Neither “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig nor Margot Robbie, who plays the iconic doll, were nominated for the Oscars on Tuesday, unlike Ryan Gosling as Ken, sparking a wave of disillusionment and even anger across the United States.
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Many netizens emphasized the irony of the situation given the themes developed in the film.
“The naming of Ken, but not Barbie, is literally the plot of the movie,” writer Brad Meltzer said of the role.
Because “Barbie”, a global blockbuster for summer 2023, is intended to be a devastating satire on the difficulties women have in getting their talents recognized.
Both Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie have received numerous nominations and awards in Hollywood, and their presence on the Oscar list was expected.
Although “Barbie” received eight nominations, including one in the Best Picture category, the absence of Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie in the Best Director and Best Actress categories disappointed fans and cast members.
Ryan Gosling was one of the first to express his incomprehension.
“It is a great honor for me to be nominated […]”But there is no Ken without Barbie and there is no 'Barbie' movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie,” he said in a statement.
“To say I’m disappointed they weren’t nominated in their respective categories would be an understatement,” he added.