With the first-look image for the live-action Barbie starring Margot Robbie, just dropped, people have questions. Is the movie going to be a pink explosion like we hope? Will it stick to its roots and have a presence and image of a strong-willed, fun, kind, smart, and career-oriented woman we’ve come to know and love? And will it, if it comes down to it, have the iconic “Barbie Girl” song by Aqua?
The answer is “no” according to Variety.
Ulrich Møller-Jørgensen, who manages Aqua lead singer Lene Nystrøm, told Variety, “The song will not be used in the movie.” He wouldn’t expand on the reasons why and the studio hasn’t released a comment on the song. For fans of the 1997 hit, which sold over 1.4 million copies in the U.S., it’s kind of a punch to the gut because an iconic song about Barbie should be in the actual movie for her.
And of course, the internet had thoughts about that, even when taking into account that Mattel sued Aqua for the song before both parties were advised: “to chill.” Some online fans were quick to throw down their favorite suggestions for their singer of choice to take on the Barbie mantle and come up with their own feature song. Some thought that Doja Cat or Nicki Minaj should take it on.
Others questioned how such a movie like Barbie could happen without the iconic song while promising to “riot at dawn.”
While others asked important questions like, “How will she know she’s a Barbie girl in a Barbie world?”
Either way, this is great free publicity for Barbie and Aqua.
Haven’t listened to “Barbie Girl” by Aqua in ages? Listen to it below:
Barbie is set to hit theaters on July 21, 2023.