As a dedicated fan who has watched Barbie multiple times since its release last year, I can confidently say that this movie is not just a toy come to life, but a testament to the power of storytelling and female empowerment. Greta Gerwig’s directorial genius breathes new life into a beloved character, challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries in Hollywood.
The Barbie movie, which was a massive hit in 2023, has made its way onto Netflix’s list of top-watched films. This surge seems to be fueled by whispers about a potential sequel, causing renewed interest. Upon its release, the film broke all expectations, became a viral sensation with catchy tunes, and ruled streaming platforms. Now, its presence on Netflix has catapulted it into the platform’s most-watched titles.
Although any movie added to Netflix will attract some interest, news about Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach potentially creating a sequel, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, might encourage even more Netflix users to watch or rewatch the initial film.
Given that the initial movie earned an unprecedented $1.4 billion globally, it wouldn’t be shocking if there were talks about a sequel from Warner Bros. However, those in the know have dismissed these rumors as unfounded. A spokesperson for Gerwig and Baumbach has stated, “There is no truth to this report.” Similarly, Warner Bros. has labeled the information as “incorrect.
In the midst of Barbie’s promotional whirlwind, Gerwig expressed that a sequel would be contemplated if she and Baumbach discovered compelling themes for further story development. “My guiding star is, what do I deeply feel?” she stated during her acceptance speech for Time’s Women of the Year in March. “What matters to me? What’s the tale beneath this tale? If I find the undercurrent, then we proceed. If I don’t discover an undercurrent, there’s no more.
Women in the Director’s Seat
Currently, there’s no update about Greta Gerwig’s plans for a Barbie sequel, but she’s fully engaged with directing a live-action Netflix film based on the Chronicles of Narnia series. In the interim, she’s been actively advocating for more opportunities for women directors in Hollywood. Her efforts have garnered praise from esteemed director Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog, Bright Star, and The Piano), who commends Gerwig’s groundbreaking success and its positive impact on female representation within the industry.
[Gerwig] is crafting the Barbie tale… remarkable. For a change, we have a movie that isn’t based on Marvel superheroes, but rather a witty and imaginative, even humorous portrayal of the Barbie saga. She’s the first female director to generate such significant financial success from it, earning billions. It’s remarkable. This simply indicates that women are being entrusted with substantial funds, which is long overdue.
The representation of female directors in the film industry has made minimal progress over the past few decades, with growth barely exceeding 10 percentage points as stated by Stacy L. Smith from the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. In the year 2023, women accounted for only 12.1% of the top 100 films that were calculated by Annenberg. The situation is even more dismal when considering women of color, as over a span of 17 years, merely 19 films directed by women of color have made it to the top 100 list. As Smith noted, “The director problem in the industry is far from being resolved.
Martha Lauzen, an educator from San Diego State University, shared with The Hollywood Reporter that women directors tend to broaden opportunities for other women. This approach seems to be reflected in Greta Gerwig’s hiring practices, given her past record. In essence, when a woman directs a film, she tends to bring a distinct group of creative individuals with her, whether intentionally or unintentionally, compared to a male director.
Only time will tell if Gerwig really does have more up her sleeve for the Barbie franchise.
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2024-12-19 02:31