Helen Mirren says that in a deleted scene from BARBIE, Olivia Colman tried to take on the role of narrator and fought for it

Helen Mirren played a key role in this year’s biggest film, Barbie. She was the narrator of the film, but not only that, she also played herself, the prestigious and beloved actress Helen Mirren, who fans were thrilled to hear describe the events of the story. But her throne was almost usurped by interference Olivia Colman in a scene that didn’t make it to the final cut.

Mirren explained in an interview with Variety:

“It was a very funny scene with Olivia Colman playing drunk and us fighting over who was the real grande dame of British actresses. She comes in and tries to take on the role of the narrator and I had to push her away.

Mirren points out that the scene is clearly a parody, praising the British actors as wonderfully supportive. But it’s the kind of joke that works for that reason alone – and because Mirren is held in such high esteem that no one can argue when she’s presented as the one she usurps. That’s why, when director Greta Gerwig sent her the film’s script, the role had not been written as “Narrator”, but rather as “Helen Mirren” – she had no one else in mind to play the trusted, omniscient voice of God who rules this film world.

It seems like it would have been a funny scene, but I’m happy with the final cut of the film. Another deleted scene we previously talked about would have featured Helen Mirren helping Midge (Emerald fennel) as she goes into labor. Would you have liked to see one of these scenes play out?