Barbie fans may be upset over the film's perceived Oscars nomination snubs, but Margot Robbie has downplayed the controversy, saying she's "beyond ecstatic" with the film's eight nominations.
Attending a SAG screening of the film on Tuesday night (via Deadline), Robbie addressed the social media reaction to Barbie's absence from two key categories: best actress, for Robbie, and best director, for Greta Gerwig.
"We set out to do something that would shift culture, affect culture, just make some sort of impact," Robbie said.
"And it's already done that, and some, way more than we ever dreamed it would. And that is truly the biggest reward that could come out of all of this."
Barbie is 2023's biggest box-office success, grossing more than one billion dollars worldwide — the first film solely directed by a woman to break the ten-digit mark.
"Obviously I think Greta should be nominated as a director, because what she did is a once-in-a-career, once-in-a-lifetime thing, what she pulled off, it really is," Robbie said. "But it's been an incredible year for all the films."
"There's no way to feel sad when you know you're this blessed."
Barbie's eight Oscars nominations include best picture, best supporting actor for Ryan Gosling, best supporting actress for America Ferrera, costume design, production design, original song and best adapted screenplay.
Robbie said she is "beyond ecstatic that we've got eight Academy Award nominations, it's so wild."
Robbie's comments come after a vocal reaction online to the Oscar nominations. Given the film's feminist positioning, many took to point out the irony that Gerwig or Robbie were not singled out, but Gosling was.
The outcry included Hillary Clinton, who equated the slight to the 2016 US presidential election, where Clinton won the popular vote but lost the electoral college.
"Greta and Margot, while it can sting to win the box office but not take home the gold, your millions of fans love you," she posted on Instagram. "You're so much more than Kenough. #HillaryBarbie"
Gosling released his own statement post nominations, saying "there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie".
Ferrera also told Variety she was "incredibly disappointed" about Gerwig and Robbie's snub.
"Greta has done just about everything that a director could do to deserve it," Ferrera said.
"Creating this world, and taking something that didn't have inherent value to most people and making it a global phenomenon. It feels disappointing to not see her on that list."
Robbie shifted the focus to the overall positive reaction to Barbie, saying she's "never been a part of something like this."
"I've done comic book stuff and that gets a big reaction, but this felt very different," she said.
"I can't think of a time when a movie's had this effect on culture. And it's amazing to be in the eye of the storm."
Despite missing out in major categories, Robbie and Gerwig are both still nominated for Oscars. As a producer, Robbie is nominated for best picture, and Gerwig is the film's co-screenwriter with husband Noah Baumbach.
The Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, March 10 in Los Angeles.