Potential Empowering Scene for Barbie in ‘Toy Story’

“The intertwining of Barbie and the ‘Toy Story’ universe runs deeper than you might expect.

The highly anticipated Barbie film starring Margot Robbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, has finally hit theaters, and it’s no surprise that it’s been a massive success at the box office. The anticipation for the movie has been overwhelming, with fans gearing up with cosplays, crafting memes, and even planning double features with Oppenheimer, affectionately dubbed “Barbenheimer,” which has led to sold-out screenings. While it’s remarkable that a Barbie film took this long to materialize, Barbie has undeniably left a mark on pop culture, spawning a line of direct-to-DVD movies and being parodied in shows like The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live. However, before her big-screen debut, Barbie played an interesting role in the beloved ‘Toy Story’ franchise.

The original ‘Toy Story’ film’s impact cannot be overstated. Released in 1995, it not only solidified Tom Hanks’ status as “America’s Dad” but also propelled Pixar into the spotlight. Though not the first film to extensively use computer-generated imagery for characters, ‘Toy Story’ combined a captivating high concept—what toys do when their owners aren’t around—with a poignant emotional narrative. Barbie had a significant presence throughout the ‘Toy Story’ films, even if her role wasn’t always substantial.

Barbie Could Have Been a Part of the First ‘Toy Story’

During the development of ‘Toy Story,’ the script underwent numerous revisions, including transforming Woody from a puppet into a cowboy doll and altering his character traits. The most significant change involved the inclusion of Barbie. The original climax of ‘Toy Story’ involved Barbie rescuing Woody and Buzz from Sid Phillips. Joss Whedon, who contributed to the final script, envisioned a Barbie inspired by Linda Hamilton’s character in ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day.’ Unfortunately, Mattel vetoed the cameo, as the toy company was selective about character appearances.

Barbie’s absence from the film aligned with Whedon’s reputation. The creator of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ Whedon often featured strong, blonde heroines in his work. Barbie, usually considered a “girls’ toy,” was given an action-oriented role in Whedon’s initial script. Eventually, Mattel allowed the use of one of their characters, Mr. Potato Head, who played a significant role in all four ‘Toy Story’ movies. Mattel’s name even surfaced humorously in a scene where Buzz meets other toys and exclaims, “I’m from Mattel! Well, not really.”

Barbie (and later Ken) Made Appearances in ‘Toy Story’ Sequels

Barbie assumed a more prominent role in the ‘Toy Story’ sequels, particularly ‘Toy Story 2’ and ‘Toy Story 3.’ ‘Toy Story 2’ featured an entire aisle of Barbies at Al’s Toy Barn, with one Barbie serving as a guide for Buzz and his friends. Additionally, Andy’s sister Bonnie received her own Barbie. However, the toys end up at Sunnyside Day Care when their owner goes to college. At Sunnyside, Barbie discovers a Ken doll, voiced by Michael Keaton, and later becomes entangled in a plot involving the conniving Lotso. Barbie’s moment to shine arrives when she interrogates Ken by dismantling his outfits. The original concept of Barbie saving the day finally came to fruition in a ‘Toy Story’ film.

Barbie shares a connection with another Disney movie, as Jodi Benson lends her voice to Barbie in all her various iterations. Yes, Barbie’s voice is provided by none other than the voice behind The Little Mermaid’s Ariel. This isn’t the first time Benson has voiced multiple Disney characters, but she manages to imbue Barbie with a distinct personality separate from Ariel’s. While Ariel is a dreamy, big-hearted character yearning for life on the surface, Barbie is adaptable and resourceful due to her various identities. Benson’s ability to differentiate between the two characters results in two unique performances.

While Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ offers a fresh perspective on the world of the iconic doll, the ‘Toy Story’ series also provides a distinctive glimpse into Barbie’s character. It might not be plastic, but it’s undoubtedly fantastic. So, before fans don their hot pink ensembles and head to the cinemas, revisiting Barbie’s role in this series is certainly worthwhile.

‘Barbie’ is currently in theaters, and ‘Toy Story,’ ‘Toy Story 2,’ and ‘Toy Story 3’ are available for streaming on Disney+.”

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