Amy Schumer’s profile only continues to rise, as she’ll soon play her biggest part yet — or, more appropriately, her smallest. The comedian/actress just signed on for the titular role in Barbie, the live-action Sony Pictures film based on the super popular Mattel toy line.
While Schumer’s comedy is decidedly quite R-rated, this is a strictly PG outing. In a fish-out-of-water story reminiscent of Splash or Big, Barbie follows Schumer’s character in Barbieland, which she’s soon kicked out of, forcing her into the real world. One assumes a “beauty comes from the inside” message will follow accordingly.
In addition to taking on the lead role, Schumer will also contribute to Hillary Winston’s screenplay with her writing partner and sister, Kim Caramele. While Schumer’s film schedule is especially crowded these days, the female empowerment take on the material motivated her to move around a few other projects so she could take this one on.
Walter Parkes, Lori MacDonald and Amy Pascal will produce, and while there’s no director in place at this time, rumor has it Thea Sharrock (Me Before You) is being sought for the job.
Barbie is currently aiming for a summer 2018 release. With Schumer involved, this long-gestating project will no doubt become a top-priority for the studio. And, if all goes well, we might just be looking at a Harbo-esque invasion of Mattel toys hitting theatres very soon.