Barbie Sequel Negotiations Stall as Warner Bros. Faces December Rights Deadline
Discussions for the follow-up to the 2023 hit 'Barbie' have hit a standstill, as Warner Bros. must finalize film rights by December or they will revert to Mattel. The original movie, directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, grossed almost $1.5 billion worldwide and garnered eight Oscar nominations. Currently, Warner Bros. has not come to a financial agreement with Gerwig, screenwriter Noah Baumbach, Robbie, and Gosling. A previous proposal included higher salaries (up to $20 million for Gosling) and profit-sharing, but was declined. The negotiations are complicated by Warner Bros.' financial issues, including a court's halt on its acquisition by Paramount Skydance. Gerwig is also developing 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' for Netflix, scheduled for 2027.
Key facts
- Barbie sequel negotiations are stalled between Warner Bros. and key cast/crew.
- Warner Bros. film rights to Barbie revert to Mattel in December.
- Original Barbie film (2023) grossed nearly $1.5 billion globally and received 8 Oscar nominations.
- Greta Gerwig directed; Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starred.
- No sequel options were in original contracts for Gerwig, Baumbach, Robbie, and Gosling.
- Warner Bros. offered up to $20 million to Gosling and profit participation, but CEO David Zaslav reportedly rejected it.
- Warner Bros. spokesperson says latest offer (May) was rejected by representatives, no counteroffer made.
- Warner Bros. faces financial issues: acquisition by Paramount Skydance suspended, and films 'Supergirl' and 'La sposa!' underperformed.
- Gerwig and Baumbach have not started writing the sequel script but have hinted at ideas.
- Gerwig is working on 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' for Netflix, due 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Greta Gerwig
- Noah Baumbach
- Margot Robbie
- Ryan Gosling
Institutions
- Warner Bros.
- Mattel
- Netflix
- Paramount Skydance
- New York Times
- Variety
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada