Margot Robbie unveiled as Barbie in first look image for Mattel movie

Margot Robbie has been unveiled as Barbie in a first look photo from the movie production.

The Suicide Squad star and former Neighbours actor will star as Mattel's iconic blonde doll opposite Ryan Gosling as Ken in Barbie the movie which has been given a release date of 21 July 2023.

Robbie, 31, is shown in character as Barbie, smiling at the wheel of a bubblegum pink Cadillac convertible sports car in front of a bright pink cartoon brick wall and bright orange flowers.

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The Australian actor is wearing a blue and white spotted hairband, a blue and white striped halter-neck and a blue and white beaded bracelet.

Robbie said the new film aims to make “things that feel a little left of centre” and "provoke a thoughtful conversation.”

She told The Hollywood Reporter they aim to, "truly honour the IP [intellectual property] and the fan base and also surprise people”.

The Wolf Of Wall Street star added: “The name itself, people immediately have an idea of, ‘Oh, Margot is playing Barbie, I know what that is.’

“But our goal is to be like, ‘Whatever you're thinking, we're going to give you something totally different – the thing you didn't know you wanted.’”

Robbie also admitted to Vogue magazine: "It comes with a lot of baggage! And a lot of nostalgic connections. But with that comes a lot of exciting ways to attack it."

The film is being written and directed by Little Women's Greta Gerwig.

The 38-year-old writer, director and actor was nominated for the Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the 2017 Oscars for coming of age drama Lady Bird starring Saoirse Ronan 2017, as well as Best Adapted Screenplay in 2019 for Little Women.

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She has co-written the screenplay for Barbie with her partner Noah Baumbach, with whom she has worked on other movies including Greenburg and Frances Ha.

Watch: Ryan Gosling has been cast as Ken in the Barbie movie