Warner Brothers Studio Scramble Over 'Barbie' Sequel Agreements

Negotiations are still looming over the hotly anticipated Barbie sequel, The New York Times has reported. Talks are said to have started “months ago“, but agreements around key financial decisions are yet to be resolved.

Released in July 2023, Barbie was an immediate box office, marketing, and global hit, grossing close to $1.5 billion. It features an all-star cast, including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken. America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Ncuti Gatwa also star. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning Best Original Song for Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s ”What Was I Made For?”

As far as its sequel goes, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach reportedly have a story ready. However, Warner Brothers CEO David Zaslav allegedly declined the proposed compensation packages for the filmmakers and cast. So, until an agreement has been reached, no progress can be made.

According to The New York Times, the studio has until December to strike a deal with the principal talent. In a joint statement, studio co-chairs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca said, “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.”

They continued: “Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach an agreement thus far.”

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If an agreement is not reached by December, rights to Barbie will revert to Mattel. However, Mattel will not be able to take Gerwig, Baumbach, Robbie, Gosling, or any story elements developed for the current sequel elsewhere.

The cast’s original contracts are also contributing to these challenging negotiations. Gerwig and the cast reportedly refused to include a sequel option in their contracts, meaning everyone could renegotiate their contracts after the film’s release.

Who knows what’s in store for Gerwig’s Barbieland. Perhaps Gerwig is waiting for Christopher Nolan’s next big project to create another cinematic phenomenon like Barbenheimer. Barbdyssey doesn’t quite have the same ring to it…

Gerwig and Baumbach are currently wrapping ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’, set for release on Netflix on April 2, 2027. Robbie will star in the yet-untitled upcoming Ocean’s Eleven prequel, set for release in June 2027. Gosling will lead ‘Star Wars: Starfighter‘, set for release in May 2027.