It’s a good day for the not insubstantial number of Amy Schumer-haters and ultimately may also be a good day for the movies.
The sensitive, woke actress has pulled out of playing Barbie in Mattel’s live-action take on their popular brand of toys for girls.
Schumer was also co-writing the script for the movie, which Sony is still set to make once it finds her replacement. Her departure is surprising given that she’d previously passionately defended her involvement in the project against mean-spirited doubters who said her appearance, weight and saucy attitude made her unsuitable to play willowy Barbie. Naysayers had been flooding social media with petitions for weeks decrying the casting.
Schumer told Variety: “Sadly, I’m no longer to commit to Barbie due to scheduling conflicts. The film has so much promise, and Sony and Mattel have been great partners. I’m bummed but look forward to seeing Barbie on the big screen.”
In withdrawing from Barbie, slated to begin shooting on June 23, Schumer cited a promotional tour for her upcoming film Snatched and pre-production on another new movie, She Came to Me, a comedic drama which also features Steve Carell and Nicole Kidman.
But Snatched will be released six weeks before Barbie starts shooting and She Came to Me is not expected to start shooting until the fall. So could not Schumer really not have squeezed Barbie into her packed schedule? Were there other reasons behind the departure?
We’ll don’t know and can probably live with never finding out…
