Amy Schumer is in final negotiations to star in a family comedy based on the iconic Barbie doll.
The live-action movie will take a contemporary spin on ideas of beauty, femininity and identity. Schumer will lead the family film set in a land of Barbies where one woman slowly begins to realize she doesn’t fit in. Expelled from the land of conformity, she travels to the real world where she discovers that being unique is an asset.
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Launched in 1959, the Barbie doll is one of the biggest brands in the world, but has had to face criticism and address issues of race, beauty and self-image in modern times. The movie will help move the idealistic and unreal beauty standards of the original Barbie into a contemporary setting. Schumer is expected to help rewrite the script with her sister, Kim Caramele.
Schumer’s casting is a bold move for a comedian who has built her personal brand on raunchy comedy. “Barbie” will be her first role in a family-oriented film.
It wasn’t long, however, before Twitter got hold of the news and sounded off on the Schumer’s involvement with the project.
Schumer has yet to respond to the backlash.