Sharon Stone’s battle to bring Barbie to big screen: From laughter to box office triumph

Sharon Stone’s battle to bring Barbie to big screen: From laughter to box office triumph. The actress revealed that, at the time, studio executives were not even willing to consider the basic idea of a Barbie movie.

By Megan Sauer

In a revealing twist, renowned actress Sharon Stone has recently shared a disheartening experience from her past in the film industry. Through a comment on Instagram, Stone shed light on a frustrated attempt to bring Barbie to the big screen in the 1990s.

While commenting on a post by America Ferrera, co-star in the Barbie movie released in 2023, Stone revealed that at the time, studio executives weren’t even willing to consider the basic idea of a Barbie movie.

In 2019, the idea of bringing the iconic Barbie doll to the big screen was met with enthusiasm when Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig ‘s vision finally managed to catch the attention of Warner Bros., culminating in a breakout success four years later, as the film was crowned the highest-grossing film of 2023, with US$ 1,446 million collected worldwide.

However, there was a time when such a proposal would not have even been considered, regardless of who was in charge.

Sharon Stone shared details about this frustrating episode in her career in a post on America Ferrera ‘s Instagram (via Den of Geek ): “I was laughed at in the studio when I pitched the idea for Barbie in the ’90s with the backing of the head of Barbie,” Stone said.

“We have come a long way. Thank you, ladies, for your bravery and resilience.”

Stone’s comment paints a vivid portrait of the resistance and shortsightedness of the film industry at the time, suggesting that the idea of a film based on Barbie was not taken seriously. Stone’s revelation highlights the significant transformation the film industry has undergone in terms of its acceptance of fresh and diverse ideas in recent decades.

The fact that the Barbie movie has achieved the status of the highest-grossing comedy of all time and received praise from critics and audiences alike is a testament to the positive evolution in the perception of film projects focused on toys and brands. recognized.

It is interesting to see how ideas that were once disparaged, like Stone’s proposal, have evolved into successful and culturally relevant projects today.

Stone’s narrative adds a layer of appreciation for the progress made and highlights the pivotal role that figures like Robbie and Gerwig have played in challenging conventional perceptions and bringing to the big screen a unique version of Barbie that has resonated with audiences around the world. world.

In retrospect, the film industry’s initial laughter at Stone’s proposal serves as a reminder of the importance of persevering in the pursuit of creative projects, even when the industry may show resistance.

Sharon Stone ‘s history with Barbie has become a testament to the transformative power of time and how ideas considered “out of the question” in the past often become amazing successes in the future.

In this context, the Barbie movie has not only left its mark at the box office and with critics, but has also highlighted the importance of giving voice to diverse perspectives in film creation.

Stone’s account not only reveals a previously unknown chapter of her career, but also contributes to the ongoing conversation about the evolution of the film industry and its openness to innovative ideas that challenge established norms.