Why is Simu Liu sure that “Barbie” is stepping up and dropping its stereotypical beauty standards?

Greta Gerwig invites us all into the world of Barbie this year in the highly anticipated Barbie film, which features an assortment of talented actors and actresses. marvel actor Simu Liu is one such addition to the cast and can be seen in the trailer giving it all in a Fosse-esque dance move. Liu believes that this particular Barbie the production will push the boundaries of diverse beauty, as being on set felt like a celebration of acceptance.

The actor is said to play a version of Ken, although currently the only actor listed as playing Ken, Barbie’s longtime boyfriend/best friend, is Ryan Gosling. Despite being a cinematic marvel, the trailer doesn’t really give us many clues as to what to expect from the movie, only providing brief glimpses into the world of Barbie.

Liu spoke to vanity lounge about the upcoming movie while remaining professionally mum on any spoilers or tidbits (he was a Marvel star, after all). He praised co-writer and director Gerwig for the diverse ensemble she brought together and the way the film promotes inner beauty. At the Unforgettable Gala, an event that honors Asian artists and entertainment leaders, Liu said,

“I remember some of our big complex dance sequences very clearly. Greta was very, very conscientious about who she cast. We were able to engage people of different shapes, sizes and abilities in this dance, all under this message: you don’t have to be blonde, white or X, Y, Z to embody what it means be a Barbie or a Ken.

Although Mattel, Inc. (which owns Barbie) has over time expanded and diversified the doll, giving her different jobs to do, creating different body shapes, and also creating an extremely diverse range of friends, Barbie’s image often advocated a certain “standard” of beauty.

Liu says Gerwig’s film, however, is “really about finding your inner beauty and owning that part of yourself and being the best possible version of yourself.” The actor explained how being on set was more like hanging out with friends and that every day was a celebration of diversity, saying,

“I will say going on set, I was never isolated. I felt like I was going to work every day with a cast that really celebrated themselves and each other’s differences, little it doesn’t matter where we were from. I think when you watch the movie, you’ll see that reflected on the screen.

Along with Liu, the cast includes, Margot Robbie as Barbie, Gosling as Ken, and in undisclosed roles, Emma Mackey, Nicola Coughlan, Kate McKinnon, Ariana Greenblatt, Rita Arya, America Ferrera, Alexandra Shipp, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Cera, Hari Nef and Issa Rae. Helen Mirren will also play a role and it’s her voice you’ll hear narrating the trailer.

Barbie will dance in theaters on July 21, 2023.