Will Ferrell is currently seeing a lot of success with Ryan Reynolds in the Apple TV+ movie Spirited, but one of his next projects will be Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. While speaking to the WSJ Magazine, Ferrell has been talking about his role for the first time and also shared some insight into the satirical homage that the script delivers.

Ever since being announced, the Barbie movie has caused a lot of head-scratching as to how exactly the film is going to be pitched. With Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, respectively, playing the title character and her ever-faithful Ken, as well as several other A-list stars playing other variations of the pair, what is going on in the movie? Ferrell has now drawn back the curtain just enough to clarify some of the previous comments about Barbie not being the movie people expect. He said:

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Ferrell continued to mention his character in the movie, who has previously been seen in set photos seemingly pursuing Barbie and Ken on roller skates. While there have been rumors that Ferrell would be playing the CEO of Mattel Toys, who loses his Barbie in the real world. It seems all of that is perfectly true. He added:

“It is in my humble opinion, the ultimate example of high art and low art. It’s a loving homage to the brand and, at the same time, couldn’t be more satirical – just an amazing comment on male patriarchy and women in society and why Barbie’s criticized and yet why every little girl still wants to play with Barbie. Boy, when I read it, I was like, ‘This is fantastic.”

“I get to play the CEO of Mattel and be that guy who’s just insensitive but weird and then, not to spoil anything but…Anyway, that’s what excites me.”

Is Barbie Really Going to Be One of the Best Movies of 2023?

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If there is one thing that cannot be predicted, it is how audiences react to new movie releases that don’t already have an invested following, such as those of the MCU or DCU franchises. With many big movies set for release next year, will Barbie hold her own against the likes of Indiana Jones 5, The Marvels and Oppenheimer? Everyone involved in the movie certainly seems to think so.

While Ferrell has been quick to praise the script, he is not the first to be hugely optimistic about the movie. Simu Liu has previously talked about his first reaction to reading the script and went as far as to say it is one of the “best scripts” he has ever been given. He said:

All will be revealed in good time, but for now, those intrigued will be very much looking forward to seeing the first trailer for Barbie soon.

“It’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. I think it’ll surprise a lot of people because I think a lot of people get cynical when they see Mattel or they see Barbie. The first thought I had after reading the script was how did the hell did they get Mattel to sign off on this, because this is not the kind of movie that corporate overlords sign off on.”