Barbie Sequel Stalls Amid Salary Disputes and Rights Deadline
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is reportedly balking at the salary demands of stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, threatening a December deadline that could return film rights to Mattel.
A potential sequel to the blockbuster "Barbie" movie remains stalled due to significant salary negotiations with its stars and director, coupled with a looming rights expiration.
Three years after the 2023 release of "Barbie," which earned $1.447 billion worldwide, a follow-up film has not materialized. Reports indicate that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is hesitant to meet the salary demands of star Margot Robbie and actor Ryan Gosling, who played Ken. Gosling is reportedly seeking $20 million to reprise his role, a figure Zaslav is reluctant to approve, especially with terms for profit participation also under negotiation.
Negotiations also involve director Greta Gerwig and her writing partner Noah Baumbach. Studio representatives stated that while they have a rights deal with Mattel and have made significant offers, an agreement has not yet been reached. The principal talent reportedly declined the studio's last offer in May and has not presented a counteroffer.
Adding urgency to the discussions is a December deadline. If a deal for the sequel is not finalized by then, the film rights will revert to Mattel, the toy manufacturer. This would necessitate a complete redevelopment of the intellectual property, starting with a new cast and creative team.
Gerwig, who is currently working on Netflix's "The Magician's Nephew," and Baumbach are reportedly using the deadline as leverage. They have an idea for the sequel but are withholding story details and the start of the writing process until their contracts are signed. Neither Gerwig nor Baumbach included language regarding sequel options in their original "Barbie" contracts, contributing to the extended negotiations.
While a deal is still possible, the timeline is increasingly tight for the production to reunite the original cast and crew. The studio's potential merger with Paramount is also navigating legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, adding another layer of complexity to Warner Bros. Discovery's business dealings.