Barbie fans think poignant name of key character in trailer is no coincidence

26 May 2023 , 10:40
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Margot Robbie as Barbie in the upcoming live-action film (Image: Warner Brothers)
Margot Robbie as Barbie in the upcoming live-action film (Image: Warner Brothers)

Barbie fans were delighted after the second trailer for the upcoming live-action movie was released on Thursday, May 25.

In the clip, Margot Robbie's character Barbie could be seen heading into the "real world" with her counterpart Ken, played by Ryan Gosling.

The doll realises elements of her "perfect" life are slowly falling apart, and they go to discover the "truth" – and get arrested in the process.

Since the trailer dropped fans have been rushing to social media to share their excitement, with one fan saying: "Yeah, this movie's going to be a masterpiece".

Among the praise for Greta Gerwig's vision for Barbie and Ken, many also shared a very poignant theory after spotting a character in the trailer who shared a profound statement – but they don't think it was just any background character.

Margot Robbie insisted on being totally nude in film for authentic scenes eiqruidtidxinvMargot Robbie insisted on being totally nude in film for authentic scenes
Barbie fans think poignant name of key character in trailer is no coincidenceBarbie could be seen speaking to an elderly woman on a bench (Warner Brothers)

At the end of the trailer, Barbie can be seen speaking to an elderly woman, when a voiceover says: "Humans only have one ending. Ideas live forever," while a tear rolls down the doll's cheek.

Fans who had subtitles on realised the character is called Ruth – and they believe the character refers to none other than Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie.

Eagle-eyed viewer Liam took to social media to share: "Noticed this in the captions of the Barbie trailer. This character shares the same first name as Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie."

Barbie fan Danielle took to Twitter to say: "I have never had more faith in Greta Gerwig and Barbie than I do after seeing them put RUTH HANDLER (who passed away in 2002) in the Barbie movie."

Barbie fans think poignant name of key character in trailer is no coincidenceFans think the character Ruth is based on Barbie's creator (AFP/Getty Images)

Journalist Courtney Howard also spotted the same thing, sharing: "The Ruth in this scene where Barbie is speaking with an older woman must be referring to Ruth Handler, Barbie's creator (who, in real life, passed away in 2002)."

However, others have speculated that Ruth refers to the voiceover and not necessarily the woman on the bench – because they believe the voice is of Matilda actress Rhea Perlman, whose role in the film has not yet been revealed.

Indie filmmaker Matt shared: "This line only continues my conspiracy theory that Rhea Perlman is playing Ruth Handler."

Barbie fans think poignant name of key character in trailer is no coincidenceKen (Ryan Gosling) and Barbie (Margot Robbie) head to the 'real world' in the upcoming live-action (AP)

Meanwhile, another user Matt said: "The voiceover sounded more like Rhea Perlman – the only major cast member who doesn't have a character name listed on IMDB."

Ruth, who died in 2002, was the co-founder of Mattel Toys alongside her husband Elliot Handler and created Barbie in 1959.

The doll was named after her own daughter Barbara, while Ken was named after her son, and was introduced two years after Barbie's debut.

First look at Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn as she takes over from Margot RobbieFirst look at Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn as she takes over from Margot Robbie

What's your theory about the Barbie trailer? Let us know in the comment section below.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz

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