The Pink Paint Frenzy: Did The Barbie Movie Truly Cause A Supply Shortage?

The highly anticipated live-action Barbie movie has supposedly caused a worldwide shortage of pink paint. According to production designer Sarah Greenwood, construction of the rosy-hued Barbieland set at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England, led to a surge in demand for a specific shade of fluorescent pink Rosco paint, wiping out the global supply.

However, the paint company has now clarified the situation, providing a fuller picture of the paint shortage.

Lauren Proud, the vice president of global marketing at Rosco, stated that while the movie did indeed utilize all the paint the company had available, there were already supply chain issues due to the pandemic and the damage caused by the Texas freeze in 2021.

Rosco had been struggling to replenish stockpiles and recover crucial raw materials. Despite the challenges, Rosco did its best to deliver the needed paint, acknowledging that the movie production team did “clean us out.”

The Barbie movie set features a larger-than-life three-story Dreamhouse, a Corvette convertible, and a utopian beach town, all painted in bright pink. Director Greta Gerwig aimed for an “authentic artificiality” and wanted the pinks to be vibrant and visually striking. The movie is set to be released on July 21 and is expected to attract both Barbie lovers and those who may not be fans of the iconic doll.

While the notion of a global paint shortage due to a movie production may seem extraordinary, it underscores the influence and cultural impact of Barbie, a symbol of femininity and pop culture. The colorful aesthetics of the film’s set design align with the vibrant world of Barbie, capturing the essence of the beloved doll and her iconic style.

As fans eagerly await the release of the movie, the pink paint shortage adds a touch of whimsy and curiosity to the behind-the-scenes production details.