Summary
Highlights
Margot Robbie discusses her involvement as a producer for the Barbie movie, explaining her strong conviction in Greta Gerwig's vision from the start. She recounts the six-year journey from acquiring the property to Greta and Noah Baumbach writing the script in secret during COVID, and the initial apprehension about Mattel's reaction to the script's radical take on Barbie.
Margot shares the challenges and conversations with Mattel to get them comfortable with the film's unconventional script. She explains how she had to clarify the nuances of acting and subtext to Mattel executives, addressing their concerns about certain jokes and storyline elements.
Margot and Cillian discuss the 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon, highlighting how both "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" were released on the same date and became cultural sensations. They attribute this success to the audience's appetite for diverse cinema and the strong appeal of the filmmakers, rather than any calculated marketing strategy.
Cillian Murphy addresses his perceived unawareness of internet memes, explaining that his teenage sons keep him informed. He acknowledges the 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon and the fan-generated art, emphasizing that it was a spontaneous audience reaction, not a studio marketing campaign.
Margot explains that she wasn't initially set to play Barbie, intending to produce and let Greta Gerwig cast the role. However, after reading the script, she felt compelled to play the character. Cillian discusses his six collaborations with Christopher Nolan, highlighting how their working relationship has deepened over 20 years, from supporting roles to his first lead in "Oppenheimer."
Cillian elaborates on Christopher Nolan's meticulous approach to filmmaking, his continuous refinement of vision, and his early adoption of IMAX cameras, starting with "The Dark Knight." He mentions that in "Oppenheimer," IMAX was used almost all the time.
Both actors discuss their intense preparation methods for their roles. Cillian shares his six-month prep for "Oppenheimer." Margot jokingly refers to her prep as 'psychopathic,' describing how she immerses herself, even creating weird masks, and emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation to feel free and spontaneous on set.
Margot reveals that Greta Gerwig often wrote specific actors' names into the script, effectively manifesting the cast. She describes the joyful and collaborative atmosphere on the "Barbie" set, likening it to a 'massive dance party' where cast and crew would often dance in the mornings. This positive environment, she notes, contributed to the film's overall feel.
Cillian discusses his use of a dialect coach for Oppenheimer's specific, old-fashioned voice, which he describes as no longer common. Margot shares her struggle in finding Barbie's character using her usual acting tools, as Barbie's nature as an invented doll made traditional methods like animal work or creating childhood memories ineffective.
Margot recounts how Greta Gerwig helped her understand Barbie by a podcast about a woman who couldn't introspect, providing a key insight into Barbie's naive nature. She also describes Greta's 'Movie Church' ritual, where the cast and crew would watch films like "His Girl Friday" or "The Red Shoes" for inspiration on rhythm, color, and storytelling.
Margot details the subtle evolution of Barbie's character from a doll to a more human being throughout the movie. This was reflected visually through changes in her wigs (less hair), costumes (less structured, more florals), and an overall decrease in 'certainty' in her appearance and actions, aiming for a subliminal shift in audience perception.
Margot confirms her continued fondness for pink, even instituting a 'Wednesdays We Wear Pink' rule on the Barbie set, with fines for non-compliance that went to charity. She also talks about the intricate costume design for Barbie, reflecting different decades, and the tactile nature of the film's sets, including a built cul-de-sac and miniature Barbieland models.
Margot and Cillian discuss their shared preference for practical effects over CGI, believing it creates a more authentic audience experience. Cillian highlights that "Oppenheimer" had no set builds, using actual historical locations, including Oppenheimer's house and office, to immerse the actors and audience in the real history of the story.
Margot, a self-proclaimed fan, brings up Cillian's iconic role as Tommy Shelby in "Peaky Blinders," asking about a potential spin-off movie. Cillian expresses openness to the idea but acknowledges the challenge of maintaining the show's perfect six-season run. Margot then turns the conversation back to "Barbie," asking about a sequel, to which she gives a cautiously optimistic 'not no' answer, emphasizing the high bar set by the original.