‘Barbie’ producer Mark Ronson reveals ‘I’m Just Ken’ was nearly cut from the film, Internet says 'it should have been’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Box-office hit 'Barbie' captivated audiences worldwide with its colorful visuals, sharp satire, and an infectious soundtrack. However, one particular musical number, 'I'm Just Ken,' almost didn't make the final cut.

In a recent reveal, producer Mark Ronson shed light on the behind-the-scenes battle to keep Ryan Gosling's show-stopping performance in the film.

Despite initial skepticism from the studio, director Greta Gerwig fought tooth-and-nail to preserve the song, which she believed was crucial to exploring Ken's identity crisis and emotional journey, as per TODAY.

Mark Ronson reveals 'I'm Just Ken' failed to resonate with audience during initial screening

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Ronson recounted the tense moments following the initial screening, where the song's comedic approach failed to resonate with the audience.

"At that first screening, the song wasn't working. I panicked," Ronson admitted. "The humor wasn't translating, and Greta had to fight. The studio asked her how much she really needed it, and she said, 'With every inch of my body'."

Gerwig was adamant about retaining the song, which serves as a crucial moment in Ken's journey of self-discovery. According to Ronson, the scene and song were meant to explore Ken's identity crisis – who is he beyond his relationship with Barbie?

"Ken is ridiculous. But Greta's point was that nobody should ever be laughing at a character," Ronson explained.

"We feel their pain, as crazy as that sounds about a guy wearing a white mink and two pairs of sunglasses."

Mark Ronson initially didn't envision Ryan Gosling singing 'I'm Just Ken'

Initially, Ronson didn't envision Gosling, who plays Ken, singing the song. However, the actor's deep connection with the track's message led him to request performing it himself.

Gerwig then reworked the scene to showcase Gosling's vocal prowess.

"He really got [that] it had to walk this line of not being funny or parody," Ronson told Vanity Fair.

"But obviously, the song is also kind of ridiculous at times. So he was really amazing, and when he really did start hitting the big notes, I was like, this dude is a vocal powerhouse!"

Despite the initial skepticism, 'I'm Just Ken' has become an integral part of the 'Barbie' phenomenon, alongside Billie Eilish's haunting ballad 'What Was I Made For?'

Internet voices displeasure over inclusion of 'I'm Just Ken' in 'Barbie'

Many social media users voiced displeasure over the inclusion of 'I'm Just Ken' in the 'Barbie' movie.

One X user expressed a collective sentiment, stating, "Oh, I speak for us all when I say we wish it was cut."

Another user went a step further, bluntly stating, "It should have been."

A third user weighed in on the matter, sharing a critical perspective: "They were so close to making the movie perfect by removing that scene and that song."

Echoing a similar sentiment, another person remarked, "Would have been a way better movie with less Ken."

A more skeptical user suggested that the impact of cutting the song might not have been significant, stating, "They could have cut it, and it wouldn’t have made a difference."

In a more nuanced response, a sixth user mused, "Oh, maybe this song wasn't really a needy tbh..."

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