Barbie Sequel Woes: Pay Talks Stall Warner Bros.

Negotiations for a Barbie sequel have reportedly stalled, putting the project in jeopardy. Warner Bros. has made multiple offers since 2023, all of which have been rejected by the key creative team. Ryan Gosling is reportedly seeking $20 million to reprise his role as Ken.

While specific figures for Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Noah Baumbach have not been disclosed, their collective offer was described as significant. However, sources suggest individual offers might not be historically high. The team is seeking increased upfront salaries and better backend participation in the sequel's profits.

Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav is reportedly reluctant to approve the requested terms, citing cost concerns. The studio claims the creative team declined their last offer and did not provide a counteroffer. Talks are on a tight schedule, with a December deadline looming.

If an agreement is not reached by December, Warner Bros.' movie rights to Barbie will revert to Mattel. This could result in the toy company taking the license to another studio. However, any new production would likely require a complete reboot, as the original cast and creative team would not be able to transition to a different studio.

Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach have an idea for the sequel's storyline, but they are reportedly unwilling to share it or begin writing until contracts are finalized. Gerwig has previously expressed that she would only pursue a sequel if she discovered a compelling story that aligns with her creative vision.

In other projects, Gerwig is directing a Narnia movie for Netflix, expected in 2027. Margot Robbie is set to star in an Ocean's Eleven prequel, and Ryan Gosling has multiple upcoming films, including Star Wars: Starfighter and a Marvel Studios Ghost Rider movie.