Matt Bomer Explains Why He Chose Bradley Cooper’s ‘Maestro’ Over Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’

April 11, 2025: In a candid revelation, actor Matt Bomer shared that he made the difficult decision to step away from the role of Ken in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie to focus on his role in Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic, Maestro. While Barbie was one of 2023’s biggest blockbusters, Bomer chose to prioritize his time with Maestro, a decision he credits to the deep collaborative efforts of Bradley Cooper throughout the film’s production.

Bomer, who could have appeared in two of the Oscar Best Picture nominees of 2023, explained his decision in an interview with Business Insider, as quoted by Variety. Despite being initially excited about the Barbie project, he decided to step away to fully commit to Maestro, which would allow him to focus more on the intimate and immersive experience that came with working alongside Cooper.

“Even though my part in Maestro was smaller, Bradley was so collaborative with me from the get-go,” Bomer explained. “It was such an immersive experience that to have just flown in from London to film my scenes [in Barbie] really quick and fly back to London — I feel like Maestro wouldn’t have been the same experience for me.”

In Maestro, Bomer played David Oppenheim, the lover of Cooper’s portrayal of Bernstein. Although his role is primarily seen in the first half of the film, Bomer reflected on how the process of working on Maestro shaped his approach toward acting and film projects.

“It was a way of working that I’m really grateful that I got to be exposed to,” Bomer said. “I wouldn’t have, I think, if I were trying to just squeeze it in.”

Bomer’s decision to focus on Maestro was not just about the collaborative atmosphere but also about ensuring that his time and energy were not divided. It was a move that highlighted his commitment to his craft and the importance of deeply connecting with a project.

Currently, Bomer stars alongside Nathan Lane and Nathan Lee Graham in Hulu’s new comedy series, Mid-Century Modern, which centers around three gay men suddenly living together after an unexpected death. The series showcases Bomer’s versatility in a completely different genre, continuing to establish him as one of the industry’s most dynamic actors.