Barbie sequel at risk as salary talks with Robbie, Gosling and Gerwig hit impasse
Why This Matters
Key context: <p>Warner Bros faces losing rights to the blockbuster sequel if deals with the film’s stars and director are not agreed by December</p><p>The comedy mega-hit Barbie made an estimated $1.5bn (£1.1bn) at the box office, was nominated for eight Academy Awards and – alongside the biopic Oppenheimer – dominated the culture during the summer of 2023. A sequel had seemed a foregone conclusion. However, the development of Barbie 2 has stalled over salary negotiations, putting the entire project in jeopardy, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/business/media/barbie-sequel-warner-bros-mattel.html">a report in the New York Times</a>.</p><p>Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the first film’s stars, and its director and co-writer Greta Gerwig, are yet to agree on terms. Gosling, who was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance as Barbie’s boyfriend Ken, is reportedly asking for $20m (£14.8m) to return to the role. All three are represented by the same talent agency, CAA.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/03/barbie-2-stalls-margot-robbie-ryan-gosling-greta-gerwig-salary-talks">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.
Warner Bros faces losing rights to the blockbuster sequel if deals with the film’s stars and director are not agreed by DecemberThe comedy mega-hit Barbie made an estimated $1.5bn (£1.1bn) at the box office, was nominated for eight Academy Awards and – alongside the biopic Oppenheimer – dominated the culture during the summer of 2023. A sequel had seemed a foregone conclusion. However, the development of Barbie 2 has stalled over salary negotiations, putting the entire project in jeopardy, according to a report in the New York Times.Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the first film’s stars, and its director and co-writer Greta Gerwig, are yet to agree on terms. Gosling, who was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance as Barbie’s boyfriend Ken, is reportedly asking for $20m (£14.8m) to return to the role. All three are represented by the same talent agency, CAA. Continue reading...
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