Key Points
- Variety reports a Barbie sequel is at risk of being shelved after pay talks stalled between Warner Bros. and the creative team.
- The team includes director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who have rejected more than 6 offers over 3 years.
- Warner Bros. has about 4 months to move the project into active development or the rights fully revert to Mattel.
The Latest:
Variety reports a sequel to Barbie, Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing film ever at $1.4 billion worldwide, is at risk of being shelved after pay talks stalled with a team that includes director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who have rejected more than 6 offers over 3 years.
Details:
- The Money: Gosling is seeking around $20 million to reprise Ken, while Robbie earned roughly $50 million from the first film, with a source expecting her new deal to land well ahead of that.
- Studio’s Stance: CEO David Zaslav is holding firm despite offers described by a source as the “highest ever” for a single filmmaking team at Warner Bros.
- Why It Stalled: The original contracts included no sequel obligation, since Gerwig hadn’t yet directed a major blockbuster when the first deal was signed.
- Mattel’s Clock: Warner Bros. has about 4 months to move the project into active development, or story rights fully revert to Mattel, which owns the doll.
- Recent Pattern: The standoff follows Zaslav’s earlier calls to shelve completed films like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme for tax write-offs.
What to Watch:
Warner Bros. has about 4 months to close a deal before rights revert to Mattel, while the industry watches whether a new offer emerges — and whether David Ellison, a potential Warner Bros. buyer, could revive the project if his bid succeeds.
