When Ryan Gosling was first approached to play Ken in Greta Gerwig’s much-anticipated “Barbie” movie, his reaction wasn’t the instant “yes” many would have expected from a seasoned actor offered a lead role in a major production. Gosling, known for his enigmatic performances in films like La La Land and Blade Runner 2049, admitted to feeling a certain amount of disbelief. The actor, often seen embodying characters with depth, emotion, and often a sense of mystery, didn’t immediately see himself in Ken. Ken, after all, is a cultural figure synonymous with superficial perfection—plasticity, in both a literal and figurative sense.

“When they first approached me, my immediate thought was, ‘What do they mean, Ken? Like, the doll?’” Gosling recalled with a chuckle in an interview with The New York Times. He wasn’t sure if the filmmakers were looking for an actor who could bring irony, camp, or sincerity to the role. The proposition seemed, at first glance, like a divergence from his typical work, but that was exactly what piqued his interest.

“I found a Ken doll lying face down in the mud in my backyard the day I got the script,” Gosling shared in a memorable late-night talk show appearance. “That was Ken’s fate when I was offered the role. I took it as a sign.” That particular image—Ken, face down and forgotten—struck a chord with Gosling. The actor saw an opportunity to imbue the character with a sense of existential absurdity. Ken, to Gosling, was a figure out of place in the world, much like the doll abandoned in his backyard. This realization allowed him to see the comedic potential in the role while also presenting a challenge he couldn’t resist.

Gosling’s Perspective on Ken’s Character: How He Relates to the Character and What He Thinks Ken Represents in the Context of the Film

Ken is often viewed as the ultimate accessory—forever living in the shadow of Barbie’s glamour and success, a sidekick to her iconic status. While Gosling initially saw Ken’s surface-level traits—the perfect hair, the permanent smile, the ever-present tan—as a hard sell, he quickly discovered layers of complexity beneath the plastic façade.

“What is Ken without Barbie?” Gosling asked rhetorically in an interview with GQ. “He’s an identity waiting to happen. He’s been sidelined for so long, he doesn’t even know who he is.”

Gosling found himself sympathizing with Ken’s existential dilemma. In a world where Barbie is the star, Ken is often relegated to a supporting role—a status he didn’t ask for but has had to accept. The film, through Gosling’s portrayal, explores what happens when Ken tries to break free from those confines. In many ways, Gosling saw Ken’s struggle as reflective of the societal expectations men face, particularly around masculinity and identity.

“In a weird way, Ken is this hyper-masculine ideal, but he’s also very lost,” Gosling mused. “He’s spent decades being the guy who’s just there for Barbie, but he’s never been given the chance to explore what that means. That’s an interesting starting point for a character.”

Gosling related to Ken’s uncertainty, seeing in him the echoes of a wider cultural conversation about identity, roles, and expectations. In Ken’s attempt to figure out his purpose, Gosling found a poignant human experience, one that went beyond the polished exterior. Ken, as Gosling portrayed him, wasn’t just a joke or a stereotype—he was a man (or doll) in search of meaning, trying to carve out space in a world that hadn’t given him much to begin with.

Working with the Cast & Crew: Gosling’s Experience Collaborating with Margot Robbie and the Movie’s Creative Team

Working on Barbie offered Gosling the chance to reunite with Margot Robbie, an actress with whom he had previously shared the screen in The Big Short. Robbie, who played the titular Barbie, also served as a producer on the film, giving her significant creative input. Their dynamic on set was crucial to building the playful and often hilarious relationship between Barbie and Ken.

“Margot is brilliant. She’s one of those rare actors who’s as good behind the camera as she is in front of it,” Gosling said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “Her vision for Barbie was so clear from the beginning, and she brought so much to the character.”

He described their on-set dynamic as “lighthearted but purposeful,” noting that Robbie’s energy kept the atmosphere fun even during the more intense filming days. “We had to find that balance between honoring the ridiculousness of these characters while also giving them real stakes. Margot made that so easy.”

Gosling was equally enthusiastic about working with director Greta Gerwig, whose indie roots and sharp storytelling sensibilities gave Barbie its unique tone. Gerwig’s vision for the movie was a blend of satire, humor, and social commentary—a combination that Gosling felt deeply aligned with.

“Greta is a genius,” Gosling said simply. “She has this way of making every moment count, and she’s not afraid to take risks. Working with her was a masterclass in finding the heart of a scene, even in the most unexpected places.”

The film’s humor, its take on consumer culture, and its exploration of gender roles would not have been possible without the collaborative effort of the entire cast and crew, something Gosling appreciated throughout the process. From the costume designers who created the iconic plastic-like outfits to the set designers who crafted the colorful world of Barbie Land, every detail contributed to the film’s distinct aesthetic. “It was like stepping into another world every day. The level of detail was insane.”

Humor and the Challenge of Portraying Ken: The Humorous and Challenging Aspects of Bringing a Character Like Ken to Life on Screen

Portraying Ken was both a comedic goldmine and a surprising challenge for Gosling. The character’s inherent absurdity—the perfect hair, the pristine outfits, the lack of any discernible flaws—offered a wealth of comedic opportunities. However, Gosling knew that the humor had to be handled delicately. If played too seriously, Ken could come off as wooden or one-dimensional; if played too broadly, the character might descend into caricature.

“The trick was to find that sweet spot,” Gosling explained. “Ken is supposed to be a little ridiculous, but I didn’t want him to be a total joke. He’s funny because he’s so unaware of his own ridiculousness.”

Much of the humor in the film came from Ken’s interactions with the other characters, particularly Barbie. Gosling’s comedic timing and deadpan delivery allowed Ken’s over-the-top bravado to shine through without becoming too outlandish. At the same time, he worked to give the character moments of genuine vulnerability.

“There’s a moment in the film where Ken realizes he’s not the center of the story, and it’s played for laughs, but there’s also something sad about it,” Gosling said. “That’s what I loved about this role—it’s layered in ways you wouldn’t expect.”

The challenge was in walking the fine line between humor and sincerity, something Gosling managed to do with finesse. It’s a testament to his skill as an actor that Ken became more than just a punchline in Barbie—he became a fully realized character with his own arc, even in a film centered on someone else.

Gosling’s Take on Barbie’s Cultural Impact: His View on the Cultural Significance of the “Barbie” Movie and Its Potential Message

As an actor who has taken on roles in both art-house films and blockbuster hits, Gosling is no stranger to the idea of cultural impact. However, Barbie presented a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of pop culture and social commentary. For decades, the Barbie doll has been a symbol of both aspiration and criticism—praised for representing female empowerment but also criticized for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Gosling saw the film as a chance to reframe those conversations in a way that felt fresh and relevant.

“Barbie is a cultural icon, but she’s also a controversial figure,” Gosling said. “This movie isn’t just about celebrating her—it’s about questioning what she represents, and what Ken represents too.”

For Gosling, the film’s message goes beyond simple gender roles. It’s about the stories we tell ourselves and the expectations placed upon us by society. Ken’s journey mirrors this in many ways, as he tries to break free from the mold he’s been cast in—both literally and figuratively.

“I think audiences will walk away from this movie seeing Ken, and Barbie, in a whole new light,” Gosling reflected. “It’s funny, it’s absurd, but it’s also saying something important about how we define ourselves.”

Ultimately, Gosling’s portrayal of Ken, and his reflections on the character, show a deeper understanding of what Barbie means in the modern world. It’s a film that invites laughter, introspection, and maybe even a little existential contemplation—just like the Ken doll face down in the mud, waiting for someone to pick him up and tell his story.