Barbie’s links to Scotland amid Oscars controversy – Ncuti Gatwa and Braveheart

took over the world in July 2023, dominating box offices following months of teasers, trailers and incredible marketing.

Upon the release, thousands flocked to the cinema in their best pink attire to celebrate egalitarianism, inclusivity and self-acceptance.

It comes as no shock that the billion-dollar blockbuster film was considered one of the biggest movies of last year.

And now, the Mattel fantasy-comedy has hit headlines again and this time, for some controversial reasons.

It comes after Barbie director Greta Gerwig and star and producer Margot Robbie were snubbed in two major categories – best actress and best director – during the Oscars nominations, which were announced on Tuesday.

Ryan Gosling – who was nominated for his supporting role as Ken – described it as an “understatement” to say he is disappointed that Gerwig and Robbie were not nominated in their respective categories.

“I am extremely honoured to be nominated by my colleagues alongside such remarkable artists in a year of so many great films,” Gosling said in a statement shared with US outlets.

“And I never thought I’d be saying this, but I’m also incredibly honoured and proud that it’s for portraying a plastic doll named Ken.

“But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film.

“No recognition would be possible for anyone on the film without their talent, grit and genius.”

Now, following the award drama we take a look at all the Scottish links to the billion-dollar hit, because it turns out, there are quite a few!

Barbie cast inspired by Braveheart speech

The cast of the highly-anticipated Barbie movie were inspired by a Scottish man playing the bagpipes while quoting Braveheart before filming began, according to director Greta Gerwig.

In an interview with GQ last year, she opened up on Ken star Ryan arranging for the cast to hear bagpipes before the movie began filming.

The director revealed that she and Margot hosted a sleepover for the actors playing the various Barbies in the movie, and invited the various Kens to drop by.

Unable to make a sleepover, Gosling decided to send a bagpiper in his place.

Gerwig recalled: “This man, this Scottish man in a full kilt, showed up and played the bagpipes.

“Then he read a speech from Braveheart. And then he left.”

She added: “Sometimes, you just need to hear it.”

She revealed that Gosling “always can sense very quickly what would be the most delightfully funny thing to do next, and then he does it”.

Ryan Gosling’s love for Ncuti Gatwa

Scots star Ncuti Gatwa starred in the film as one of the Kens who lives in Barbie Land.

In August 2023, following the release of the hit film, Ncuti opened up on how he ‘just drowned’ in Ryan Gosling’s eyes as he worked alongside The Notebook star.

Speaking in an interview ahead of his appearance at the Elle Style Awards, where Ncuti was awarded the Modern Pioneer Award, the Glasgow actor shared his awe at meeting Gosling for the first time.

“I was so nervous I hardly spoke for the first month [on set].” he told Elle.

“There was a time when I was talking to Greta and I turned around and Ryan Gosling was looking at me, and his eyes were so blue that I just… fell over. I just drowned in his eyes.”

And the feeling is most certainly mutual, as in 2022 Gosling appeared on BBC The One Show, praising his soon-to-be co-star after he was spotted wearing unofficial Doctor Who merch.

Gosling said: “Ncuti, I am such a big fan of Ncuti’s, he is the coolest and him playing Doctor Who is like the most exciting thing that’s happening right now, so I’m here for it.”

Gosling and Doctor Who fans rejoiced in their adoration for the love-fest between the two actors.

“THE Ryan Gosling saying that Ncuti being the Doctor is the most exciting thing happening right now[…] what kind of bonkers but brilliant timeline are we living in,” one fan wrote.

Another added: “Ryan Gosling and Ncuti Gatwa gassing each other up is my favourite thing to happen on social media this week.”

Sharon Rooney as Barbie

Glasgow’s Sharon Rooney also appeared in the box-office hit as a version of Lawyer Barbie.

Best known for her roles in My Mad Fat Diary and Two Doors Down, the Scot praised the movie whilst chatting to Rollacoaster Magazine.

She said: “I think what Barbie’s taught me is that you can do anything and be everything because she’s a woman who – literally – does everything.”

She added: “Barbie’s been a brilliant job to be surrounded by people who are working so hard but are all just really good people. In summary, Barbie’s taught me a lot about just going for it and believing.”

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