In Barbie, Ken is inspired by Ryan Gosling to dress like a “real man” when he discovers pictures of Sylvester Stallone in the 1970s. The decision to use Stallone as inspiration for Ken came from Barbie director Greta Gerwig.
In Barbie, Ken is inspired by Ryan Gosling to dress like a “real man” when he discovers pictures of Sylvester Stallone in the 1970s. The decision to use Stallone as inspiration for Ken came from Barbie director Greta Gerwig.
What did Greta Gerwig say about Sylvester Stallone?
If Mike Ryan from Uproxx Gerwig has hinted that Stallone would love Barbie, “hopes so” as she admires the iconic action star.
“Everything we have in film or relate to is always just things we love,” Gerwig said. “And I mean, I love Sylvester Stallone.”
Gerwig’s love for Stallone has its roots in the Rocky series. However, Gerwig wasn’t the only Stallone fan on the Barbie set. Gosling expressed his appreciation for Stallone and made the decision to use the Rambo actor’s imagery in Barbie an easy one.
“And I love all those Rocky movies. I love him very much. So it was actually a very early thing,” said Gerwig. “As Ryan Gosling and I texted a lot, we both found our love for Sly Stallone. And then we talked about his look in the ’70s and how great he was. And he really dressed up as a man. And we were like, ‘That’s a good start.’ I mean, there are just amazing pictures of him, especially in the Rocky Mountains.”
Given the chance of a possible sequel, Gerwig joked that “Barbie 2” would start with Margot Robbie’s Barbie and Sylvester Stallone and that he could direct. When Ryan mentioned that Stallone has directed films he has starred in in the past, Gerwig has no problem letting Rocky Balboa take the reins.
“He’s very welcome,” said Gerwig. “It would be an honor. It would be a great honor.”
In its first weekend, Gerwig’s Barbie took a Stallone-sized hit at the box office and opened a period film Domestic debut valued at $162 million. This is the biggest domestic opening of 2023 and the highest opening weekend by a female director.