Lovable loser Michael Cera is getting dolled up for the new 鈥淏arbie鈥� movie, in which he鈥檒l portray a discontinued and long-forgotten character in the toy line.
The Brampton, Ont. actor, known for roles in 鈥淪uperbad鈥� and 鈥淎rrested Development,鈥� has been announced as part of the extended cast for the summer comedy, playing a role simply known as 鈥淎llan.鈥�
鈥淏arbie鈥� is a spin on the popular children鈥檚 toy franchise with Margot Robbie in the titular role and London, Ont.-born Ryan Gosling as Ken.
鈥淜im鈥檚 Convenience鈥� actor Simu Liu, who was raised in Mississauga, Ont., plays another version of Ken who clashes with Gosling鈥檚 Ken in the latest trailer released Tuesday.
While the specifics of Cera鈥檚 character haven鈥檛 been revealed, a discontinued Barbie character named Allan was introduced in the 1960s.
The red-haired Allan was marketed as Ken鈥檚 鈥渂uddy鈥� who was dressed in a beach jacket and swimming trunks. He could also fit into Ken鈥檚 clothes.
Allan was introduced during an expansion of the Barbie product line, which included the addition of Barbie鈥檚 sister Skipper and best friend Midge, who is Allan鈥檚 girlfriend.
The Allan dolls were sold for a few years before toy manufacturer Mattel replaced him with a new character named Brad.
Other cast members newly confirmed include pop singer Dua Lipa as mermaid Barbie, Issa Rae as president Barbie and Kate McKinnon as rock star Barbie.
鈥淏arbie,鈥� directed and co-written by Greta Gerwig, arrives in theatres July 21.
鈥擠avid Friend, The Canadian Press
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