It has been a few weeks since we were introduced to Stereotypical Barbie and her Barbieland. When the Greta Gerwig directorial hit the cinemas, it had quite an impact on moviegoers. Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film made many feel seen with scenes that depict the imbalance in both worlds. Turns out a personal experience may have inspired the director to create these parts of Barbie.

The question, ‘Why did Greta Gerwig make Barbie?’ has been a prominent one since the film’s release, and the director has given several answers in the past. But in a recent podcast appearance, she revealed the ‘real’ reason she created the film.

This is why Greta Gerwig made Barbie

Ahead of Barbie’s release, Gerwig shared, on multiple occasions, why she made the film. Her reasons ranged from a deep interest in the Mattel doll and what it signified to how contradictory Barbie was. But when she appeared on SmartLess, a podcast hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, she decided to reveal the truth behind choosing the project.

Gerwig’s conversation with Bateman, Arnett, and Hayes saw her talking about her family, which consists of a “fun” partner, two baby boys, and a teenage stepson. The Ozark actor was quick to comment on how she seemed to “swimming in testosterone,” and the Little Women had a hilarious response to it: “That’s why I made Barbie.” While that was a joke, her intent in making the movie was not.

It all started when Margot Robbie, who is also a producer, invited Gerwig over and pitched the idea to her after acquiring the rights. The director said yes. When she started writing, she expected someone else to be the director, but once she was done writing, she loved it and didn’t “want anyone else to do it.” The rest was history because the movie is a smash hit.

Her decision to direct Barbie was easy. It is perhaps why she stands by it despite the criticism she is facing. But her decision to direct wasn’t always so effortless. She once feared the idea.

Gerwig once feared being a director

After smash hits in Little Women and Barbie and ahead of directing Chronicles of Narnia, you wouldn’t expect Gerwig to say that she wasn’t going to be a filmmaker. But this director is all about surprising people. As she revealed in the podcast interview, it took her quite some time to speak up about her desire to direct. Somehow, she feared that she would ruin it.

2017 changed it all, and we saw her debut feature film, Ladybird, which was a critical and financial success, winning 84 awards, including two Golden Globes. Looking at the films that followed, cinephiles are definitely thankful that she took the leap. However, years later, Gerwig still feels she is just translating the language of cinema.

And whether she made Barbie to deal with the testosterone swimming or not, the film certainly gave women a place to feel heard and seen, if nothing else.