Last year, while Greta Gerwig‘s “Barbie” was in production, Ryan Gosling promised the press that he would bring the “ken-ergy” in his performance as Barbie’s plastic beaux. And based on the trailer for the film so far, Gosling certainly brings that “ken-ergy” (whatever that is). But some people aren’t wild about Gosling playing Ken because he’s too old, and Variety reports (via GQ) that the actor isn’t having any of that nonsense.
“I would say, you know, if people don’t want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with,” Gosling told GQ in a new cover story. “It is funny,” he went on, “this kind of clutching-your-pearls idea of, like, #notmyken. Like you ever thought about Ken before this?” A sound argument by Gosling, who brings to life a doll that exists to be arm candy for Barbie. It’s not as if this character is a celebrity, much less a real person; does anyone really know how old Ken is supposed to be?
But Gosling took his defense of Ken one step further, clarifying that he cares more about the doll/character than any of his critics and detractors.
“And everyone was fine with that, for him to have a job that is nothing,” Gosling continued. “But suddenly, it’s like, ‘No, we’ve cared about Ken this whole time.’ No, you didn’t. You never did. You never cared. Barbie never fucked with Ken. That’s the point. If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So your hypocrisy is exposed. This is why his story must be told.”
Is this all a little ridiculous? Yup, and that’s why Gosling laughed during this part of the interview with GQ. “I care about this dude now,” the actor chuckled. “I’m like his representative. ‘Ken couldn’t show up to receive this award, so I’m here to accept it for him.’” Gosling stars alongside Margot Robbie in Gerwig’s upcoming film, which hits theaters on July 21. The premise of “Barbie”? After Robbie’s doll realizes she’s less than perfect, she leaves behind Barbieland and all the other Barbies to head into the real world (with Ken in tow) and discover who she really is.
“Barbie” is undoubtedly one of the biggest films of the summer, next to the likes of James Mangold‘s new “Indiana Jones” film, the latest “Mission: Impossible” sequel, and Christopher Nolan‘s “Oppenheimer“? So will Gerwig’s new movie beat those three at the box office? If Gosling brings the “ken-ergy,” that may very well happen.