Margot Robbie made an unexpectedly selfless offer while lobbying to play the lead in the Barbie film, according to newly revealed details. Despite her staunch desire to portray the iconic Mattel doll, Robbie told director Greta Gerwig she wouldn’t stand in the way if Gerwig felt she wasn’t right for the part.
Robbie’s surprising willingness to step aside reveals her priorities when it comes to casting major roles. Even her dream parts come second to doing what’s best for the overall production.
The Producer Giving the Director Full Casting Freedom
While passionately pitching herself for the role, Margot Robbie reportedly told Gerwig “I won’t be offended in the slightest” if she opted not to cast her as Barbie. Robbie explained she only wanted the best actress for the film and wouldn’t have any hard feelings if Gerwig found someone better suited.
“I think my pitch in the green-light meeting was the studios have prospered so much when they’re brave enough to pair a big idea with a visionary director”.
Sources say Robbie made the offer repeatedly, assuring Gerwig she had total freedom to exclude her from Barbie casting if that served the film. Her selflessness stunned Gerwig.
“And I was like, ‘And now you’ve got Barbie and Greta Gerwig.’ And I think I told them that it’d make a billion dollars, which maybe I was overselling, but we had a movie to make, okay?!”
Margot Robbie’s Willingness to Step Aside for the Movie
Sources say Robbie went as far as telling Gerwig to not let her feelings factor into the casting decision if she believed another performer was ideal for bringing Barbie to life. Robbie’s priority was assembling the best cast rather than landing the coveted lead part for herself.
The ‘Babylon’ star recalled:
“I didn’t want whoever our director was going to be – Greta being the first choice, but if she had said no – I didn’t want our director to feel pressured to put me in the role.”
“So I was just really upfront about like, ‘I won’t be offended in the slightest. We could go to anyone. Whatever story you want to tell and whoever you want that to be, I support that.”
“I’ve got skin in the game as a producer, I don’t have skin in the game as an actor, so be free with that choice.’ And she was like, ‘Shut up, I want to write this for you.’ And I was like, ‘You might feel pressured to say that, but…’ and we did that dance for a while.”
Robbie continued:
“And then eventually I just accepted that she did want me to play the role, and then she wrote it. She wrote me in and she wrote Ryan (Gosling) in, and it was our names printed in the script from the get-go, ‘Barbie – Margot, Ken – Ryan Gosling.’ “
Insiders reveal Robbie told Gerwig not to worry about sparing her feelings or letting her down gently if she didn’t get Barbie. The role didn’t matter as much as perfect casting.
Securing the Role She Longed For
Robbie’s willingness to step aside ended up not being necessary, as Gerwig ultimately decided her vision aligned perfectly with Robbie as Barbie. Though ready to give up the role, Robbie won the part by demonstrating her dedication to the movie above all else.
In the end, Gerwig felt Robbie was the optimal Barbie. But sources say Robbie’s selfless attitude was what cinched the deal and deeply impressed Gerwig.
Margot Robbie’s revelations show that even when vying for an intensely desired role, she prioritized whatever was best for the production. Her shocking offer to withdraw from Barbie casting proves that Robbie’s primary concern is always about assembling the strongest team.
Source: Collider
