We’re not in the dollhouse anymore. Comedienne Amy Schumer is in talks to star as Barbie in Sony’s upcoming live-action film, due in Summer 2018. The film’s screenplay comes from Hilary Winston (Community, The LEGO Ninjago Movie). However, it’s expected that Schumer and her sister, Kim Caramele, will rewrite the screenplay, since both were heavily involved with Inside Amy Schumer and Trainwreck.
Schumer is a genius pick for the live-action Barbie, for she brings a sense of cutthroat ingenuity that will surely impact Mattel’s female-centered brand. How might Schumer change the Barbie movie? Let’s take a look.
(Don’t?) Take Barbie Seriously
Even though it will be a comedy, Sony needs fans to take the live-action Barbie film seriously, at least on some level. Otherwise, the film won’t have any chance of a good showing at the box office. So far, Sony has named Splash (1984), Enchanted (2007), and Big (1988) as inspirations for the movie, which will send Barbie on a real-world adventure after she’s kicked out of Barbieland for “not being perfect enough.”
Amy Schumer is an outstanding choice who can make even hesitant moviegoers give the film a try. To this day, one of my close friends is still trying to convince me to watch Barbie as The Island Princess. (Yes, Julie, I hear you.) And I’ll keep on saying no until my dying day. But Amy Schumer is one of the most successful acts in today’s comedy scene. She’s not afraid to do anything. Her platform for female empowerment is sure to add further depth to the Barbie movie.
It will be interesting to see how Schumer brings her normally R-rated filmmaking style to bear on the movie’s PG rating. Even with that parental rating constraint, Schumer will no doubt find ways to bring out her characteristic audacity. The movie is also still searching for a director. Hopefully it’ll be a female director who can meaningfully contribute to the movie’s focus on empowerment. In much the same vein as this year’s female-driven Ghostbusters remake, Schumer and Caramele’s involvement means that the Barbie movie is definitely worth giving a chance.