‘Barbie’ Casting Directors Reveal The Unusual Auditions for the Role of Ken in ‘Barbie’

During auditions for the highly anticipated film “Barbie,” aspiring actors competing for the role of Ken used some unusual tactics, which came as a surprise twist.

Co-casting directors Allison Jones and Lucy Bevan, who were in charge of selecting the perfect Ken actors, recently divulged some amusing anecdotes from the audition process in an exclusive interview with MPA’s “The Credits” series. These revelations shed light on the lengths to which some auditionees went to embody the iconic Ken character.

Jones and Bevan recounted how a handful of eager hopefuls attempting to channel Ken’s charisma decided to strip off their shirts, believing that showcasing their physiques would exemplify the quintessential Ken vibe. However, the casting directors quickly quashed these unconventional approaches, informing the actors that such displays were unnecessary. Ultimately, Simu Liu clinched the role of Ken’s rival, Ken, flawlessly executing the pivotal “beach off” fight scene.

Bevan shared her perspective on the audition process: “Those scenes were fun to audition. Some Kens would remove their T-shirts, and we said, no, you don’t need to take off your T-shirt. But Simu [Liu] just nailed that [line] in the film.”

Jones chimed in, emphasizing the commitment of the auditionees to portraying the characters authentically: “The thing that Greta did always stress was that none of these people were sarcastic or winking at the camera. They were Kens and Barbies.”

Navigating the delicate balance between humor and sincerity in the characters proved a formidable challenge. Bevan observed, “There were certain scenes we used to audition, and the fine line between the comedy and sincerity of those characters is a difficult balance.”

The coveted Ken roles in the film ultimately went to a talented lineup of actors, including Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Scott Evans, Ncuti Gatwa, and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Recently, the casting directors disclosed that notable figures such as Bowen Yang, Dan Levy, and Ben Platt were also under consideration for various Ken renditions in the movie. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts prevented these potential castings from materializing. Jonathan Groff also explored the possibility of playing Ken’s enduring friend Allan, a role that eventually landed in the hands of Michael Cera.

Bevan reiterated that practical considerations rather than creative choices influenced the decisions to drop certain actors: “It’s rather a boring reason. On a movie like this, it was a hugely ambitious shoot and a complicated schedule, and you can have brilliant ideas, and people’s availability either does or doesn’t work.”

“Barbie,” the highly anticipated film from Warner Bros., has now hit theaters nationwide, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of the iconic dolls brought to life on the big screen.