The Box Office rivalry of Barbenheimer
Two of the most anticipated movies of 2023 were released worldwide on 21st July 2023. Barbie and Oppenheimer have hit the theatres together creating buzz on social media and amongst the movie fanatics.
Barbie
Barbie was distributed by Warner Bros and Greta Celeste Gerwig directs the movie. Gerwig is known in the past for movies like Little Woman(2019) and Lady Bird (2017) both of which earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture. For the latter, she received Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Gerwig was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2018.
The movie’s cast includes Margot Robbie as a stereotypical Barbie. Robbie is known for her role in movies like The Wolf of Wall Street (World-Wide collection: $406,878,233) Babylon (World-Wide collection: $63,379,032) Bird of Prey (World-Wide collection: $205,372,791) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (World-Wide collection: $377,617,598), Suicide Squad (World-Wide collection: $746,846,894).
The movie is based on the iconic Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel. Breaking new ground, this film marks the first live-action adaptation of Barbie, departing from the computer-animated direct-to-video and streaming television films of the past. The movie co-stars Ryan Gosling in the role of Ken. The idea of a live-action Barbie film was initially announced by Universal Pictures in September 2009, with Laurence Mark onboard as the producer. However, it wasn’t until April 2014 that development truly began when Sony Pictures acquired the film rights to the beloved character.
The project saw multiple changes in writers and directors, and even casting, with both Amy Schumer and Anne Hathaway initially considered for the titular role. Ultimately, the rights to the film were transferred to Warner Bros. Pictures in October 2018, and in 2019, Margot Robbie was cast as Barbie. The announcement of Greta Gerwig as director and co-writer, alongside Noah Baumbach, came in 2021. The final casting was unveiled in early 2022. Filming took place primarily at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden, located in England, and also at the iconic Venice Beach Skatepark in Los Angeles, California. The production took place from March to July 2022, adding to the excitement surrounding this much-anticipated live-action adaptation of the timeless Barbie franchise.
The movie earned $337,000,000 worldwide as on 23 July as per IMDb. The movie has a rating of 7.6 on IMDb and 80% on rotten tomatoes.
The Barbie movie has coloured the whole social media pink and brands from all over the globe have hopped on to the trend as well.
The Barbie Mansion by AirBnB:
In an unprecedented and exciting collaboration, Barbie’s renowned Malibu Mansion was made available for booking on Airbnb. This unique opportunity allowed fans and enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the world of Barbie and experience the epitome of glamour and luxury by staying in her iconic dream house. The Malibu Mansion offered guests a chance to live like Barbie, surrounded by all the opulent amenities and lavish settings that have defined her iconic lifestyle.
From stylishly designed rooms to chic décor and picturesque views, the experience captured the essence of Barbie’s glamorous life. This groundbreaking initiative by Airbnb and Barbie provided an exclusive and unforgettable stay for those seeking to indulge in the fantasy world of one of the most beloved and iconic fashion dolls in history. It was an extraordinary chance to step into Barbie’s world and create lasting memories in the lap of luxury.
Barbie enters the fashion world with Forever 21
Fashion-forward fans rejoiced as Barbie and Forever 21 collaborated to unveil a breathtaking clothing line inspired by Barbie’s timeless and iconic style. The collection brought to life the essence of Barbie’s fashion-forward choices, offering trendy and stylish outfits that allowed fans to express their own inner fashionista. The partnership between Barbie and Forever 21 brought a delightful fusion of classic charm and contemporary flair to the clothing line.
With designs that mirrored Barbie’s sophisticated and chic taste, the collection became a go-to destination for fashion enthusiasts looking to embrace a sense of timeless elegance in their wardrobe. Barbie’s influence on the fashion world has always been profound, and this collaboration with Forever 21 further solidified her status as a true style icon. The collection offered a delightful array of ensembles that empowered fans to embrace their individuality, all while channelling the essence of Barbie’s unparalleled fashion sense. It was a celebration of style, creativity, and self-expression, leaving fashion enthusiasts inspired to curate their own unique and glamorous looks.
Barbie stands right on fashion time with Fossil
Fossil has unveiled an enchanting collaboration with the beloved and iconic Barbie, presenting a captivating collection that draws inspiration from her timeless allure. The collection showcases a delightful assortment of watches, leather goods, and jewellery, all designed to elevate one’s style and add a touch of Barbie’s signature charm to any outfit.
Among the highlights of this collaboration is Fossil’s introduction of a stunning stackable jewellery collection, featuring pink crystal accents, subtle sparkle, and classic charms that pay homage to Barbie’s favourite things.
Each piece exudes a sense of playfulness and sophistication, capturing the essence of Barbie’s enduring appeal. The partnership between Fossil and Barbie has resulted in a fashion-forward collection that celebrates individuality and self-expression. Whether it’s the chic watches, the luxurious leather goods, or the dazzling jewellery pieces, each item in the collection is a testament to Barbie’s timeless influence on style and fashion. For fans of both Fossil and Barbie, this collaboration offers a delightful opportunity to embrace the spirit of Barbie’s world and infuse their own personal style with a touch of nostalgia and glamour. The collection is a celebration of femininity, empowerment, and the enduring legacy of an iconic fashion doll, making it a must-have addition to any fashion enthusiast’s wardrobe.
Many brands like Maybelline, Channel, Victoria’s Secret, Jaguar, Pepsi, Hershey, Starbucks, etc have also posted content on their social platforms in reference to the Barbie vs Oppenheimer theme.
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is an enthralling biographical drama film set to release in 2023, written and directed by the esteemed Christopher Nolan.
Inspired by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s 2005 biography “American Prometheus,” the movie delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a renowned theoretical physicist pivotal in the development of the first nuclear weapons during the Manhattan Project, marking the dawn of the Atomic Age.
Cillian Murphy takes on the lead role of Oppenheimer, with Emily Blunt portraying his wife, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer. Matt Damon stars as General Leslie Groves, Oppenheimer’s military handler, and Robert Downey Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, a senior member of the United States Atomic Energy Commission. The supporting cast includes Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh.
The project was officially announced in September 2021 after Universal Pictures secured the rights to Christopher Nolan’s screenplay following a bidding war. Cillian Murphy signed on to portray Oppenheimer in October, with other main cast members joining between November 2021 and April 2022. Pre-production commenced in January 2022, and filming took place from February to May. Nolan employed a combination of IMAX 65 mm and 65mm large-format film for Oppenheimer, introducing sections in IMAX black-and-white film photography for the first time in cinematic history. As with Nolan’s previous works, the film prominently features practical effects and minimal computer-generated imagery. The grand premiere of Oppenheimer was held at Le Grand Rex in Paris on July 11, 2023, followed by a theatrical release in the United States and United Kingdom on July 21, 2023, courtesy of Universal Pictures.
Its concurrent release with Barbie sparked the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon on social media, encouraging audiences to enjoy both films as a double feature. With a global box office gross of $174 million, the film has garnered widespread acclaim from critics, particularly lauding the exceptional performances, captivating screenplay, and awe-inspiring visuals.
In the past, Christopher Nolan movies have had such performances in theatres: The Dark Knight ( World-Wide collection: $1,006,234,167), Interstellar (World Wide collection: $773,430,538), Tenet (World-Wide collection: $365,304,105), Inception (World-Wide collection: $870,792,649).
Oppenheimer has collected $174,157,000 worldwide as on 23 July as per IMDb and has a rating of 8.8 on IMDb and 94% on rotten tomato.
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