Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated film, Barbie, starring Margot Robbie, has caught the attention of many. In a recent Time Magazine cover story, it was revealed that Mattel’s president and COO, Richard Dickson, flew to the London set to challenge a scene he believed was not in line with the company’s brand. However, Gerwig and Robbie managed to convince him to keep the scene by performing it live on set.

This incident demonstrates that Barbie is not just a sanitized homage to the iconic doll. The film’s trailer boldly proclaims, “If you love Barbie, this movie is for you. If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you.”

During her initial meeting with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, Robbie emphasized her intention to explore both on-brand and off-brand topics in the film. She believed that acknowledging these aspects was essential, as failing to do so would allow others to define the conversation.

In that very first meeting, we impressed upon Ynon we are going to honor the legacy of your brand, but if we don’t acknowledge certain things — if we don’t say it, someone else is going to say it. So you might as well be a part of that conversation.

Robbie also aimed to challenge the idea of a singular Barbie identity. Mattel responded by incorporating multiple interpretations of Barbie in the film. This change was crucial for Robbie, who believes there is no one ideal version of Barbie that women should aspire to be.

While Mattel is already excited about the possibility of more Barbie movies, Robbie cautions against planning sequels before establishing a solid foundation with the first film.

Barbie is set to hit theaters nationwide on July 21, distributed by Warner Bros. This cinematic endeavor promises to break the traditional Barbie mold and offer a fresh perspective that appeals to both Barbie enthusiasts and those seeking a new narrative for the iconic doll.