Ryan Gosling channelled his ā€œKen-ergyā€ to defend himself against those who think heā€™s ā€œtoo oldā€ to play doll Ken in the new ā€œBarbieā€ movie.

The origin of this silliness began back in April when the first ā€œBarbieā€ movie trailer was released and a debate on social media ensued, with some users voicing their opinion that the 42-year-old actor appeared too ā€œgrown upā€ to play Ken.

ā€œIf people donā€™t want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with,ā€ Gosling said in a new GQ interview published on Wednesday in response to those skeptics.

He went on to say that he thinks this discourse is ā€œfunnyā€ given that ā€œfor 60 years, (Kenā€™s) job has been beachā€ and that ā€œeveryone was fine with that, for him to have a job that is nothing.ā€

ā€œBut suddenly, itā€™s like, ā€˜No, weā€™ve cared about Ken this whole time.ā€™ No, you didnā€™t. You never did. You never cared,ā€ he said, adding that ā€œif you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So your hypocrisy is exposed.ā€

The person who does care about Ken, and deeply so, is Gosling, who admitted with a laugh that he now feels like Kenā€™s ā€œrepresentative.ā€

Gosling also spoke about the various factors that compelled him to take on the role of the iconic Mattel doll in the Greta Gerwig-directed comedy, with one of the main draws being the opportunity to be part of a film that put female characters out front. The film stars Margot Robbie, alongside Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Hari Nef and America Ferrera, among many others.

But in terms of his impetus to take on the role of Barbieā€™s main squeeze, Gosling talked about how his two daughters, whom he shares with his longtime partner Eva Mendes, play with Barbie and Ken dolls.

ā€œI did see him, like, face down in the mud outside one day, next to a squished lemon,ā€ Gosling told the outlet of his daughterā€™s Ken doll, adding that such a sight inspired him to think, ā€œThis guyā€™s story does need to be told, you know?ā€

ā€œBarbieā€ will hit theatres on July 21.