As Barbie mania continues to sweep the globe, with the film claiming top spot at the UK box office for three weeks in a row, director Greta Gerwig has become the first solo female director to see one of her films earn more than $1bn (£785m).
The hit film achieved the impressive figure two days after Greta turned 40 - and just 17 days after being released in a blaze of glory to universal acclaim.
Warner Bros was delighted, having funded the film, which follows the story of the Mattel doll, played by Margot Robbie, as she leaves Barbieland with her hapless boyfriend Ken (Ryan Gosling) after suffering an existential crisis.
Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, cochairs and co-chief executives of Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, said the film's success was "testament to Greta's brilliance and to her commitment to deliver a movie that Barbie fans of every age want to see".
If that were not enough excitement for one week, Greta was also feted on her 40th birthday with a surprise flashmob organised by Ryan. When the director was getting ready for what she thought was a Pilates class, a group of men burst into the studio and danced to one of the film's songs, I'm Just Ken.
In the video, which was posted on the film's official Instagram page, Greta can be seen laughing and wiping away tears.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
One of the relatively low-profile director's biggest supporters has been Margot - a producer on the film who said in an interview: "I think my pitch in the greenlight meeting was that the studios have prospered so much when they've been brave enough to pair a big idea with a visionary director.
"And then I gave examples like 'dinosaurs and [Steven] Spielberg', pretty much naming anything that's been incredible and made a ton of money for the studios over the years.
This story is from the August 21, 2023 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 21, 2023 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
AS 'THE DIPLOMAT RETURNS KERI RUSSELL
ON HAVING FUN WITH RUFUS SEWELL, MEETING THE U.S. AMBASSADOR AND BEING STRAPPED TO TOM CRUISE
FROM HIS CHALLENGING CHILDHOOD TO HOLLYWOOD'S HOT LIST BARRY KEOGHAN
ON BEING DRAWN TO STRONG WOMEN AND ENJOYING LIFE WITH HIS LITTLE BOY
AS 'THE SUBSTANCE' IS RELEASED MARGARET QUALLEY
ON MAKING THE LEAP FROM BALLET TO HOLLYWOOD
BUSY MUM-TO-BE AND DUTIFUL DAUGHTER PRINCESS BEATRICE
TEAMS UP WITH SISTER PRINCESS EUGENIE TO SUPPORT THEIR FATHER IN HIS EXILE FROM ROYAL LIFE
CHAMPIONING WOMEN'S HEALTH THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH
HONOURS 60 YEARS OF GROUNDBREAKING CHARITY
AS ONE DIRECTION REUNITE TO BID FAREWELL TO FORMER BANDMATE LIAM PAYNE
HUGS AND TEARS AS MOURNING FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY GOODBYE
CELEBRATING HER GAME-CHANGING NEW CONCEALER VICTORIA'S SECRETS
THE DESIGNER SHARES HER TOP SKINCARE TIPS AND REVEALS WHICH PRODUCTS HARPER LOVES TO STEAL
CHANNELLING MARY POPPINS TO CHAMPION LITERACY THE QUEEN
JOINS CELEBRITIES AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS TO APPLAUD YOUNG WRITERS' 'ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WORK'
CONTINUING A FESTIVE TRADITION - WITH A TINY NEW TREAT TO DELIGHT VISITORS WINDSOR CASTLE AT CHRISTMAS
STAFF DECK THE HALLS - AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ROYAL DOLLS' HOUSE
SNAPPING UP RECORD-BREAKING £60M MANSION IN MIAMI THE BECKHAMS
WE GO INSIDE THEIR BILLION-DOLLAR LIFESTYLE AS THE FAMILY PREPARE TO EXPAND THEIR BRAND