The timeless connection that Barbie has with the color pink led to paint shortages when it came to making the sets for the highly anticipated live-action movie.
As reported by Business Insider, director Greta Gerwig said that so much pink paint was used in Barbie that suppliers ran out of the color. Pink was used in the cast's wardrobes, the furniture and props they used, and the architecture and scenery around them. With so much of one fluorescent shade of Rosco paint needed for the film, "The world ran out of pink," as Gerwig said. "I wanted the pinks to be very bright, and everything to be almost too much."
Barbie is based on the iconic doll which has been a staple of toy stores for generations. Clothing and accessories for Barbie are very frequently pink, as well as the toy's packaging, which has led to sections of a store devoted to toys aimed at young girls being referred to as "the pink aisle." As an homage to these roots, Gerwig said "maintaining the 'kid-ness' was paramount" and that she kept in mind "what made me love Barbie when I was a little girl."
Recreating Barbie's Dreamhouse
Production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer were behind the making of the Dreamhouse, Barbie's home. As seen in some new set photos from the film, the two-story penthouse is an amazingly accurate realization of the playset it's based on, with a pink slide going from the top floor into a pool and plenty of pink decor both inside and out. The mountains and palm trees in the backdrop are hand-painted rather than added with CGI, part of Gerwig's intent to create a vibe of "authentic artificiality." RELATED: Barbie Gets Inappropriate in the Movie's Twisted Story Trailer
Barbie stars Margot Robbie as the titular character, who is banished from Barbieland for not being perfect enough. She decides to seek happiness and acceptance in the human world, but struggles to accept her new reality. There will be several other versions of Barbie in the movie, including Kate McKinnon as "Weird Barbie," Issa Rae as "President Barbie," and Dua Lipa as "Mermaid Barbie." Barbie's boyfriend Ken gets some time in the limelight as well, with the foremost male doll portrayed by Ryan Gosling.
Barbie will paint the theaters pink on July 21.
Source: Architectural Digest via Business Insider