While Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer continues to win critical acclaim all over the world, the movie’s star Cillian Murphy is undeniably the man of the moment. Now, the Irish actor has made headlines with a statement about Barbie, the internet-anointed pink rival to his atomic bomb drama. In a recent interview, Cillian Murphy opened up about his desire to play Ken in Barbie 2 if Mattel and Warner Bros. plan on making a sequel. Let’s explore the rumors circulating on this weird but exciting casting choice.
Cillian Murphy as Ken
The Barbenheimer phenomenon has taken over the internet in the past month or two, and it seems to continue despite almost a week since the two movies clashed at the global box office. Interviewers often ask both films’ cast and crew their thoughts on each other’s films.
One such question made its way to Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy through @omleteve on YouTube via Cinefilos. The interviewer asked the 47-year-old actor if he would be willing to play Ken in a potential sequel to the Barbie movie.
Cillian Murphy says he would play a Ken in ‘BARBIE 2.’
“Sure! Let’s read a script.”
(Credit: @omelete) pic.twitter.com/Ax4KgwmXzV
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 25, 2023
Murphy replied, “Sure, yeah. Let’s read the script, let’s have a conversation. I can’t wait to see the movie (Barbie). I think it’s great for cinema to get all these great movies happening this summer.”
Hypothetically, Cillian Murphy will not necessarily replace Ryan Gosling’s Ken in Barbie 2. Different versions of Ken exist in Barbieland. Apart from Gosling, actors like Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, John Cena and Kingsley Ben-Adir all play the Malibu beach doll.
Is Barbie getting a sequel?
As things stand, there are no talks regarding a possible Barbie sequel from both Mattel and Universal Pictures sides. However, the situation could drastically change for the better, given the movie’s massive success at the global box office.
Barbie has already made history, marking the biggest opening weekend at the box office for a film by a female director. The movie earned over $155 million, almost twice as Oppenheimer’s impressive $80 million.
Earlier, Barbie star Margot Robbie had hinted at a potential sequel during the movie’s promotions. She confirmed that there had been discussions about what the future holds for Barbie regarding a cinematic experience to follow the film.
Social media reactions to Cillian Murphy as Ken
Cillian Murphy’s response sent social media platforms like TikTok and the newly christened X (Twitter) into a frenzy. Fans were quick to share their thoughts on what the sequel would feel like if this casting decision manifested into reality.
Barbieland when Cillian Murphy’s Ken shows up https://t.co/wdJkphNB3o https://t.co/DWZbw5Zyab
— zoë rose bryant (@zoerosebryant) July 24, 2023
Cillian Murphy says he would play Ken in a ‘BARBIE’ sequel.
“Let’s read the script.. let’s have a conversation.”
via| @cinefiloos pic.twitter.com/4t1Q2gqZ80
— A Shot. (@ashotmagazine) July 24, 2023
In the viral interview, Murphy also discussed what it felt like to play the father of the atomic bomb in Oppenheimer. He called the legendary scientist ‘naive’ as he thought his invention would somehow end all wars.
https://twitter.com/normelpeople/status/1684049671197696002?s=20
Barbieland when Cillian Murphy’s Ken shows up #BarbieTheMovie #Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/QulBQUhxb3
— @tvreleasedate (@TvReleaseDate) July 25, 2023
Analysts believe that Barbie and Oppenheimer’s combined success at the box office is a great sign for Hollywood. Despite the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, they could revive the industry and restore it to its former pre-pandemic glory.
