Greta Gerwig Makes History as First Female Director of a Billion-Dollar Movie with “Barbie”
In a monumental moment for Hollywood, Greta Gerwig has become the first woman to have the sole directing credit on a billion-dollar movie. Gerwig directed “Barbie” from a script she wrote in collaboration with her partner, Noah Baumbach. According to Warner Bros., the film is set to finish the weekend with over $1 billion in ticket sales globally, making it the studio’s fastest-selling movie in its 100-year history.
Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution, Jeff Goldstein, expressed his excitement about the success of “Barbie,” stating, “PINK FEVER.” The film has remained at the top of the box office charts in the United States and Canada for three consecutive weekends, raking in $53 million and bringing its domestic total to $459.4 million.
“Barbie” also defies the long-held belief in the industry that “girl” movies have limited appeal. Other films such as “Wonder Woman,” directed by Patty Jenkins, “Captain Marvel,” directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and “Twilight,” directed by Catherine Hardwicke, have shattered this myth by achieving enormous success.
Despite the film’s triumph, Warner Bros. executives were initially hesitant about investing such a substantial sum of money ($145 million) in a “pink” movie. This caution is reflective of a broader issue in Hollywood, where women-centered movies are undervalued due to the scarcity of women in senior leadership roles within the industry.
Ana-Christina Ramón, an author of studies about Hollywood hiring at the University of California, Los Angeles, explains, “Women-centered movies have been undervalued, in large part because studios have so few women in senior leadership roles.” She further adds that many male executives rely on past experiences and stereotypes when making decisions, which perpetuates the undervaluing of women-centered films.
The success of “Barbie” is a testament to the collective efforts of countless individuals, both men and women. Ynon Kreiz, the CEO of Mattel, allowed Gerwig to satirize the “Barbie” brand and its iconic toy. Former Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman, Toby Emmerich, greenlit the project, and current leaders, Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy, saw it through post-production and release. Additionally, Josh Goldstine, Warner’s president of worldwide movie marketing, supported the film with a robust promotional campaign.
However, it was the women involved who played a pivotal role in defying skepticism and propelling “Barbie” forward. Robbie Brenner, the head of Mattel Films, was credited with rescuing the film from development hell. Courtenay Valenti, Warner’s former president of production, recognized the potential of “Barbie” from the early stages and fought for a budget that would allow Gerwig to execute her vision. Valenti, who recently left Warner Bros. to join Amazon Studios and MGM, has been hailed for her contributions to the success of the film.
“Barbie” has catapulted Gerwig’s career to new heights, solidifying her status as a prominent and respected filmmaker in Hollywood. With previous hits like “Little Women” and “Lady Bird,” Gerwig has now directed the biggest box-office hit of her career, earning her three Oscar nominations.
As Gerwig’s groundbreaking achievement continues to make waves in the industry, it serves as a powerful reminder of the need for increased representation and opportunities for women in the film world.