As this year’s Oscars ceremony approaches, the big question on everyone’s mind is will Ryan Gosling take the stage to belt out a crowd-stirring rendition of “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie? Gosling picked up a Best Supporting Actor nom for his role as Barbie’s most popular accessory, so it seems like a no-brainer to get him to perform the wildly popular musical number. Unfortunately, there’s been no definitive word on Gosling’s or the Academy’s plans.
In a new cover story for Variety, Gosling offers the closest thing yet to a status update after remaining mum on the topic.
“I still have not been asked,” Gosling said. “It might be too much of a risk to have me do it. I don’t know how that would work. But I’m open to it.”
However, there is a powerful force working behind the scenes to get Gosling to perform the song live in front of a crowd full of his Hollywood peers. That force: Barbie herself Margot Robbie.
He squints, in the middle of another brainstorm, as he tries to put himself back in Ken’s shoes, this time singing the song on a huge Hollywood stage. (“Don’t worry,” says Robbie on the subject, “we’re poking Ryan whenever we can: ‘Do it. Come on. It’ll be fun.’’’)
Gosling asks me how I’d like to see the song performed, and I tell him it can’t be scaled down for the Oscars: Fans of the movie will want to see “I’m Just Ken” as an extravaganza.
“It can’t be pared down?” Gosling says, nodding. “OK. It’s anthemic. So we’ll need a budget.”
Robbie, who’s been remarkably gracious about not picking up a Best Actress nom for the film, seems hell-bent on getting Gosling on that stage so Barbie fans can see the film being celebrated.
“I would love nothing more,” she told Variety. “That would make me — and the world — so happy.”
(Via Variety)