Amy Schumer is bringing the world’s most famous doll to the big screen. The “Trainwreck” star and screenwriter is in negotiations to play Barbie in a live-action Sony Pictures film based on the iconic Mattel toy, Deadline reports. She’ll rewrite former “Community” scribe Hilary Winston’s script along with writer and producer Kim Caramele, her sister and frequent collaborator. A director hasn’t been hired yet, but “the clear intention is that the filmmaker be a woman.”
The project has been in the works since 2014, when producers Lori MacDonald and Walter Parkes won the rights from the toymaker. “We are wary to say the least,” we wrote of the project. “Let’s just hope that the live-action Barbie will not have her feet permanently in the upright position and that she looks like a human and not a ‘barbie doll.’” We’re so pleased to see Schumer, who often jokes about having arms that are bigger than most actresses’ legs, cast in this role. Even better, “Barbie’s” plot will tackle unrealistic, superficial beauty standards head-on and celebrate its central character’s unique appearance and identity. And as anyone who has seen Schumer’s work— particularly her Comedy Central sketch show “Inside Amy Schumer” — knows, Schumer is a total pro when it comes to skewering double standards and bullshit surrounding women’s bodies.
“Schumer will play a character who lives in Barbieland, among all of the various Barbie characters beloved by doll collectors (there are dolls covering over 180 careers),” Deadlines writes. “In a fish-out-of-water story reminiscent of films like ‘Splash’ and ‘Big,’ Schumer’s Barbie gets kicked out, basically because she’s not perfect enough, is a bit eccentric, and doesn’t quite fit the mold. She then goes on an adventure in the real world and by the time she returns to Barbieland to save it, she has gained the realization that perfection comes on the inside, not the outside, and that the key to happiness is belief in oneself, free of the obligation to adhere to some unattainable standard of perfection.”
The toy line has generated $3 billion in sales for Mattel. If the success of Schumer’s first film is any indication, the live-action “Barbie” will be a box office hit. “Trainwreck” grossed over $140 million internationally and was made for $35 million.
It seems as though Sony knew what a powerful lead Schumer would make: According to Deadline, “Sony chief Tom Rothman brought the script to Schumer personally, and pitched the take to her. After she read Winston’s script, Schumer emailed that she was in. A deal is now being finalized.”
What a relief it is to know that Sony is actively seeking a woman director for the gig. “Word around Hollywood is there is a short list of directors including ‘Me Before You’ helmer Thea Sharrock (who is apparently unavailable for the slot), but it’s a big job and the studio expects to fill it shortly,” Deadline writes.
The movie will kick off production in the spring with plans for a summer 2018 release. “Barbie” may be a tentpole.
Schumer has a number of films in the works, including an untitled mother-daughter film co-starring Goldie Hawn and the Reese Witherspoon-produced “Who Invited Her?” Earlier this year, Schumer finished writing a script with Caramele and Jennifer Lawrence. Schumer and Lawrence will star in the feature and play sisters. The multi-hyphenate made history this September: She’s the first woman ever to land on Forbes’ list of the top earners in comedy.
