If Barbie 2 is deemed too expensive, then Hollywood’s blockbuster model is completely broken.
Barbie 2 is currently in crisis at Warner Bros. According to a new report in Variety, sequel talks have hit a massive roadblock. On one side of the negotiations is the creative team of Barbie, which includes writer-director Greta Gerwig, co-screenwriter Noah Baumbach, star and producer Margot Robbie, and star Ryan Gosling.
The Gerwig-led foursome has asked for significant pay bumps to return for Barbie 2, which includes upfront fees and back-end participation points for Gerwig, Robbie, and Gosling. Robbie earned roughly $50 million on the first movie as a star and producer. Gosling is reportedly asking for $20 million to return to Barbie 2.
On the other side of the negotiations are Warner Bros. and CEO David Zaslav. The studio has reportedly made “more than six offers in the past three years,” which have been rejected.
Time is of the essence in these negotiations. WB and the Barbie team have about four months to put another movie in active development, or the rights revert to Mattel. That means Mattel cannot use anything from Gerwig’s Barbie in a new movie, meaning it would have to be a full reboot.
Barbie 2 should be Hollywood’s safest sequel bet
Let’s call a spade a spade. Money is the reason why Barbie 2 has stalled. Gerwig and the Barbie team have every right to ask for raises to return for a sequel. 2023’s Barbie grossed $1.5 billion worldwide, the highest-grossing film in Warner Bros. history. Not only did it make money, but it won over critics with eight Oscar nominations, winning for Best Original Song.
Warner Bros. has every right to negotiate the price down. WB’s leadership is probably scared of having another Joker 2 situation on their hands, where they overpaid for a movie that flopped. Gerwig and Baumbach reportedly already have an idea for the sequel, so these feel like two different situations to me.
That being said, what is Warner Bros. doing not paying up for the sequel? You cannot lose the rights to Gerwig’s Barbie over money. The first film made $1.5 billion on a $145 million budget. For argument’s sake, let’s say the new budget takes it to $200 million. Is Warner Bros. really going to kill the Barbie sequel over $50 million?
Think about how much money they’re investing in the DC Universe, which is coming off the flop of Supergirl. Then again, Zaslav canned Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme for tax purposes, so he’s willing to do whatever it takes to save money.
Hollywood loves IP and franchises. It’s why studios will keep trying to restart old franchises, like Masters of the Universe, in hopes of making a hit. Barbie 2 should be an automatic greenlight. It’s a hit based on IP with bankable stars and franchise potential. If Warner Bros. can’t work this out, Hollywood is in trouble.
Originally written by Dan Girolamo at ComingSoon.
