As a millennial woman who grew up playing with Polly Pocket, I was initially excited about the prospect of a Hollywood movie centered around the tiny doll, especially with Lena Dunham at the helm. However, news of Dunham stepping away from directing the project brought a sense of relief.
Dunham explained her decision by acknowledging the incredible success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie, stating that she felt she couldn’t replicate that magic. She emphasized her desire to create projects that felt uniquely hers, projects that no one else could make.
While I enjoyed the Barbie movie, I have to admit that there’s a certain exhaustion in seeing Hollywood continuously produce sequels and spin-offs in an attempt to replicate previous successes. Do we really need Barney and Hot Wheels movies to try and recapture the magic of Barbie?
Although I believe Dunham could have made an enjoyable Polly Pocket movie, her decision to step back and focus on original art is admirable. It’s a refreshing move in a Hollywood landscape often dominated by the pursuit of pre-existing IP. In the end, creativity and originality will always be more valuable than simply churning out more Mattel products.
