Greta Gerwig's unique Barbie: Simu Liu reveals why he joined Margot Robbie's iconic film
It's not every day that the worlds of martial arts action heroes and iconic dolls collide. Yet for Simu Liu, the "Shang-Chi" superstar, diving into the imaginative universe of Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" was an adventure too intriguing to pass up.
Barbie
Taking a Chance on 'Barbie'
As reported by Variety, while Simu Liu was admittedly unfamiliar with the contours of Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie's “Barbie” project, he was swayed by the sheer enthusiasm of a junior agent at his agency. "He was like, ‘If I could stake my career on any one script, it’s the ‘Barbie’ script. I really think you should do it,’" Liu recalls.
With such a glowing recommendation, Liu went all in, submitting a self-tape audition. Little did he know, a twist of fate involving his dance background would be his ticket into this unique rendition of Barbie's world.
Dancing His Way to Barbie's Heart
Gerwig, during an in-person discussion with Liu, gushed about her fondness for watching men dance. Liu, seizing the moment, shared his experiences of being part of a competitive hip-hop team. "She audibly guffawed, she giggle-screamed — and then I got the part," said a gleeful Liu.
Describing his experiences on the set, Liu paints a vivid picture of an eclectic, innovative movie-making environment. The film may not be tagged a musical, but Liu’s dance moves seem to be in demand with numerous rehearsals.
A Glimpse into the Gerwig Universe
Working with the genius of Greta Gerwig seems to be as much a thrill for Liu "When you’re doing a scene and it’s working, you hear, ‘HAHAHAHA!’ It’s the best feeling in the world," shared Liu, expressing his adoration for the director’s quirky ways.
Barbie hit theaters worldwide on July 21st and received critical acclaim and has grossed over 1 billion dollars worldwide.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)