So, it’s been three years since “Barbie” was released, grossing $1.5 billion worldwide and going on to earn an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, among its eight nods. Warner Bros. obviously wants a sequel, but it looks like a deal needs to be signed soon.
It certainly doesn’t help matters that, back when the first one got greenlit, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling did not have deals in their contracts to return for a sequel. This was rather unusual, given that most big franchises would snap up their talent with options before the movie is released. So, this meant that, if a sequel were to happen, the trio would likely be offered an exorbitant amount of money to return.
According to The New York Times, no deal has been reached, and “time is running out.” The rights to “Barbie” will revert to Mattel if Warner Bros. does not have deals with Gerwig, Robbie and Gosling in place by December.
According to the report, Warner Bros. has been negotiating with Gerwig and Gosling for months. Gosling was offered $20M (his current asking price), but Warners CEO David Zaslav believes the offers, which include a percentage of the box office profits, are too high and would not sign off on them.
In 2024, Gerwig repeatedly stated that she wasn’t sure if she would want to return for a sequel, adding that she didn’t have any ideas for continuing the story. Robbie previously echoed Gerwig’s sentiments, expressing doubts about a “Barbie” sequel.
Plot twist: apparently, Gerwig and writing partner/husband Noah Baumbach now have a story they want to tell for the sequel and are “ready to begin writing.” This, too, is being used as a point of leverage. They are hiding the idea from Warner Bros. and are refusing to begin writing until the deal is done.
If no deal is reached by December, Mattel would exit the IP from Warner Bros., which would then have to redevelop “Barbie,” all over again, from scratch, with no “story elements” or talent involved allowed from the original. “Barbie” would basically be rebooted with another studio.
That said, if a deal is reached with Gerwig, Robbie and Gosling, it will still “take years” before a “Barbie” sequel hits theatres, we’re probably talking 2029, or 2030 release.
I actually find that number optimistic. Tickets for “Digger” go on sale next Tuesday, and presales will give us a better picture of how bad it’s looking.