Ryan Gosling has responded to people that criticized the actor's age, stating that he's "too old" to play Ken in the new Barbie movie.
The drama started back in April when the trailer for the upcoming movie, which is set to hit theaters on July 21, was released. People quickly took to social media to start a debate on whether or not the 42-year-old was too mature to be playing such a character.
"I don’t want to be ageist but isn’t Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling a little to old to play live action teenage or even early 20’s characters," one person wrote on Twitter, while another added: "How old is Barbie & Ken fr?? Cause Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling look old as hell let’s be fr!!!!"
The latter user also followed their tweet up with: "...When I think of casting a Barbie movie I’m thinking 35 or younger. Ryan look like an old man."
A third even included a screenshot of a comment they'd seen on TikTok about Gosling's age, writing: "They’re out here calling Ryan Gosling OLD..."
And while some may have jumped in to defend the star, it seemed as though a lot of people actually agreed with the stance that he's a little too "grown" to be playing the iconic character.
In the wake of the fiasco, Gosling himself has now spoken out about the issue during a new interview with GQ titled 'The Return of Ryan Gosling.'
When discussing his early life and career and how the attention around his good looks affected him, he admitted that the entire experience was "confusing."
But now on the other side of it, he's being criticized for the very same thing.
The outlet described his reaction as "diplomatic and a little amused" as he responded: "I would say, you know, if people don’t want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with."
"It is funny," he continued. "This kind of clutching-your-pearls idea of, like, #notmyken. Like you ever thought about Ken before this?"
Earlier on in the interview Gosling talked about the fact that Ken didn't actually have a real job or a car or a house or any money.
"And everyone was fine with that, for him to have a job that is nothing," he continued. "But suddenly, it’s like, 'No, we’ve cared about Ken this whole time.' No, you didn’t. You never did. You never cared."
"Barbie never f***** with Ken. That’s the point," he said before adding: "If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So your hypocrisy is exposed. This is why his story must be told."
Gosling then jokes: "I care about this dude now. I’m like his representative. 'Ken couldn’t show up to receive this award, so I’m here to accept it for him.'"
Did you ever think you'd live to see the day Ryan f****** Gosling is being criticized for his appearance? Oh how times have changed!
Barbie is set to hit theatres on July 21.
