Negotiations for a Barbie sequel are hitting a wall over pay demands and a looming deadline, with Warner Bros. reportedly racing to close a deal by December or lose the franchise to toy maker Mattel.
The 2023 Greta Gerwig film became the highest-grossing film by a solo female director and the fastest Warner Bros. film to reach $1 billion at the box office. It grossed $1.4 billion globally. Despite this success, a sequel faces hurdles, including reported rejections of pay demands from Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and other cast and crew.
Pay demands and rejected offers
Over the past three years, more than six offers have reportedly been rejected. The most recent, according to a studio source, was the highest Warner Bros. has ever offered a filmmaking team and its stars, described to Variety as 'life-changing' money. Other reports claim Ryan Gosling is seeking around $20 million to return as Ken, and the creative team is looking for increased upfront compensation and backend participation.
Margot Robbie was reportedly paid $50 million for her role as lead actress and producer on the first film. If that is the starting point, she could be negotiating toward one of the highest salaries Warner has ever paid a female lead. That title currently sits with Sandra Bullock, who was reportedly paid in the region of $70 million for Gravity in 2013.
December deadline and rights reversion
Contract requirements mean Warner Bros. is reportedly racing to close a deal by December. If no deal is reached, the rights revert entirely to Mattel, and the studio loses the franchise and the money for good.
The situation is ironic, given that the first film was interpreted by many as a critique of capitalist systems and commodification. Yet, because it has become a lucrative enterprise, the machine and those involved now want more. The sequel's success would need to match or exceed the original's commercial viability, which could prove challenging.
