Margot Robbie's Barbie film became a global sensation in 2023, dominating the box office and surpassing the billion-dollar mark. The movie garnered immense anticipation even before its release, with fans eagerly wearing pink apparel as they flooded theaters. However, what is intriguing is how Robbie cleverly pitched the movie to Warner Bros., using Steven Spielberg as bait.
As both the actress and producer of Barbie, Robbie played a pivotal role in its success. To convince Warner Bros. to embrace the film's pink frenzy, she strategically mentioned the name of iconic director Steven Spielberg. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter roundtable, Robbie explained her tactics, stating, "When you pair Spielberg with dinosaurs, what do you get? A billion dollars.
When you pair Greta and Barbie, you are going to make a billion dollars."
Robbie drew parallels between Spielberg's renowned franchise Jurassic Park and her vision for Barbie. She aimed to showcase that Barbie would achieve similar success and become a billion-dollar movie. Her pitch ultimately resonated with the board members, and Barbie became a reality.
However, Robbie faced several challenges in convincing Warner Bros. to support the film. One hurdle was the substantial budget required for the all-pink theme.
Additionally, the production company was concerned about potentially losing a significant portion of the audience by targeting exclusively "not-men." Robbie addressed these concerns by emphasizing the importance of creating a four-quadrant movie that would appeal to all viewers.
Despite initial hesitation, Robbie's gradual and persistent approach paid off. She encouraged open dialogue and assured the team that stepping outside their comfort zones would lead to success. Once the script was finalized, everyone involved became more comfortable with the unconventional concept, including toy company Mattel, which became a character in the film.