How Did Ryan Gosling Transform For His Role As Ken In Barbie?
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The hype is already very strong for the Barbie film which is set to hit theaters in July of 2023. Things got off to a rocky start, with Amy Schumer exiting the film. Ultimately, Margot Robbie was cast, and further hype was created when it was revealed that Ryan Gosling had signed on a Ken. A photo of his transformation was posted and fans completely lost it. We'll take a look at what he did to get in Ken shape, both in and out of the gym.
How Did Ryan Gosling Transform As Ken In Barbie?
Its release is set for the summer of 2023, yet the hype is already very real for the Barbie film. Back in 2019, Margot Robbie was already speaking about what she hoped the film would accomplish. “I think it’s a great opportunity to put some positivity out in the world and a chance to be aspirational for younger kids,” Robbie told Variety’s Marc Malkin.
During the filming, Robbie would discuss alongside Variety that there was pressure to perform, especially given what a nostalgia act Barbie really is for fans. “Right, it comes with a lot of baggage! And a lot of nostalgic connections. But with that come a lot of exciting ways to attack it. People generally hear ‘Barbie’ and think, ‘I know what that movie is going to be,’ and then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they’re like, ‘Oh, well, maybe I don’t...’”
It is now Ryan Gosling's turn to add hype for the film. He did exactly that when his Ken promotional photo went viral. Once again, the actor was able to completely transform but it was no easy process, as one can imagine.
Co-Star Simu Liu Admitted Ryan Gosling Was In The Gym A Lot
When asked who did the gym better during Barbie, Simu Liu did not hesitate with his answer, claiming that Ryan Gosling was a lot more intense. "Definitely Ryan -- 100 percent," Liu said. "He's definitely, like, a gym in the morning, gym after work kinda guy."
In all likelihood, Liu is referring to Ryan splitting up his gym day, likely focusing on fasted cardio in the morning, and working on sculpting his physique later on in the day.
Not only was Ryan dedicated in the gym with his workouts, but Liu would further reveal that the Ken actor outdid him when it came to the diet part as well. "As much as I I believe that I do have a work ethic, I also love food a lot," Liu added. "Just hearing little bits and pieces about, you know, just his strict diet regimen and just like how much emphasis he puts on taking care of himself and his body, I’m like, I respect it, I respect it. I’m gonna have some soda."
During his ET interview, Liu decided to keep the rest of the info pertaining to the film a mystery, as the hype is already very real a year prior. What we do know at this point, is how hard Gosling worked to transform, and it was more than just a change of hair color...
Ryan Gosling Was Very Strict With Diet And Workouts
Gosling is very quiet when it comes to his dieting and training tactics. However, he did compare his muscles to pets alongside Men's Journal. Although the comparison sounds odd, it does kind of make sense...
“After a while, they’re like pets because they [his muscles] don’t do anything useful. But you have to feed them and take care of them. Otherwise, they’ll go away.”
In terms of his training commitment, Gosling put a major emphasis on his upper body, especially his shoulders and upper chest, which really pop on-screen aesthetically. Workout wise, Ryan used a bodybuilding type of split, focusing on controlled movements and hypertrophy, which really just means pumping up his muscles properly and avoiding heavy movements.
The real difficulty to staying lean is in the kitchen. Ryan was consuming at least one gram per pound of protein, in order to really recover from his workouts. Carbs were likely moderate to keep his look and muscles full - though his fat probably took a hit, at a lower amount on the road to the film.
Ultimately, Ryan did a great job - and that's especially true given he's now in his 40s.
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