After starring as the new fan-favorite superhero Shang-Chi in Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, rising star Simu Liu will continue his success in Hollywood by joining big names like Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in Warner Bros.' upcoming live-action Barbie film.
At first glance, a Barbie adaptation may not be associated with something complex and weighty. However, with a script from Greta Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, both of who are coming off of Academy Award-winning or nominated films such as Lady Bird, the Little Women remake, and the critically acclaimed Marriage Story, as well Gerwig helming the Barbie project herself, the upcoming Warner Bros. film is shaping up to be a big awards season contender.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Liu is in negotiations to join Barbie shortly after America Ferrera joined film, as the upcoming project appears to have one star-studded ensemble. After Robbie was confirmed to star in the film, Gosling then joined the Barbie cast this past October after initially passing on the opportunity to play Ken. But with the studio determined to have him on board since he was their only choice, Gosling was able to find an opening in his schedule that allowed him to sign on as pre-production for the film dragged on.
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With Liu set to work under the direction of Gerwig, he will most likely be playing a role that is challenging yet three-dimensional, as Gerwig's filmography proves she has a knack for writing compelling characters while equally telling a resonating story. And if his energetic performance in Shang-Chi was any indication, Liu could potentially deliver one of his best performances to date. But until more details surface online in the coming months, fans will just have to catch up on some of Liu's previous work.
Other than his big Marvel role, Liu has also received acclaim for his work on series like Kim's Convenience and in Blood and Water. While there's no telling when he will reprise his role as Shang-Chi, aside from the Barbie film, Liu already has a couple of features lined up: the upcoming adventure film Arthur the King, which will see Liu team up with Mark Wahlberg, and the romance film One True Love.
Barbie's plot details remain unknown, but reports indicate the film is now expected to begin its London shoot sometime in 2022. Other than Warner Bros.' attachment, Robbie will also serve as a producer for the film under her LuckyChap Entertainment production company with co-founder and husband Tom Ackerley. The production company was behind films such as I, Tonya, Birds of Prey, and Promising Young Woman. Fans can expect there to be many more big names joining Liu and the rest of the cast announced in the coming months.
Barbie is currently in pre-production.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter