Margot Robbie attended the Once Upon a Time In Hollywood premier this week, where she talked about her next role as Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s new film. 

Explaining why she thinks the film is so important right now, she told Variety: “I think it’s a great opportunity to put some positivity out in the world and a change to be aspirational for younger kids.”

She previously told the magazine: “Playing with Barbie promotes confidence, curiosity and communication throughout a child’s journey to self-discovery. Over the brand’s almost 60 years, Barbie has empowered kids to imagine themselves in aspirational roles from a princess to president.” 

As Barbie has had a feminist transformation over recent years, we have high hopes. The hijab-wearing Barbie, wheelchair-using Barbie and astronaut Barbie have all been released within the last year alone. This classic childhood doll is finally becoming a more inclusive toy for girls with its diverse range.

So the fact that Robbie is producing the film while Ladybird’s Greta Gerwig is writing it has made us very excited.

Everything we know about Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s Barbie film

Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha, The Squid and the Whale) have signed on to co-write the Warner Bros. film, which will see Robbie in the lead role. Robbie will also produce Barbie through her production company LuckyChap alongside Tom Ackerley of luckyChap Entertainment and Robbie Brenner of Mattel.

Variety has also reported that Gerwig is lined up to direct the film, but this is yet to be confirmed. 

A live-action Barbie movie has been in the works since 2014, with both Amy Schumer and Anne Hathaway attached to the project before dropping out. 

With Gerwig’s track record of excelling female focused films (Ladybird, Frances Ha) and Robbie’s award-winning performances (I Tonya, Mary Queen of Scots), Barbie is sure to be a feminist retelling of the iconic figure.

Last year,the Oscar-winning director chatted to Stylist about the importance of encouraging women to lead films.

“Until it’s closer to 50/50, I say keep shouting about it, because it might reach a girl or woman who hasn’t directed or is looking for the courage to do it and move them to make that step,” she said. 

Gerwig also talked about her admiration for Robbie, adding: “I’ve been very impressed with women, like Reese Witherspoon and Margot Robbie, who have started their own production companies and hire female directors. This is something that has been percolating for me, and I would love to figure out how to help other women get movies made.”

Right now, we’re waiting for the release of Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women - the timeless tale which explores the love and rivalry between four sisters as they navigate growing up and going after their dreams.

The film has a bloody brilliant cast. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March are played respectively by Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen and Florence Pugh. Joining them as their mother is Laura Dern, while Meryl Streep plays Aunt March and Timothée Chalamet takes on the role of Laurie.

Here are the first pictures of the film:

No further details have been released about the Barbie film, but we’ll be the first ones to update when they are. 

Images: Getty