Randall Park, known for his role as FBI Agent Jimmy Woo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently talked about Hollywood’s response to the massive success of the blockbuster film Barbie. During an interview with Rolling Stone, Park emphasized the importance of creating more movies both created by and centered around women and encouraged a departure from solely exploiting toy-related movie fads.
“I feel like, just in general, this industry is taking the wrong lessons,” Park said. “For example, Barbie is this massive blockbuster, and the idea is: Make more movies about toys! No. Make more movies by and about women!”
The interviewer added, “The lesson here should be that you gave this brilliant independent woman filmmaker in Greta Gerwig the reins to a big blockbuster movie and had Margot Robbie star in and produce it.” To which Park said, “Exactly! Think like that. It’s Greta Gerwig!”
Following Barbie’s record-breaking $163 million opening, Mattel Films intends to leverage its success to expand its movie endeavors. With 14 films in development, including projects based on Hot Wheels, Polly Pocket, and American Girl.
Park’s directorial debut, Shortcomings, hit theaters on August 4. The film is an adaptation of Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel of the same name, and deals with themes of being a young Asian-American male in American society. Its cast includes Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki, Tavi Gevinson, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno, Jacob Batalon, and Timothy Simons.
Barbie continues its theatrical run nationwide through Warner Bros. It’s expected to come to Max this fall.