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Time is reportedly running out on a sequel to “Barbie” getting underway at Warner Bros. Pictures.
The Greta Gerwig-directed film opened in 2023 and grossed $1.5 billion worldwide along with earning rave reviews, an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and becoming a huge pop culture event.
So why hasn’t a sequel rushed forward? Famously, Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling did not have deals in their contracts to return for a sequel.
Thus, new and likely much more expensive deals have to be negotiated. Gerwig also indicated in 2024 she didn’t have any story ideas for a follow-up. Well, that’s apparently changed.
The New York Times reports that time is running out for Warners as deals with the trio have to be in place by December. If not, rights to the property revert back to Mattel.
The paper indicates Warners actually has been negotiating with Gerwig and Gosling for months, but Warners CEO David Zaslav won’t sign off on them as he reportedly believes the offers, which include a % cut of the film’s box office, are too high.
Also revealed is that Gerwig and writing partner/husband Noah Baumbach now have a story they want to tell for the sequel and are ready to start writing it – but they aren’t sharing said idea from Warner Bros. and won’t touch pen to paper until the deal is done.
If we reach December with no deal in place, Mattel would have to exit the IP from Warner Bros. and essentially reboot it all over again. No talent or story elements from the original will be allowed. If a deal is reached, then the film is still likely a minimum of 2-3 years away.
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