Barbiequality
Screen star Margot on her £10m role as ‘pioneering feminist’ doll in megabucks film
EXCLUSIVE
MARGOT Robbie jumped at the chance to play “pioneer” Barbie, and says her £10million salary reflects the fact her character is NOT a dumb blonde.
The actress, 32, told how she was thrilled to work with feminist director Greta Gerwig. And in a landmark move for Hollywood, both Margot and her 41-year-old co-star Ryan Gosling – who plays boyfriend Ken – will be paid £10.4million
While playing the iconic doll means Margot has to wear a lot of pink, she is quick to defend Barbie’s reputation ahead of the film’s release next year.
She says: “I think people had a preconceived idea about what the movie would be. Then, when it was announced Greta was directing, all these ideas went out the window. “Bringing Barbie to life was something I just couldn’t say no to.
“It’s a fun movie – a comedy – but it’s also going to have aspects people don’t expect.
“I don’t think Barbie can be accused of being a dumb blonde as she has been a surgeon, a vet and a pilot so, if anything, she is a pioneer.”
Margot has played blondes before, such as in The Wolf of Wall Street, opposite Leonardo Dicaprio.
Groaning, she says: “My brief was ‘the hottest blonde ever’, which kind of cringed me out.”
The Aussie actress, who is now based in LA, lived in London for a while and regularly partied with model, Cara Delevingne. Of her time in the capital, Margot says: “I had some of the best experiences. The people, the pubs, the buildings… I loved it.
“I had some crazy times with Cara, some incredible nights out. You never knew where you might end up.
“It wasn’t an easy city to leave but it was the right
decision to make the LA move.”
Margot still manages to tune into hit ITV2 show Love Island though. And her tip to win this year? Paige Thorne.