Barbie Sequel Negotiations Stall Over Star Salaries

Plans for a sequel to the hit film Barbie have reportedly stalled due to salary negotiations for stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, according to reports citing The New York Times.

Warner Bros. Discovery executives have been in talks with the principal talent for months regarding compensation for a potential second film. Offers have included upfront raises and a profit-sharing arrangement contingent on box office success, but Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has deemed these proposals too generous. The studio co-chairs, Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca, confirmed in a statement that they have a rights deal with Mattel in place and have made significant offers, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

The last offers made to the actors in May were reportedly declined, and no new counteroffers have been presented. The urgency for a deal is heightened as the rights to a second film are set to revert to toy manufacturer Mattel in December.

Director Greta Gerwig and her partner Noah Baumbach, who were nominated for an Oscar for their work on the original script, are understood to have ideas for a follow-up film. However, Gerwig has previously stated her preference for not sharing film ideas too early, expressing concern that early discussions could negatively impact the final product.

The original Barbie film achieved significant box office success, earning more than $1.4 billion worldwide. Ryan Gosling's asking price for the sequel is reported to be $20 million.