Barbie 2 is facing a major setback as stalled contract talks over pay threaten to derail the sequel to Warner Bros.’ biggest film ever.
According to Variety, Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Noah Baumbach have rejected more than six offers from Warner Bros. over the past three years. The latest proposal, made this spring, was reportedly the studio’s biggest-ever offer for a filmmaking team and its stars, although sources disagree over whether the individual deals are historic.
The talks come as Warner Bros. Pictures chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy have about four months to put the sequel into active development. Otherwise, the rights to the Barbie property will revert to Mattel, forcing a complete reboot.
Gerwig and Baumbach already have an idea for the sequel, Variety reported, but they have yet to sign agreements.
The financial demands are substantial. Gosling reportedly wants $20 million to return as Ken, while Robbie earned roughly $50 million in salary and back-end compensation from the first film. Gerwig also earned tens of millions.
The creative team is reportedly seeking higher upfront fees and stronger back-end participation. Baumbach would receive a higher fee but no back-end increase. The team is not asking for first-dollar gross, meaning Warner Bros. would still recoup its investment before their back-end payments begin.
The original Barbie grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide and became the highest-grossing film in Warner Bros. history. Gerwig also became the most successful woman director at the global box office with the film.
The current dispute has raised questions inside Hollywood over why Warner Bros. would risk losing a sequel to its biggest hit. Some industry figures have criticised CEO David Zaslav, particularly as he could receive hundreds of millions of dollars if Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery succeeds.
The stalled deal is also creating problems for Mattel. Its film studio division scored a major success with Barbie, and the company is keen to build on it. Mattel already has an agreement with Warner Bros., but needs the original creative team on board.
The situation could change if David Ellison succeeds in his bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. One source told Variety that Ellison could revive the Mattel rights and bring the filmmakers back.
Representatives for Gerwig, Robbie, Gosling, Baumbach, Warner Bros., Mattel and CAA declined to comment.
