In an interview with Steve Dinneen of City A.M., Oliver Stone certainly went after “Barbie” in a big way. As noted, the director initially seemed to forget about his documentary “Nuclear Now,” particularly when Dinneen brought up “Barbie” and jokingly wondered if Stone would be interested in helming a potential sequel.
“Ridiculous,” Stone told Dinneen. “Ryan Gosling is wasting his time if he’s doing that s*** for money. He should be doing more serious films. He shouldn’t be a part of this infantilization of Hollywood. Now it’s all fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, including all the war pictures: fantasy, fantasy. Even the ‘Fast and Furious’ movies, which I used to enjoy, have become like Marvel movies. I mean, how many crashes can you see?”
Though City A.M. ran the interview, Deadline reported it as well, which is why Stone went after that particular trade publication. In any case, apology aside, Stone’s comments seem pretty unequivocal about “Barbie” helping to “infantilize” Hollywood and how Gosling, who plays Ken in the movie, should appear in more “serious” — by which he likely means “legitimate” — projects. Sadly, even though Stone wished the film well during Oscar season, it seems as if Academy voters share Stone’s divisive view.
