‘Barbie’: Simu Liu Details ‘Painful’ Waxing to Star in Film

Simu Liu is totally primed for his next role.

The Marvel star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings bare it all for Barbie, writer/director Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film based on the iconic Mattel doll franchise. While Margot Robbie plays the animated title character, Liu is rumored to be playing an alternate Ken alongside lead actor Ryan Gosling. And that totally smooth Ken means Liu had to be hairless.

“Waxing was an education, to say the least,” Liu told The Independent. “It was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I have such a newfound admiration for the incredibly brave women who go through this on a monthly basis.”

Do we dare to ask if Gosling pulled off the same cosmetic feat for the role?

While the “Barbie” storyline was kept under wraps ahead of the July 21, 2023 release date, Liu reveled in the mystery of it all.

“Honestly, the online discourse gives me life,” Liu continued. “With every casting announcement or piece of news, they’re like, ‘What is this?’ And that’s perfect – the less you know about it, the better.”

Liu announced that he will be showing his dance moves for the comedy film.

“Greta talked about how much she loved watching men dance because it’s such an expression of artistry that you’re not used to seeing in typical men,” Liu previously said. “She was laughing hard, she was giggling and she was screaming – and then I got the part.”

Liu confirmed that “Barbie” is not a musical, but that the film is “wild” and “incredibly unique.”

“I wish I could just show you what we do day to day because it’s crazy,” he added.

Even Liu’s agent was convinced that Gerwig’s Barbie screenplay was one of the best he had ever read.

“He literally said that, literally,” Liu recalled. “He was like, ‘If I could build my career on one script, it would be the ‘Barbie’ script. I really think you should.'”

In “Barbie,” Robbie plays a doll who escapes her fantasy world, only to be overwhelmed by reality. Ryan Gosling stars as Ken, and Will Ferrell is the CEO of a toy company rumored to be modeled after Barbie maker Mattel, who is also producing the film.

Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emerald Fennell, and Sex Education breakouts Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey and Connor Swindells round out the ensemble cast.

You can find all the details about “Barbie” here.

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