Pre-release mania for the “Barbie” live-action movie continues as it heads for theatrical premiere July 21. Mattel toys just unveiled a raft of products tied to the movie based on its iconic doll of a blonde beach-loving girl.
And the production has allegedly consumed so much pink paint for its movie sets that there’s word of a supply pinch for the Barbie character’s favorite color.
Regarding toys, there are 11 Barbie doll sets tied to the movie (some are for her sidekick Ken). The film-related merchandise ranges from Movie Doll Pink Western Outfit to Movie Pink Corvette Convertible to Movie Doll President in Pink and Gold Dress. There are other merchandising accessories too.
“In continued celebration of the film, Mattel will also be releasing an array of movie-themed products with over 100 brand partners across fashion, beauty, accessories and more starting this month,” says a June 1 press release from Mattel. “The line of Barbie™ the Movie dolls features looks fans will see in the movie, reflecting the signature styles of Barbie, Ken, and new characters as they traverse through Barbie Land and beyond.”
The movie has generated enormous pre-release publicity as news reports show the Barbie doll translation to a theatrical film. The movie looks to be big. Expect girls of all age to see the movie multiple times once it’s in theaters.
“Barbie” stars Margot Robbie with Ryan Gosling as love-interest Ken. Headquartered in the Los Angeles area, Mattel is a leading toy company whose properties include Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl and train-world Thomas & Friends.
Though perhaps a bit of exaggeration for publicity, sources connected to “Barbie” say that the movie consumed so much pink color there was a Hollywood paint shortage (the movie was filmed in the Hollywood area and the United Kingdom). The Barbie Land movie set had pink houses, lampposts, fences and roads. The Covid supply-chain issues and a 2021 ice storm in a paint manufacturing region also contributed.
If the pink paint shortage is true, it recalls the short-fall of black tee-shirts triggered by the 1989 “Batman” theatrical. Sales of black shirts with the Batman logo overwhelmed suppliers.
The author recalls reporting that the Barbie doll joined the feminist movement for the first time in the early 1980s. Mattel launched a Barbie kit as a career girl and the author wrote at the time: “Barbie is no longer bubble-headed blonde whose ambitions go no farther than volleyball on the beach and Ken. She now has a career!”
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