Negotiations on the creation of a sequel to "Barbie" have reached an impasse

The sequel to the movie "Barbie" was in jeopardy due to the protracted negotiations of Warner Bros. with director Greta Gerwig, screenwriter Noah Baumbach and actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The parties could not agree on fees and terms of profit sharing, and in December, the studio's rights to create the next picture may return to Mattel. This was reported by Variety magazine.

Why negotiations on "Barbie 2" have reached an impasse

Warner Bros. He has been trying to bring back the main creative team of Barbie since the release of the film in 2023. According to Variety, over the past three years, the studio has sent representatives of Gerwig, Baumbach, Robbie and Gosling at least seven offers, but none of them led to the conclusion of contracts.

The main subject of negotiations was not only fixed fees, but also the share of participants in future profits. After the box office success of the first film, the actors and authors received a much stronger position to discuss the terms of the sequel.

The sources of the publication differ in their assessment of the proposals of Warner Bros. Some argue that the creative team as a whole was satisfied with fixed payments, but not a profit-sharing mechanism. Others dispute this version and claim that the parties did not agree on several financial terms at once.

Gosling, according to unconfirmed reports, has requested $20 million to return to the role of Ken. In the first film, his fee was estimated at about $12.5 million. Neither the actor nor his representatives have publicly commented on these amounts.

What Warner Bros. said

The co-chairmen of the Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, confirmed that no agreement has yet been reached. According to them, the studio sent several large financial offers to the participants.

According to a number of sources, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav considered the proposed terms of profit sharing too generous and refused to approve them.

A studio representative disputed this interpretation. He said that the latest offer from Warner Bros. It was sent in May, but representatives of the actors and authors rejected it and did not provide counter-conditions.

Has the sequel to "Barbie" been canceled

"Barbie 2" has not been officially canceled, as the studio has not yet announced the start of production. The project does not have an approved cast, a date for the start of filming, or a premiere. Warner Bros. still wants to make a second picture with Gerwig, Robbie and Gosling. However, without new contracts, the studio cannot begin work on the script and create a production schedule.

Even if an agreement is reached in the coming months, the film is unlikely to be released anytime soon. The project participants are busy with other paintings, and the script has not yet been written.

What will happen to the rights in December

The Warner Bros. Agreement With Mattel owning the Barbie brand, there is a limited period during which the studio can begin developing the next picture. According to foreign media reports, this period will end in December 2026. If by then Warner Bros. If he does not sign contracts with the main team, the studio's rights to create the next film will return to Mattel.

The toy manufacturer will be able to negotiate with another film company, but such a project will probably need a complete reboot. The new film will not be able to continue the plot of Gerwig's version or use elements created specifically for her.

Robbie, Gosling and Gerwig will also not be able to automatically transfer to the new Mattel project. Separate arrangements will be required for their participation.

Is there a "Barbie 2" scenario

There is no ready-made continuation scenario. According to Variety, Greta Gerwig and her husband and regular collaborator Noah Baumbach have developed the basic idea of the second part, but they are not going to disclose it to the studio before signing contracts.

After the release of the first "Barbie," Gerwig repeatedly cautiously answered questions about the sequel. The director stated that she would agree to return only if she found a story that would be really important to her.

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Margot Robbie also emphasized that the first film was not intended as the beginning of a trilogy. According to her, the team put all the ideas they had into the picture and did not leave any storylines specifically for the sequel.

In December 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Gerwig and Baumbach had found a sequel concept. Representatives of the director, screenwriter and Warner Bros. then they denied the information about the beginning of development. New publications indicate that the idea has indeed appeared, but its content remains unknown.

Why Warner Bros. We need a second Barbie

The first "Barbie" was released in July 2023 and became the biggest commercial success of Warner Bros. According to Box Office Mojo, the film's worldwide collections have reached $1.447 billion.

The film received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Film, Best Supporting Actor for Gosling and Best Supporting Actress for America Ferrera. The Song What Was I Made For? Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell were voted the best song.

The film has also become a large-scale cultural phenomenon. The simultaneous release of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" gave rise to the phenomenon of "Barbenheimer," and the clothes, music, and visual images of the film influenced popular culture and the promotion of other films.

For Warner Bros., the sequel is an opportunity to reuse one of the studio's most successful brands. At the same time, high expectations increase financial and creative risks: the second part should bring back the core team and at the same time offer a story that will not be perceived as a common exploitation of the popularity of the original.

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