‘Barbie’ Live-Action Movie Update: Will Ferrell Joins Margot Robbie-Starrer

Will Ferrell has officially joined the highly anticipated “Barbie” live-action movie that will bring together some of the most in-demand stars in Hollywood right now.

The 54-year-old funnyman has closed a deal to appear in the film that will be led by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who will play Barbie and Ken, The Hollywood Reporter announced Monday.

Ferrell will portray a CEO of a toy company that may or may not be Mattel. Plot details are still under wraps, so there is no way to confirm this tidbit for now. But based on earlier reports about the project, fans should not expect it to be a typical take on Mattel’s world-famous doll.

The project would be Ferrell’s second feature film since Netflix’s 2020 project, “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.” His first would be Apple TV’s “A Christmas Carol”-inspired pic, “Spirited,” which is set to debut later this year.

Ferrell was most recently seen in Apple TV’s limited black comedy series “The Shrink Next Door” opposite Paul Rudd.

The actor’s “Barbie” casting comes a month after 14-year-old actress Ariana Greenblatt was tapped to join the project in March. Information about her role was not disclosed.

In February, “Saturday Night Live” star Kate McKinnon was also chosen to be part of the live adaptation, making the movie her reunion project with Robbie. The two of them previously worked together on 2019’s “Bombshell.”

Other cast members include “Ugly Betty” star America Ferrera and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Dragons” actor Simu Liu.

“Barbie” will be directed by Greta Gerwig, who was responsible for the Academy Award-nominated films “Lady Bird” and “Little Women.” Gerwig will also pen the script alongside Noah Baumbach.

Aside from acting, Robbie will also produce the film through her LuckyChap production banner with Tom Ackerley. David Heyman and Robbie Brenner are also producing through Heyday Films and Mattel, respectively.

Executive producing are LuckyChap’s Josey McNamara and Mattel’s Ynon Kreiz.

The project does not have a release date yet, but it is expected to hit theaters sometime in 2023. Production officially started at Warner Bros.’ Leavesden Studios in London early this year.