The future of Barbie 2 is looking increasingly uncertain. Despite the first film becoming one of the biggest box office successes of the decade, negotiations over a sequel have stalled, putting the next chapter of the blockbuster franchise on hold.
The main issue centres on negotiations with stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who were not signed to sequel contracts when they joined the first film. Following the film’s success, both actors are seeking new agreements that reflect their roles in the franchise’s future.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has reportedly pushed back against larger salary packages and profit participation for the actors. Variety reported that negotiations are still ongoing, with the studio seeking to finalise deals with Robbie, Gosling, director Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach before moving forward.
Gerwig and Baumbach are said to have an idea for the next film but have not shared details with the studio while negotiations remain unresolved. The pair played key roles in shaping the first Barbie, which was released in 2023 and earned eight Academy Award nominations.
The studio is also working against a deadline. Warner Bros. needs to secure a new agreement before its current rights deal with Mattel expires in December. If no deal is reached, Mattel could take the property in a different direction with a new creative team and concept.
A delay is also expected from a production standpoint. Robbie is currently attached to an Ocean’s Eleven prequel, while Gosling has upcoming projects including Star Wars: Starfighter and Marvel’s Ghost Rider. Gerwig is also preparing for the release of her Narnia adaptation.
For now, a second Barbie film remains possible, but production cannot proceed until the key agreements are settled.
