During a recent Q&A session, Michael Cera, co-star of the blockbuster hit ‘Barbie’ revealed that Ben Affleck was originally slated to make a cameo in the movie’s fight scene.
The scene in question involves Cera’s character having to fight with multiple Kens dressed as road workers. As per The A.V. Club, Cera said that Affleck had to pass on the opportunity due to another commitment, and this unexpected turn of events led to him stepping in to fill the void:
“I wasn’t even supposed to fight in the movie. Am I allowed to say what it was supposed to be? It was supposed to be Ben Affleck. Right? Am I allowed to say that? I think Ben wanted to do it, but he was directing his movie. They’re like, ‘Okay, Ben’s out; something has to happen here. So you’re gonna fight them.’ So, I had to jump in with the stunt team.”
Cera then humorously recalled the issues he faced while preparing for the fight sequence, mentioning his recovery from COVID-19 and the physical toll the preparation took on him:
“I had just gotten over COVID, and they had me training, and I almost died. Just doing the warm-up! I had to lie down in my trailer, and they sent the nurse to see me, and I was sent home. So then we had a second rehearsal, and I learned it. That’s the story, basically.”
Affleck’s cameo could have been a memorable crossover moment, especially given the movie’s existing references to the DC universe and popular films.
‘Barbie’ Disappointed Many in Academy Awards
Directed by Greta Gerwig and written in collaboration with Noah Baumbach, ‘Barbie’ became a cultural phenomenon, grossing $1.44 billion worldwide and securing its place as the highest-grossing film of 2023.
Robbie, who also served as an executive producer, initially feared that the movie would be a disaster. Her concerns were proven unfounded as the movie was both a critical and commercial success. Still, ‘Barbie’ was not without its controversies.
Although the film secured eight nominations at the Academy Awards, Robbie and Gerwig were absent from the Best Actress and Best Director categories. This sparked discussions among critics, fans, and other famous names, such as Michelle Yeoh and Stephen King.
As for Affleck, he has a pretty busy schedule with nine upcoming projects. Michael Cera is also set to appear in multiple films, such as ‘Jonty,’ ‘Sacramento,’ ‘Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,’ and ‘The Phoenician Scheme.’
