Amy Schumer defends Barbie casting after 'fat shaming'

Amy Schumer has responded to "fat shamers" who accused her of being the wrong choice to play Barbie in the live action movie.

The comedian said she was "very honoured" to play "an important and evolving icon".

Posting a picture of herself in a swimsuit, the 35-year-old shared a response to online "trolls" who complained that "Barbie should be the definition of perfection", accusing toy brand Mattel of "ruining her image by letting Schumer be Barbie".

"Is it fat shaming if you know you're not fat and have zero shame in your game?" Schumer asked.

"I am strong and proud of how I live my life and say what I mean and fight for what I believe in and I have a blast doing it with the people I love."

It comes after Saturday's announcement that the actress was in talks with the doll-maker to play the iconic character in the movie set for 2018.

One Twitter user accused Mattel of trying to fake "some kind of body positive mantra".

In January, the doll-maker released three new body shapes - tall, curvy and petite Barbie dolls - as an alternative to the traditional slim, busty shape.

Barbie, The Movie will be an Enchanted-style mix of animation and live action with the title character being evicted from Barbieland for being too eccentric.

"My deepest sympathy goes out to the trolls who are in more pain than we will ever understand," Schumer said.

"I want to thank them for making it so evident that I am a great choice."

Schumer shared the post after being nominated for two Grammy Awards, for her audiobook of The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo and her Live At The Apollo performance.

"Very very honored to be nominated for 2 Grammys and to be considered to play an important and evolving icon," she wrote.

"They can scream as loud as they want. I am proud to lead by example," she added.

"I say if I'm beautiful, I say if I'm strong. You will not determine my story. I will."