Warner Bros. first-look image of Margot Robbie’s DCEU’s Harley Quinn) as an incredibly perfect living version of the classic toy—with her perfectly-coifed blonde hair, almond-shaped blue eyes, and fun striped halter paired with a polka-dot headband. However, there is a subtle change hidden in the first-look photo that may allude to Margot Robbie’s Barbie embodying more than just the toy’s idealistic physique.
Created in 1959, Barbie dolls have monopolized the toy market for over 60 years. Made by American toy company Mattel, Inc, Barbies were the country’s first dolls to portray adult features and came decked out in 1950s style sporting a zebra-striped bathing suit, bangs, and cat-eye makeup. Over the decades, Barbie’s world grew to include many accessories including endless clothing, the Barbie Dream House (which debuted in 1962), and her signature pink convertible, not to mention her boyfriend Ken (played by Ryan Gosling in the Barbie movie) and a major posse of friends to party in her pool.
And while the Barbie first-look photo doesn’t give too much away about the film’s plot, there may be a clue hidden in the photo about Margot Robbie’s Barbie personality. Scrawled on the side of Barbie’s classic ride is car manufacturer Chevrolet’s iconic silver nameplate with the letters “ev” highlighted in blue, revealing that Barbie now drives an electric vehicle. This could mean that Margot Robbie’s Barbie is environmentally conscious—an extremely appropriate update for a film releasing in the world of the 2020s.
Known for her epic Dream Cars, Barbie has always been a bit of a car hound. Barbie’s pink 1950s Chevy Corvette convertible is undoubtedly one of the doll’s most iconic rides in her large collection, but the original toy was a plastic version of the manufacturer’s gas-operated model. Now, in the movie’s first-look photo, Barbie’s car is a throwback to her classic set of wheels but with a notable update. This likely means that Margot Robbie’s Barbie is environmentally-conscious, a personality trait that will likely ring true with a Gen Z audience, whose ages currently range from 9 to 24 years old. As pointed out by Greg Petro (via Forbes), Gen Z shoppers “prefer to buy sustainable brands, and they are most willing to spend 10 percent more on sustainable products.” The generation is notably focused on conservationism, something that the new Barbie movie seems to capitalize on by featuring the electric version in its very first reveal from the film.
This is a smart update for the film which is already battling the ever-present idea that Barbie’s physicality is what defines her. While Margot Robbie’s Barbie is a testament to the doll’s historical physicality, this first-look image promotes the idea that the Barbie movie will be more nuanced than simply being about a beautiful girl and the ups and downs of Barbie’s pinked-out world. Here’s hoping that the Barbie Dream House is brought to screen complete with solar s and that Barbie’s Dream Car cup holder has a sustainable glass water bottle in it.
