While it’s true that a boatload of fluorescent pink paint from Rosco was used in the production (we know this because production designer Sarah Greenwood and set designer Katie Spencer spilled tea with Teen Vogue), legend has it that’s the only reason why was that no shade was available was somewhat exaggerated.
Vulture spoke to Rosco’s vice president of global marketing, Lauren Proud, and got a few more details. It turns out shade was already in short supply due to the global supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and all of that was exacerbated when the absolutely brutal multi-day deep freeze we’ve had here in Texas in 2021, much damaging materials from which Rosco made its paints.
Still, “Barbie” can wholeheartedly claim that they used everything that was available and probably could have used more. So they’re not exactly lying when they say they’ve used up the world supply of that particular color. There is just a bit of background information which, pardon the pun, adds some color to the great story.
Barbie has an amazing cast including Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Dua Lipa, John Cena, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Rhea Perlman, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, Hari Nef and Issa Rae. The film is being directed by Greta Gerwig from a screenplay she co-wrote with Noah Baumbach and will hit theaters this summer, on July 21, 2023 to be precise.
And it will be bright pink.