Barbie’s Original "I’m Just Ken" Plan Would’ve Made The Movie (& Ryan Gosling’s Role) Worse

The original plan for Barbie‘s “I’m Just Ken” song would have hurt Ryan Gosling’s character, and in turn, the movie itself. Ken, played by Gosling, is initially painted as a nothing-but-looks sidekick to Barbie. Upon his exposure to the real world, he learns about patriarchy and brings what he thinks its ideology is back to the other Kens. Playing on the idea of the Kens as “accessories” to Barbies, the Kens end up feuding when they don’t each win the sole attention and affection of their respective Barbies.