Warner Bros.
Over the summer, we were treated to the cinematic event that was “Barbenheimer” when Barbie and Oppenheimer dropped on the same day. Plenty of people went out of their way to see both of those films as a double feature, and we apparently have Margot Robbie to partially thank for ensuring they came out at the same time.
As you probably know, “Barbenheimer” revolved around two movies: one was a masterpiece from an acclaimed director featuring painstakingly designed sets and a star-studded cast that involved deep meditations on the nature of humanity, and the other was Oppenheimer.
While Christopher Nolan’s historical epic will probably end up occupying a more prominent space in cinematic history, Barbie was still a very entertaining film (especially when you consider it was, at the end of the day, a movie based on a doll with no real backstory). I think most people would agree Ryan Gosling stole the show, but Margot Robbie still did a fantastic job portraying the eponymous plastic figure that inspired it.
Robbie—who was also credited as a producer—recently sat down with Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy for a conversation that was organized by Variety.
The duo obviously discussed the phenomenon that was Barbenheimer, and during their chat, the actress revealed she was lightly pressured by a rival producer to think about pushing the Barbie release date but declined to act on that advice, saying:
“One of your producers, Chuck Roven, called me, because we worked together on some other projects. And he was like, “I think you guys should move your date.”
And I was like, “We’re not moving our date. If you’re scared to be up against us, then you move your date.” And he’s like, “We’re not moving our date. I just think it’d be better for you to move.” And I was like, “We’re not moving!”
I think this is a really great pairing, actually. It’s a perfect double billing: Oppenheimer and Barbie…
Clearly the world agreed.”
It’s unlikely Robbie had the final say either way, but as Murphy noted when he complimented her on her “good instinct,” she certainly made sure the right call was made—and the world is a better place because of it.