A new trailer and surprise cast additions: Everything we know about Greta Gerwig's Barbie.

Greta Gerwig's upcoming Barbie movie has become the most anticipated project of the year -- because, well, duh. Besides an all-star cast and a nostalgia packed premise, the film offers something we're desperately missing in film at the moment: colour. And fun. And... uh, more fun.

For years, little has been known about the project, besides the fact that it will be about Mattel's famous doll. But finally, the first proper trailer has been released — giving us more of an idea about what to expect when the film is released in July.

And we weren't wrong about the fun.

From the release date to the cast, here's everything we know about Barbie.

The Barbie trailer.

The first full trailer for Barbie has been released, offering hints about the plot.

WELCOME TO BARBIE LAND, did you bring your rollerblades? 🌟 #BarbieTheMovie only in theaters July 21. pic.twitter.com/gBKLlF0aCI

— Barbie Movie (@barbiethemovie) April 4, 2023

In the beginning, Margot Robbie's Barbie greets other Barbies on the beach before she and Ryan Gosling's Ken drive to the real world in their (convertible pink!) car.

Image: Warner Bros.

There's also lots of in-jokes: Barbie's feet remain the same shape after she takes off her heels, there's a joke poking fun at the dolls lack of... anatomy, and a beef between Kens results in jokes about them all "beating each other off".

Based on cast posters, we also learned that all the Barbies have impressive achievements, from President to Nobel Prize winner, while the Kens are... just Kens.

This trailer comes months after the release of the first teaser in December 2022, which was narrated by Helen Mirren in a parody of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Watch the teaser trailer for Barbie here. Post continues after video.

Who is part of the cast?

Margot Robbie is set to star as 'Barbie' but the role was reportedly once linked to Anne Hathaway and Amy Schumer.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Schumer shared that she left the film after four months, citing conflict issues.

"They definitely didn’t want to do it the way I wanted to do it, the only way I was interested in doing it," she said. 

Robbie will be joined by Ryan Gosling, who will star as one of many 'Kens'. 

Shang-Chi's Simu Liu and Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa are set to appear as other 'Kens', while some of other Barbies will be played by Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Dua Lipa and Emma Mackay.

Popstar Dua Lipa's inclusion in the cast — as a mermaid Barbie, no less! — was successfully kept under wraps until the full cast announcement on April 4, and led to a minor internet meltdown.

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A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie)

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A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie)

The film will also star 'humans', including Will Ferrell as the CEO of a toy company. 

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A post shared by BARBIE (@barbiethemovie)

Additionally, the cast includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Alexandra Shipp, Ariana Greenblatt, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Sharon Rooney, Anna Cruz Kayne, Ritu Arya, Connor Swindells, Jamie Demetriou, and Marisa Abela.

Yep... it's truly STACKED.

So, what exactly can we expect? 

What we know for sure is that the tone, premise and concept of Barbie has developed considerably since production first began back in 2014. 

As for how the film is going to unfold? The universal theory is that the 'tone' is going to take on darker themes, addressing the insidious, unrealistic body expectations for women. There is also the assumption Barbie is going to become a self-actualised, aware being rather than just a 'doll'. 

It's widely reported Schumer's version of Barbie's plot was about her getting kicked out of the 'perfect' world she lives in for not being perfect enough. As a result, Barbie is forced to go on her own real adventure and discover who she really is. 

But as for Robbie's version? Well... It really is all one big theory for the moment.

"People don't have any idea what to expect [with the film], and I think that that's the right vibe," actor America Ferrera told People. "Whatever you think it is, it's not that. It's something else."

Interestingly enough, many stars' roles have been kept under wraps to not give anything away.

So... what we know for sure is that the project will be much darker and eye-opening than one might expect. As for literally everything else? We're just going to have to wait to see.

Listen to The Spill's episode on the highly anticipated film, Barbie. Story continues after audio. 

Another theory is that it will take on similar themes to the 90s film, The Truman Show, which starred Jim Carrey. The cult film examined the life of one man raised from birth in a reality show. Everyone he knows, and all that he loves, are either paid actors or products used for advertising. 

Either way, we are going to be surprised. And according to Gerwig, that is exactly what she wants. 

"We like the things that feel a little left of centre. Something like Barbie where the IP, the name itself, people immediately have an idea of, 'Oh, Margot is playing Barbie, I know what that is,' but our goal is to be like, 'Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different — the thing you didn’t know you wanted,'" she explained. 

"Now, can we truly honour the IP and the fan base and also surprise people? Because if we can do all that and provoke a thoughtful conversation, then we’re really firing on all cylinders."

Are there any photos from the set?

Surprisingly, there have been... A LOT. Dozens of clips and pictures have surfaced online thanks to the fact filming has been taking place on a public beach in the United States.

pic.twitter.com/k6Oh9wLKiZ

— v (@ViralMaterials) June 28, 2022

First Look at Margot Robbie in Greta Gerwig’s ‘BARBIE’ pic.twitter.com/7MMzm2zV3Y

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) April 26, 2022

#BARBIE
July 21, 2023
Only in theaters. pic.twitter.com/DAemOyv5H8

— Warner Bros. Pictures (@wbpictures) June 15, 2022

margot robbie’s barbie voice can be heard for the first time <3 pic.twitter.com/JfKbxP2Zst

— best of margot (@bestofmargot) June 27, 2022

Margot Robbie on the set of Barbie in Los Angeles, California. Image: Getty.

Ryan Gosling on the set of Barbie in Los Angeles, California. Image: Getty.

When is Greta Gerwig's movie going to be out? 

Barbie will be released only in theatres on July 21, 2023.

We'll catch you in the snack line.

This article was originally published on July 10, 2022 and has since been updated with new information.

Feature Image: Warner Bros / Getty.

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