No Barbie sequel has been announced yet

Warner Bros.' Barbie has become a mesmerising phenomenon, captivating audiences as both a movie and a pop culture movement. Its triumph is imminent, with the movie almost hitting the $1 billion mark at the global box office, having already surpassed $900 million on this week.

Normally a studio celebrating such success would undoubtedly announce a sequel in the making. However, Barbie is not a movie one and the same. It was released during extraordinary times, amidst a writers and actors strike, making it complicated to announce a returning creative team or cast.

In a rare twist for a major intellectual property-based movie, the talented individuals who made Barbie a hit do not have deals in place for a sequel. This is in contrast to the approach of franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, or Transformers, which secure their talent with options, often at great cost.

Margot Robbie, who brought the iconic toy to life on-screen and co-produced the film through her LuckyChap banner with husband Tom Ackerley, does not have a contract obliging her to return as Barbie. While her acting fee and box office bonuses remain undisclosed, securing a new deal would undoubtedly be a high-priced endeavour. Additionally, negotiations might even involve discussions about merchandising points.

Ryan Gosling, the scene-stealing Ken in the movie, also lacks a deal for a sequel. Gosling's approach is consistent with his "one and done" ethos, steering away from big studio tentpoles. Although he has been approached for prominent roles in major IP productions before, his "no sequel" stance halts deal talks in their tracks.

Moreover, the movie's director and co-writer, Greta Gerwig, along with her partner Noah Baumbach, have no contract for a sequel either. Several months before the film's July 21 release, the studio expressed interest in a sequel with Gerwig in the directing seat. However, her representatives at UTA skilfully deferred any discussions until after Barbie hit the screens. With the movie about to breach the $1 billion mark, this strategic move proves to be one of the savviest agenting decisions of the year.

Barbie Movie Trailer

Barbie has truly revolutionised the box office in a way few could have predicted. While Robbie and Gerwig believed in the project, the journey to box office gold was filled with potential pitfalls.

The movie was greenlit under the regime run by Toby Emmerich, COO Carolyn Blackwood, and executives Courtenay Valenti and Cate Adams. Convincing the rest of the company that a feature project without previous comparisons would succeed was a daunting task. The budget grew from a proposed $80 million to $140 million, demonstrating the faith behind this groundbreaking venture.

When Warner Bros. merged with Discovery in 2022, the movie, still in production, faced uncertainty like some of the studio's other films (e.g. Batgirl or Black Adam). However, new heads Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy understood the movie's essence and gave the filmmakers the freedom to find their voice during post-production. The marketing campaign navigated a fine line to convey the movie's messaging effectively.

The collaboration between Warner Bros., Mattel, Robbie, LuckyChap, and Gerwig proved pivotal to Barbie's success. Robbie joined as a producer in 2018 after the rights lapsed at Sony. Gerwig's hiring in 2021 solidified the project's future, as Robbie committed to starring in Barbie after Gerwig signed on to direct.

Gerwig spent months perfecting the movie's tone, balancing broad comedy, camp, humanism, and musical elements. This transformation elevated the film from its initial target audience into a universally appealing work that encouraged repeat viewings. Barbie's unique approach speaks to an audience rarely addressed, potentially forging a path for other female filmmakers and female-driven stories.

As for a sequel, the ongoing strikes have halted negotiations. The movie's box office success benefits the talent in this scenario. Meanwhile, Gerwig takes this time to recharge and enjoy the world of Barbieland.

"At this moment, it's all I've got," she recently shared with the New York Times. "I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I'll never have another idea and everything I've ever wanted to do, I did. I wouldn't want to squash anybody else's dream, but for me, at this moment, I'm at totally zero."

When discussions about a sequel eventually resume, be prepared to witness negotiations involving substantial figures.