be interesting to see how Gerwig's directorial tastes affect this new take on the plastic icon, as Robbie mentioned in her comments to Vogue.
A lot is yet unknown about the movie's plot, including which of Barbie's plastic playmates will make an appearance (Will Ken be there?). Skipper? Christie?). Robbie, on the other hand, recently told Variety's Marc Malkin that the film is "a terrific opportunity to put some positivity out there in the world and a chance to be aspirational for younger kids.
Additionally, Robbie produces the picture under her LuckyChap Entertainment banner, which won an Oscar last year for "Promising Young Woman," in addition to her work as an actress in it. With LuckyChap's Tom Ackerley, Mattel's Robbie Brenner and Ynon Kreiz and David Heyman, "Barbie" has a diverse group of producers.
UTA and Management 360 are the agencies representing Gerwig in this situation. The majority of people hear 'Barbie,' and presume they know what the film will be about. But when they learn that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, they realize they may not have a clue.
"Lady Bird" and "Little Women," both nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, are Gerwig's first and second features. In the meantime, she's working on Baumbach's upcoming film "White Noise," in which she also stars.
Warner Bros. and Mattel Films have set up "Barbie," and production is scheduled to begin in London in early 2022 with a release date of 2023.