Lena Dunham's departure from the 'Polly Pocket' film highlights a significant shift in Hollywood where directors seek to create work that resonates on a personal level rather than following trends. Dunham's decision was influenced by the phenomenal success of 'Barbie', directed by Greta Gerwig, which not only achieved box office success but also managed to be a deeply personal project for Gerwig. Dunham expressed that unless she could bring a similar personal touch to 'Polly Pocket', she would rather not proceed with the project. This move has sparked discussions about the pressures and expectations faced by directors in the industry today.

The success of 'Barbie' has set a high benchmark for films based on toys, influencing how other projects like 'Polly Pocket' are perceived and developed. Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' not only garnered critical and commercial success but also demonstrated that films based on toys could have significant cultural impact and personal authenticity. This has led to increased expectations and pressures on subsequent projects to match or exceed that level of success and personal engagement, impacting decisions by filmmakers like Lena Dunham on whether to continue with such projects.

Following her exit from the 'Polly Pocket' movie, Lena Dunham is not stepping away from the creative scene. She is currently focusing on her upcoming Netflix series 'Too Much', a semi-autobiographical romantic comedy. This project, along with a spy series in development, highlights Dunham's shift towards more personal and potentially groundbreaking projects that align more closely with her creative vision and personal experiences, particularly emphasizing her desire to avoid roles that lead to body shaming, as experienced during her time on 'Girls'.