In 2023, ‘Barbie’ became a global phenomenon, grossing over $1.5 billion worldwide at the box office and becoming one of Warner Bros.’ all-time most successful films. Of course, fans wanted a sequel to come along soon.
Three years later, however, ‘Barbie 2’ is still in development limbo, with negotiations ongoing behind the scenes. The biggest challenge doesn’t seem to be finding an idea for the sequel; it’s reaching an agreement that pleases everyone involved in Barbieland.
Warner Bros. Is Racing Against Time to Keep the ‘Barbie’ Franchise Alive
Warner Bros. is continuing to work on finalizing deals with some of the key creative talent, like director and co-writer Greta Gerwig, stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, and others, according to recent reports. The studio has reportedly made better financial offers and profit-sharing.
Related: The Creepy ‘Psycho’ Easter Egg Hidden in ‘Barbie’ That Most Viewers Completely Missed
However, the two sides cannot find the middle ground. If an agreement is not finalized by the December, the rights to the ‘Barbie’ film will go back to Mattel. That would make any immediate sequel plans difficult, and potentially force the toy company to restart development under a different studio.
The development is particularly crucial for Warner Bros, who have been seeking to build long-term franchises following ‘Barbie‘s success as their biggest film. The continuing negotiations are even more important, as a sequel is one of the studio’s top priorities.
A Sequel Story Exists, But Fans Still Have To Wait
There is one bright spot for fans: Greta Gerwig and her writing partner Noah Baumbach apparently have a story they want to tell. However, they are reported to be waiting for a new deal to be settled before they start writing the screenplay.
In case you missed it: ‘Barbie’ Director Greta Gerwig Finally Addresses Fans’ Request For A ‘Ken’ Movie With Ryan Gosling
That is, the vision for the creation may already exist, but the business negotiations are not moving forward. The film could still be years away from the theaters even if contracts are signed soon.
The wait for many moviegoers is a frustrating one, particularly after the first movie went beyond being a blockbuster to a cultural event. There’s still a lot of interest in going back to Barbieland, even if ‘Barbie 2’ is not headed to Warner Bros. For now, fans can just wait for the pieces to fall into place, so the next chapter can begin.
