As we approach the Oscars, we can finally shut the book on 2023 films, including the massive cultural moment that was the “Barbie” release. But that doesn’t mean “Barbie” will be gone forever. You have to assume Mattel is itching to get a sequel or spinoffs going. And if they call Michael Cera, he’ll gladly rejoin the franchise.
Speaking on “The Tonight Show,” Michael Cera talked about the surprising success of “Barbie” and how it has been nominated for so many Oscars. He also talked a bit about filming the movie, which is always fun to hear. But when the question came around about Cera possibly returning as his character, Allan, for a future spinoff, the actor was more than happy to say yes. Even if he doesn’t quite understand how it would work.
“I think it would be kind of a weird movie, but I’m there,” Cera said. “He’s kind of like an inactive character. He kind of just stands [there]. For me, the biggest inspiration for the character was Hans Moleman, that character in ‘The Simpsons.’ He just stands there all the time. For me, that’s like the core of the character.”
To explain Allan to someone who hasn’t seen the film is really difficult. He’s basically Ken without the Ken-ness. He definitely is very “inactive” as Cera put it. So, it would definitely be difficult to imagine a spinoff film focused solely on that character. A fun short film? Sure. A feature? Nah, no thanks.
That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cera’s Allan return in whatever “Barbie” projects come next. While Margot Robbie has said that a sequel isn’t something she’s thinking about, the film made so much money, the studio would be silly to not consider continuing in some way, shape, or form. We’ll just have to wait and see what that looks like.