Ryan Gosling, one of Hollywood‘s most sought-after leading men, is set to receive a massive payday for his role in the upcoming live-action Barbie movie. According to recent reports, Gosling will earn a whopping $12.5 million to play the plastic doll‘s longtime beau Ken.
The high salary has sparked discussions around Hollywood‘s gender pay gap, as Gosling‘s co-star Margot Robbie is earning significantly less as both the lead actress and a producer on the film.
In this in-depth article, we‘ll explore Gosling‘s lucrative Barbie deal and what it reveals about his star power and career evolution. Read on for details on the actor‘s net worth, his turn as Ken, his early days as a performer, and more intriguing facts behind that eye-popping $12.5 million paycheck!
Contents
- Introduction
- Ryan Gosling‘s Net Worth and Salary History
- Gosling‘s Role as Ken in the Barbie Movie
- Margot Robbie‘s Involvement and Pay
- Background on the Upcoming Barbie Film
- Ryan Gosling‘s Early Life and Career
- Significance of Gosling‘s High Salary for Barbie
- Conclusion
Introduction
The upcoming live-action Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and produced by Robbie‘s LuckyChap Entertainment has been making headlines not just for its famous cast, but also due to Ryan Gosling‘s massive salary.
Gosling is reportedly earning $12.5 million to play the role of Ken – Barbie‘s longtime beau who is known for his chiseled good looks and abundant blond hair.
For comparison, Robbie‘s salary for the lead role has not been officially disclosed but is estimated to be around $12 million or less. As both the top-billed actress and a producer, Robbie is likely earning a backend box office percentage as well.
Nonetheless, the fact that Gosling was able to command such a hefty paycheck playing second fiddle to Robbie‘s Barbie has sparked discussion about Hollywood‘s ongoing issues with unequal pay between men and women.
Let‘s take a closer look at what exactly Ryan Gosling is bringing to the table to justify his elite Barbie payday.
Ryan Gosling‘s Net Worth and Salary History
Ryan Gosling has built up an impressive net worth as one of the most coveted leading men in Hollywood today. His films have grossed over $1 billion worldwide throughout his career.
Gosling‘s current net worth is estimated to be around $70 million.
Some of his most financially successful films include:
- La La Land (2016) – Grossed $446 million worldwide
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – Grossed $259 million worldwide
- The Notebook (2004) – Grossed $115 million worldwide
- Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) – Grossed $142 million worldwide
- Gangster Squad (2013) – Grossed $105 million worldwide
For star-driven films, Gosling is known to command salaries between $5-10 million upfront, and he likely earned additional backend compensation through bonuses tied to box office performance.
His $12.5 million paycheck for Barbie is significantly higher than his usual rate and reflects both his A-list status and the project‘s high profile.
For comparison, some of Gosling‘s recent reported salaries include:
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – $10 million
- La La Land (2016) – $8 million
- The Gray Man (2022) – $20 million
With his established box office draw and critically acclaimed acting chops, Gosling remains highly sought-after by studios and producers. This allows him to continue commanding eight-figure paydays for his roles.
Gosling‘s Role as Ken in the Barbie Movie
In the upcoming Barbie film, Gosling tackles the iconic role of Ken opposite Margot Robbie as Barbie. Plot details are still mostly under wraps, but the movie is expected to put a satirical spin on Barbie‘s doll world.
Photos from the set show Gosling sporting platinum blond hair, spray tanned skin, and Ken‘s signature chiseled physique. The film comes from indie director Greta Gerwig, known for acclaimed films like Lady Bird and Little Women.
[[Placeholder image of Gosling as Ken]]The chance to work with Gerwig‘s vision seems to have been a major draw for Gosling. In an interview, he shared:
"When Greta Gerwig calls you and asks you to be in her movie, you just do it."
While Barbie herself is the protagonist, Ken plays an integral supporting role as her longtime partner. Gosling‘s natural charisma and comedic ability make him well-suited for bringing Ken to life in a new light.
No doubt Gosling‘s star power is a major asset for drumming up buzz for the movie. His passionate fanbase – sometimes jokingly referred to as his "Gosling Girls" – will turn out in droves to see their idol as the plastic hunk.
Margot Robbie‘s Involvement and Pay
While her co-star may be earning over $12 million, lead actress and producer Margot Robbie‘s salary has not been disclosed.
Robbie‘s production company LuckyChap Entertainment is producing, so she likely took a lower upfront fee in exchange for a bigger backend percentage of profits.
Estimates put Robbie‘s salary in the range of $10-12 million. As a powerful producer and the top-billed star playing the title role, she surely negotiated favorable compensation overall.
But the optics of her male co-star potentially out-earning her as Barbie has caused some backlash.
For comparison, Robbie‘s recent salaries include:
- Birds of Prey (2020) – $10 million
- Suicide Squad (2016) – $4-5 million
Robbie‘s current net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. As a rising A-list actress and producer, she has proven her box office power with hits like I, Tonya and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
But the Barbie casting underscores that even profitable actresses still face inequality in pay compared to their male peers.
Background on the Upcoming Barbie Film
Beyond its casting news, the Barbie film has generated buzz for its high-profile creators and rumored plot details.
Some key facts about the movie:
- Directed by Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women)
- Written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, Frances Ha)
- Produced by Margot Robbie‘s LuckyChap Entertainment
- Warner Bros studio is distributing with a planned July 2023 release
- Live-action musical and comedy with satirical take on Barbie world
- Rumored plot involves Barbie being exiled from Barbieland for not fitting beauty standards
In addition to Robbie and Gosling, the impressive supporting cast includes:
- Simu Liu as another Ken doll
- Kate McKinnon in an undisclosed role
- Alexandra Shipp as Barbie‘s friend
- America Ferrera in an unknown role
- Will Ferrell in a rumored villain role
On paper, the creative talent involved and unconventional approach to Barbie make this much more than just a cash grab exploiting a popular brand.
With its mid-summer release, the film is primed to be a major draw for families and fans of its stars. Mattel Studios is certainly hoping the movie will revive interest in Barbie merchandise and branded toys.
Ryan Gosling‘s Early Life and Career
Long before becoming an A-list movie star, Ryan Gosling got his start as a child performer in Canada.
Gosling was born on November 12, 1980 in London, Ontario, Canada. His early career highlights include:
- At age 12, performed as a Mouseketeer on the Disney Channel‘s Mickey Mouse Club alongside Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera
- Starred as the title character on the TV show Young Hercules (1998-1999)
- Moved to Los Angeles and made film debut in Remember the Titans (2000)
- First major lead role in 2001‘s The Believer as a Jewish neo-Nazi
- Breakthrough role in 2004‘s The Notebook opposite Rachel McAdams
Gosling went on to star in diverse indie films and darker material like Half Nelson (2006) before transitioning to leading man roles.
Some other notable Gosling movies include:
- Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
- Drive (2011)
- The Ides of March (2011)
- The Big Short (2015)
- La La Land (2016)
- Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
- The Gray Man (2022)
Now in his 40s, Gosling continues to balance big-budget movies with passion projects that keep him creatively engaged.
His ability to avoid being typecast while maintaining his heartthrob appeal is impressive. Playing Ken lets Gosling showcase his talent for physical comedy and self-parodying his good looks.
Significance of Gosling‘s High Salary for Barbie
Typically known for more serious, emotionally intense roles, Ryan Gosling‘s turn as a living Ken doll marks new territory for the decorated actor.
The fact that Gosling was able to negotiate such an exorbitant salary for Barbie speaks to his rare status as a bankable leading man who avoids overexposure.
With his pickiness over roles, he‘s never faded into obscurity or had his brand diluted by too many flops. Each high-profile part feels like an event, allowing him to maximize his earnings.
Gosling has reached the career stage where he can command eight-figure paychecks for his sheer marquee name, regardless of screen time.
Studios are betting that his inclusion (and six-pack abs) in Barbie will draw in audiences – particularly female viewers who have been fans since The Notebook era.
Whether Gosling is actually worth that $12.5 million price tag is debatable. But the deal shows how much marketing power his name wields in Hollywood.
For Gosling, playing the heartthrob version of Ken created in his own image feels like a smart move at this point. Leaning into the absurdity of his status as a global sex symbol will likely pay off with a hit movie and a new career high paycheck.
Conclusion
Ryan Gosling‘s massive $12.5 million salary for the upcoming Barbie movie is certainly a outlier compared to standard Hollywood pay scales. But it demonstrates the elite level Gosling occupies as a versatile, consistently bankable leading man.
While the amount raises eyebrows, especially compared to Margot Robbie‘s lower pay, Gosling has earned his ability to command top dollar through smart career choices. Driving up hype for Barbie through his passionate fanbase made him well worth the hefty price for Warner Bros and Mattel.
Gosling‘s proven box office track record combined with his offbeat role as plastic doll Ken helps justify the unprecedented pay. Playing into his strengths for comedy and self-parody, the part of Ken seems tailor-made for Gosling‘s talents.
Barbie marks the next chapter in Gosling‘s stellar Hollywood career. Whether the movie becomes a critical darling or just a big popcorn flick, Gosling‘s massive paycheck proves his enduring star power.
