SmartLess Podcast: "Margot Robbie"

Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Guest: Margot Robbie
Release Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This lively episode welcomes the versatile and effervescent Margot Robbie for a wide-ranging conversation spanning her journey from the Gold Coast of Australia to Hollywood powerhouse, both in front of and behind the camera. Amidst signature SmartLess banter, Margot discusses her origins, career milestones, producing ambitions, and her experiences on some of the biggest film sets of the past decade. The group riffs on acting, the Australian-to-Hollywood pipeline, the chaos of early days in LA, and the seismic impact of "Barbie," all while keeping the tone playful, spontaneous, and uncensored.

Main Themes & Purpose

Margot Robbie’s career trajectory: childhood passions, acting origins, international breakthrough, and critical film roles.
The realities, anxieties, and serendipities of a rising actor moving to the US.
Inside stories on major productions: "Wolf of Wall Street," "I, Tonya," "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and "Barbie."
Jumping into producing and founding LuckyChap Entertainment.
Navigating fame, vulnerability, and work-life balance in Hollywood.
Playful group chemistry as Margot trades stories and jokes with Will, Sean, and Jason.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Margot’s Origin Story & Early Ambitions

Margot describes growing up on the Gold Coast, Australia. “No one's in the biz in my family, I had never met anyone who'd even so much as walked on a film set.” (16:21)
Early obsession with movies, constant reenactments as a kid ("I'd regurgitate... reenacting something. My mom kept being like, how do you remember all this?" – [16:53])

2. First Steps Into Acting

“You do one unpaid thing, it leads to another unpaid thing... eventually someone pays you to do it.” Margot recounts the snowball effect of student films and commercials [18:04].
Lands her first paid TV job in Melbourne while finishing high school, then quickly joins the iconic Australian soap "Neighbours".

3. Life, Career, and Choices after "Neighbours"

On “Neighbours” for three years—learned both the grind and camaraderie of long-running television [27:22].
Weighs options: "Either you can't keep up and get fired, you stay for decades, or you make the jump to America." (28:41)
“There's an Aussie mafia ready made for you,” Margot jokes about the network of supportive Australian expats in LA [29:10].

4. Arriving in America: Chaos & Luck

No Uber, not old enough to rent a car, ends up borrowing (and crashing) cars from “the guy” and later from "the dodgy Romanian"—with mysterious warnings to never open the trunk. (Hilarious anecdote spanning 29:48–32:42)
Memorable quote: “I was just doing my makeup, changing on the way to auditions…not paying attention. It was a bit of a chaotic time.” [31:39]

5. Breakthrough: "Pan Am" and "Wolf of Wall Street"

First US break with "Pan Am", where she roomed with Christina Ricci in New York [33:49].
Audition story for “Wolf of Wall Street:” Self-taped audition, called into the room with “Marty and Leo”—doesn’t realize “Marty” means Scorsese at first [36:43].
Iconic moment: Improvises slapping Leonardo DiCaprio in the audition, books the role on the spot.

“I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now... but this character wouldn’t do that. I just went whack and slapped him instead... They burst out laughing and Marty goes, 'That was amazing.'” — Margot Robbie ([39:27]–[41:24])

6. Adjustment to Suddenly Exploding Fame

Didn’t realize she’d feature so much in “Wolf of Wall Street”; was unprepared for the attention:

“I didn't really brace myself for how things would change after that… life got weird pretty quickly.” [43:11]
Family’s reaction to explicit scenes:

“I'm like naked… my brother is right next to me… we didn't talk for months after that.” [44:03]

7. Major Film Milestones & Collaborations

Brief discussion of "Focus" (with Will Smith), "Suicide Squad" (Harley Quinn), and "I, Tonya" (the iconic mirror scene, which was unscripted and “electric”—[45:48]).
Working with Craig Gillespie and Emerald Fennell: “We've produced Promising Young Woman, then Saltburn, and now Wuthering Heights together” [44:44], [62:44].

8. Inside "Barbie": Genesis, Stakes, and Trust

LuckyChap pursued rights aggressively, pitching Mattel and CEO Ynon Kreiz that they'd protect and elevate the Barbie brand [58:25–59:34].
Greta Gerwig was Margot's dream writer/director from the outset; the film’s message and “cultural relevance” were integral.
On convincing the studio:

“It was completely just trust us. And also, leave them alone. Like, you cannot—they’re not going to get on the phone with you… We have to leave them alone. That’s the first time.” — Margot ([60:40])
“I think it was probably the best bit of producing we ever did, was getting all those deals treatment deals, no approval over the script, but approval over the treatment...” [60:16]

9. On Sequels and the Future

No “Barbie” sequel planned, but “I’m open to anything with Greta, to be honest” ([61:05])
Margot recommends “The Magicians,” a “grown up, dark Narnia” fantasy series [61:35].

10. Wuthering Heights & Producer Life

New film “Wuthering Heights” with Jacob Elordi.
On chemistry and mutual work ethic (“we approach our work in a very similar way… set up for success because the script was so good, and Emerald’s writing is incredible” — [65:45])
Margot gets emotional at every viewing: “Every time. I have never watched it (without crying)...It’s just an incredible film” ([63:35]).

11. Personal Notes & Playful Banter

On her marriage and LuckyChap co-founder Tom: “He can cook a steak better than any restaurant… he calls me Dragoon when I’m hungry.” ([67:17]–[67:58])
All the hosts gush about Margot’s success, work ethic, and groundedness, with much affectionate teasing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Margot Robbie’s advice for young actors:
“You do one unpaid thing, it leads to another unpaid thing…eventually someone pays you to do it.” ([18:04])
On that infamous Wolf of Wall Street audition:
“I thought, wow, I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now…But this character wouldn’t do that…So I just went whack and slapped him instead. It was dead silent. Then they both burst out laughing, and Marty goes, ‘That’s great. That was amazing.’” ([39:27])
On "Barbie" and creative risk:
“If we're doing a Barbie movie, we're gonna be saying something, and it has to be culturally relevant, and this has to be elevated and cinematic…But do understand, like, we're gonna be making comments with the movie.” ([58:30])
On keeping “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”’s ending secret:
“I never breathed a word of how it ended. I didn’t tell my husband, I didn’t tell my mom. I didn’t tell anyone how this movie ended. We were all in on keeping it secret.” ([56:25])

Timestamps for Important Segments

Margot’s childhood & movie obsession: [16:21]–[17:30]
Breaking in: unpaid projects, "Neighbours": [18:04]–[18:59]
Early LA chaos & the “dodgy Romanian”: [29:10]–[32:42]
First American break ("Pan Am"): [33:11]–[35:03]
Wolf of Wall Street audition tale: [35:31]–[41:24]
Family and “Wolf of Wall Street” aftermath: [43:12]–[44:03]
Transition to producing & LuckyChap: [49:20]–[50:28]
The real “Barbie” origin story: [56:25]–[60:49]
Wuthering Heights & working with Jacob Elordi: [62:44]–[66:50]
Margot on being “hangry” & Tom’s steaks: [67:17]–[68:09]

Episode Tone & Language

The conversation is animated, self-deprecating, and humorous, interspersed with supportive admiration and playful digs. Margot’s candor and the hosts’ rapport foster a warm, organic energy— equally inspiring and entertaining, while maintaining authenticity throughout.

Takeaways

Margot’s career is a blend of risk-taking, creative vision, resilience, and strong collaborative (often Australian) relationships.
Behind the global stardom, she remains refreshingly grounded, open about vulnerabilities and industry challenges.
Producing offers her strategic agency and a means to craft culturally resonant stories while championing women-centric narratives.
“Barbie,” "Wuthering Heights," and more show her range—not just as an actress, but as a savvy, future-focused producer.
“Every step of this journey is possible with a bit of grit, some luck, and never opening the trunk when the dodgy Romanian tells you not to.”

For listeners and readers alike:
This episode is a celebration of Margot Robbie’s meteoric yet earned ascent, filled with humor, heart, and unique behind-the-scenes stories—making it a must-listen for fans and creatives alike.

End of Summary

SmartLess Podcast: "Margot Robbie"

Hosts: Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett
Guest: Margot Robbie
Release Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

Main Themes & Purpose

Margot Robbie’s career trajectory: childhood passions, acting origins, international breakthrough, and critical film roles.
The realities, anxieties, and serendipities of a rising actor moving to the US.
Inside stories on major productions: "Wolf of Wall Street," "I, Tonya," "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and "Barbie."
Jumping into producing and founding LuckyChap Entertainment.
Navigating fame, vulnerability, and work-life balance in Hollywood.
Playful group chemistry as Margot trades stories and jokes with Will, Sean, and Jason.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Margot’s Origin Story & Early Ambitions

Margot describes growing up on the Gold Coast, Australia. “No one's in the biz in my family, I had never met anyone who'd even so much as walked on a film set.” (16:21)
Early obsession with movies, constant reenactments as a kid ("I'd regurgitate... reenacting something. My mom kept being like, how do you remember all this?" – [16:53])

2. First Steps Into Acting

“You do one unpaid thing, it leads to another unpaid thing... eventually someone pays you to do it.” Margot recounts the snowball effect of student films and commercials [18:04].
Lands her first paid TV job in Melbourne while finishing high school, then quickly joins the iconic Australian soap "Neighbours".

3. Life, Career, and Choices after "Neighbours"

On “Neighbours” for three years—learned both the grind and camaraderie of long-running television [27:22].
Weighs options: "Either you can't keep up and get fired, you stay for decades, or you make the jump to America." (28:41)
“There's an Aussie mafia ready made for you,” Margot jokes about the network of supportive Australian expats in LA [29:10].

4. Arriving in America: Chaos & Luck

No Uber, not old enough to rent a car, ends up borrowing (and crashing) cars from “the guy” and later from "the dodgy Romanian"—with mysterious warnings to never open the trunk. (Hilarious anecdote spanning 29:48–32:42)
Memorable quote: “I was just doing my makeup, changing on the way to auditions…not paying attention. It was a bit of a chaotic time.” [31:39]

5. Breakthrough: "Pan Am" and "Wolf of Wall Street"

First US break with "Pan Am", where she roomed with Christina Ricci in New York [33:49].
Audition story for “Wolf of Wall Street:” Self-taped audition, called into the room with “Marty and Leo”—doesn’t realize “Marty” means Scorsese at first [36:43].
Iconic moment: Improvises slapping Leonardo DiCaprio in the audition, books the role on the spot.

“I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now... but this character wouldn’t do that. I just went whack and slapped him instead... They burst out laughing and Marty goes, 'That was amazing.'” — Margot Robbie ([39:27]–[41:24])

6. Adjustment to Suddenly Exploding Fame

Didn’t realize she’d feature so much in “Wolf of Wall Street”; was unprepared for the attention:

“I didn't really brace myself for how things would change after that… life got weird pretty quickly.” [43:11]
Family’s reaction to explicit scenes:

“I'm like naked… my brother is right next to me… we didn't talk for months after that.” [44:03]

7. Major Film Milestones & Collaborations

Brief discussion of "Focus" (with Will Smith), "Suicide Squad" (Harley Quinn), and "I, Tonya" (the iconic mirror scene, which was unscripted and “electric”—[45:48]).
Working with Craig Gillespie and Emerald Fennell: “We've produced Promising Young Woman, then Saltburn, and now Wuthering Heights together” [44:44], [62:44].

8. Inside "Barbie": Genesis, Stakes, and Trust

LuckyChap pursued rights aggressively, pitching Mattel and CEO Ynon Kreiz that they'd protect and elevate the Barbie brand [58:25–59:34].
Greta Gerwig was Margot's dream writer/director from the outset; the film’s message and “cultural relevance” were integral.
On convincing the studio:

“It was completely just trust us. And also, leave them alone. Like, you cannot—they’re not going to get on the phone with you… We have to leave them alone. That’s the first time.” — Margot ([60:40])
“I think it was probably the best bit of producing we ever did, was getting all those deals treatment deals, no approval over the script, but approval over the treatment...” [60:16]

9. On Sequels and the Future

No “Barbie” sequel planned, but “I’m open to anything with Greta, to be honest” ([61:05])
Margot recommends “The Magicians,” a “grown up, dark Narnia” fantasy series [61:35].

10. Wuthering Heights & Producer Life

New film “Wuthering Heights” with Jacob Elordi.
On chemistry and mutual work ethic (“we approach our work in a very similar way… set up for success because the script was so good, and Emerald’s writing is incredible” — [65:45])
Margot gets emotional at every viewing: “Every time. I have never watched it (without crying)...It’s just an incredible film” ([63:35]).

11. Personal Notes & Playful Banter

On her marriage and LuckyChap co-founder Tom: “He can cook a steak better than any restaurant… he calls me Dragoon when I’m hungry.” ([67:17]–[67:58])
All the hosts gush about Margot’s success, work ethic, and groundedness, with much affectionate teasing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Margot Robbie’s advice for young actors:
“You do one unpaid thing, it leads to another unpaid thing…eventually someone pays you to do it.” ([18:04])
On that infamous Wolf of Wall Street audition:
“I thought, wow, I could kiss Leonardo DiCaprio right now…But this character wouldn’t do that…So I just went whack and slapped him instead. It was dead silent. Then they both burst out laughing, and Marty goes, ‘That’s great. That was amazing.’” ([39:27])
On "Barbie" and creative risk:
“If we're doing a Barbie movie, we're gonna be saying something, and it has to be culturally relevant, and this has to be elevated and cinematic…But do understand, like, we're gonna be making comments with the movie.” ([58:30])
On keeping “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”’s ending secret:
“I never breathed a word of how it ended. I didn’t tell my husband, I didn’t tell my mom. I didn’t tell anyone how this movie ended. We were all in on keeping it secret.” ([56:25])

Timestamps for Important Segments

Margot’s childhood & movie obsession: [16:21]–[17:30]
Breaking in: unpaid projects, "Neighbours": [18:04]–[18:59]
Early LA chaos & the “dodgy Romanian”: [29:10]–[32:42]
First American break ("Pan Am"): [33:11]–[35:03]
Wolf of Wall Street audition tale: [35:31]–[41:24]
Family and “Wolf of Wall Street” aftermath: [43:12]–[44:03]
Transition to producing & LuckyChap: [49:20]–[50:28]
The real “Barbie” origin story: [56:25]–[60:49]
Wuthering Heights & working with Jacob Elordi: [62:44]–[66:50]
Margot on being “hangry” & Tom’s steaks: [67:17]–[68:09]

Episode Tone & Language

Takeaways

Margot’s career is a blend of risk-taking, creative vision, resilience, and strong collaborative (often Australian) relationships.
Behind the global stardom, she remains refreshingly grounded, open about vulnerabilities and industry challenges.
Producing offers her strategic agency and a means to craft culturally resonant stories while championing women-centric narratives.
“Barbie,” "Wuthering Heights," and more show her range—not just as an actress, but as a savvy, future-focused producer.
“Every step of this journey is possible with a bit of grit, some luck, and never opening the trunk when the dodgy Romanian tells you not to.”

End of Summary

"Margot Robbie"

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Summary

SmartLess Podcast: "Margot Robbie"

Episode Overview

Main Themes & Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Margot’s Origin Story & Early Ambitions

2. First Steps Into Acting

3. Life, Career, and Choices after "Neighbours"

4. Arriving in America: Chaos & Luck

5. Breakthrough: "Pan Am" and "Wolf of Wall Street"

6. Adjustment to Suddenly Exploding Fame

7. Major Film Milestones & Collaborations

8. Inside "Barbie": Genesis, Stakes, and Trust

9. On Sequels and the Future

10. Wuthering Heights & Producer Life

11. Personal Notes & Playful Banter

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Episode Tone & Language

Takeaways

Summary

SmartLess Podcast: "Margot Robbie"

Episode Overview

Main Themes & Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Margot’s Origin Story & Early Ambitions

2. First Steps Into Acting

3. Life, Career, and Choices after "Neighbours"

4. Arriving in America: Chaos & Luck

5. Breakthrough: "Pan Am" and "Wolf of Wall Street"

6. Adjustment to Suddenly Exploding Fame

7. Major Film Milestones & Collaborations

8. Inside "Barbie": Genesis, Stakes, and Trust

9. On Sequels and the Future

10. Wuthering Heights & Producer Life

11. Personal Notes & Playful Banter

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Episode Tone & Language

Takeaways