Development on a sequel to the comedy mega-hit Barbie has stalled over salary negotiations between Warner Bros and the film’s core creative team, putting the project’s future in jeopardy, according to a report in the New York Times. Stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, alongside director and co-writer Greta Gerwig, have yet to agree on terms with the studio, with rights to the property set to revert to Mattel in December.
Salary Negotiations Stall Barbie 2 Development
Ryan Gosling, who earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as Ken, is reportedly asking for $20m (£14.8m) to reprise his role, according to the New York Times report. Robbie, Gosling, and Gerwig are all represented by the same talent agency, CAA, complicating the ongoing talks.
Warner Bros co-chairs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca addressed the standoff in a public statement. “We have a rights deal with Mattel in place and have made a series of big offers to try and finalise deals to make the next Barbie film. Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach an agreement thus far,” they said.
The December Deadline and Mattel Rights Reversion
Time is running out for Warner Bros to secure the necessary agreements. If the studio fails to get deals in place with Robbie, Gosling, and Gerwig by December, the film rights will revert to toy manufacturer Mattel. Should the rights return to Mattel, the company would be unable to incorporate any original story elements from the 2023 blockbuster into a new film with a different studio. Furthermore, Robbie, Gosling, and Gerwig could not be involved in any future projects under Mattel.
Did you know? Barbie grossed an estimated $1.5bn (£1.1bn) globally, making it the highest-grossing live-action comedy ever, Warner Bros’s best-performing film, and the 18th highest-grossing film in history.
Why Warner Bros Only Secured a One-Movie Deal
Despite the picture dominating summer 2023 alongside Oppenheimer and earning eight Academy Award nominations, Warner Bros initially signed only a one-movie deal with Greta Gerwig. The studio also did not require the main cast to commit to potential sequels during initial contracting. Margot Robbie explained the standalone approach to the Associated Press during the film’s theatrical run: “We didn’t build it to be a trilogy or something … We put everything into this one.”
Despite the lack of early sequel planning, Gerwig and her writing partner and husband, Noah Baumbach, have since developed an idea for a follow-up. According to reports, the creative duo is ready to begin writing if terms can be successfully agreed upon with the studio.
Studio Pressures and Box Office Context
The stalled negotiations come at a difficult financial juncture for Warner Bros. Recent high-budget releases from the studio, including the DC Comics film Supergirl and The Bride—a feminist reworking of Frankenstein—underperformed at the box office and failed to recoup their costs. Additionally, the studio’s planned merger with Paramount was put on hold after a group of 12 US states won a temporary injunction to block the corporate consolidation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Barbie 2 stalled?
Development on the sequel has stalled due to salary negotiations between Warner Bros and lead actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, as well as director Greta Gerwig.
What happens if Warner Bros doesn’t reach a deal by December?
If this happens, Mattel cannot use any original story elements from the first film, and Robbie, Gosling, and Gerwig cannot be involved in future projects.
How much did the first Barbie film make?
The film grossed an estimated $1.5bn (£1.1bn) worldwide, making it the highest-grossing live-action comedy ever.
What do you think? Would you watch a sequel without the original creative team, or should Warner Bros meet their salary terms? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and subscribe to our film newsletter for weekly box office updates.
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