Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach to Tackle Margot Robbie-Produced ‘Barbie’ Movie

Barbie is looking to embolden her fashion sense by going indie.

Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, known for critically adored, quirky dramas, are tackling Barbie, Warner Bros.’ big-screen take on the Mattel toy icon.

The duo will write the script, with Gerwig, who last helmed Lady Bird, eyeing the director’s chair.

Margot Robbie will star and is also producing the project via her LuckyChap banner alongside LuckyChap’s Tom Ackerley. Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner is also producing.

A Barbie live-action feature has been in the works since 2018. When it was set up at Sony, the project had first Amy Schumer then Anne Hathaway attached to star and Alethea Jones directing. When Barbie moved her Malibu Dream House from Sony to Warners late last year, Patty Jenkins was circling as helmer, but nothing was ever formalized.

Gerwig and Baumbach are outside-the-box choices for branded entertainment, but it shows that the studio and producers are committed to trying to make something with a unique voice in order to stand out in a crowded marketplace. And Gerwig and Baumbach are nothing if not unique, principally known for small-scale comedic dramas. Baumbach earned an Academy Award nomination for The Squid and the Whale and last directed The Meyerowitz Stories, starring Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman. Gerwig made a splash helming Lady Bird, which earned her best director and screenplay Oscar nominations.

The two have collaborated on several films, including Mistress America and Frances Ha. Gerwig also starred in Baumbach’s Greenberg.

Gerwig is currently in postproduction on her star-studded Little Women adaptation at Columbia, which will see Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Saoirse Ronan play the March sisters. Baumbach is also in post on his latest film for Netflix, an untitled divorce dramedy starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson.

Gerwig, Baumbach and Robbie are repped by Management 360. Gerwig and Baumbach are also with UTA, while Robbie is with CAA.