Timothee Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan, two of Hollywood’s most bankable young stars, have quickly climbed the ranks to become A-list actors. Much of their success can be attributed to the talented director Greta Gerwig, who cast them in her last two critically acclaimed films. With such a successful partnership, it seemed natural for them to reunite once again in Gerwig’s latest project, Barbie. And guess what? They almost did.
In a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Gerwig revealed her desire to have her “children” cameo in the Barbie universe, saying:
Well, it was always going to have to be like a sort of smaller thing because [Saoirse] was actually producing at the time, which I am so proud of her for. And of course, it’s brilliant. But it was going to be a specialty cameo. I was also going to do a specialty cameo with Timmy, and both of them couldn’t do it, and I was so annoyed. But I love them so much. But it felt like doing something without my children. I mean, I’m not their mom, but I sort of feel like their mom.
Chalamet and Ronan first collaborated with Gerwig in 2017’s coming-of-age dramedy Lady Bird, before returning to work with her again in 2019’s period drama, Little Women. While Chalamet mostly played supporting roles in both films, Ronan played the lead in both films, earning herself an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in Little Women.
Ronan earlier revealed that she was originally set to portray another Barbie in the film, stating:
I was supposed to do a cameo because I live in London and they were [filming] there. There was a whole character I was going to play — another Barbie. I was gutted I couldn’t do it.
However, the 29-year-old actress was busy with the film Outrun, based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir. Ronan is not only starring but also producing the film, which will be directed by Nora Fingscheidt. The story follows Rona, a woman who recently left rehab and decides to return to her childhood sheep farm on Scotland’s Orkney Islands after being away for over a decade.
As for Chalamet, the prolific actor is one busy guy, and it’s hard to say which project kept him from reuniting with Gerwig. He’s got his hands full reprising his role as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two, and he’s also taking on the chocolatier role of Willy Wonka in the upcoming musical fantasy, Wonka.
Filming for Wonka started earlier in 2021, while the Dune sequel began shooting in July of the previous year and wrapped up in December. So, unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, Chalamet couldn’t make it for the Barbie cameo.
Fans might be a bit let down that Chalamet and Ronan won’t have a Barbie cameo, but hey, we’ve got something to cheer about. Emma Mackey and John Cena are stepping in for a Barbie and Ken cameo, and that’s definitely something to make up for the loss.
