Is a sequel to Margot Robbie’s Barbie being put back into the box? That’s the question everyone is asking as one deal after another for a follow-up to Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster fails to go through. According to a recent report by The New York Times, Warner Bros. Discovery and those involved with Barbie 2 are at a standstill due to significant pay demands. It’s a “beach off,” ladies and gentlemen, with money as the thing making waves between the studio and its filmmakers.
A “Beach Off” Over Big Money
Many sources say the studio has made six offers in the past three years to get the ball rolling on Barbie 2, all of which have been rejected. The latest offer, which came late this spring, is said by a studio source to be the highest Warner Bros. has ever offered for a filmmaking team and its stars. How much money, you ask? A “life-changing” amount, according to those in the know. However, another source claims that while the overall production package is massive, the individual pay for key creatives isn’t actually that impressive.
The Clock Is Ticking for Warner Bros.
The stalemate poses further financial problems because if WB film chiefs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy fail to put another Barbie film into active development within the next four months, the rights to the legendary character will revert to Mattel. Moreover, if new contracts aren’t signed, Mattel will not be able to use anything from Gerwig’s record-breaking film as a springboard and will be forced to make a complete reboot. Meanwhile, Variety says Gerwig and her writing partner, Noah Baumbach, have an idea for a sequel, but won’t say a word about the plot until a worthy contract crosses their desk.
Life After the $1.4 Billion Mojo Dojo Casa House
Even though Barbie grossed more than $1.4 billion at the box office, none of the film’s stars are contractually bound to return for a sequel, and neither are Gerwig and Baumbach. Many onlookers believe that WB did not know what it had when Barbie became the biggest movie in the world during the summer of 2023, alongside Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Audiences showed up in droves for Margot Robbie’s portrayal of the blonde bombshell, with the movie making many feel seen, accepted, and energized by its empowering messages of equality and self-worth.
Do you want to see a sequel to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, or can the film remain a standalone gem from here to eternity? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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