Warner Bros. Faces Deadline on Barbie Sequel as Talent Talks Stall

Warner Bros. Discovery must finalize contracts with director Greta Gerwig, star Margot Robbie and lead Ryan Gosling by December 2026 or the film rights will revert to Mattel. Sources say the studio’s latest offer included profit participation and an upfront increase, with Gosling’s asking price reported at $20 million. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav rejected those terms as “too generous,” while a Warner spokeswoman contended that talent representatives declined the May offer and have not submitted a counter-proposal. Studio co-chairs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca said the studio has a rights deal with Mattel and has made “a series of big offers,” but an agreement remains out of reach.

The Wrap

The 2023 “Barbie” film earned $1.5 billion worldwide, the highest box-office total ever for a Warner Bros. picture, and garnered eight Oscar nominations. The lucrative performance created a commercial mandate for a sequel, yet the contract deadline threatens that momentum. Mattel’s recent release “Masters of the Universe” grossed $113.5 million globally, underscoring the studio’s desire to avoid a development lull.

New York Times

• **Warner Bros.

New York Times

• Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz: “We expect projects to move and be in active development,” — Keiz

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• Gerwig and Noah Baumbach: They have a sequel story ready but will not begin writing until a contract is secured, giving them leverage in negotiations.

Vulture

• Box-office revenue of the original film: $1.5 billion worldwide.

New York Times

• Ryan Gosling’s reported asking price: $20 million.

The Wrap

• Deadline for securing talent deals: December 2026.

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• Mattel’s recent film “Masters of the Universe” gross: $113.5 million globally.

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If Warner Bros. cannot close deals by the December deadline, the “Barbie” rights will revert to Mattel, which has indicated a preference for projects that remain “in active development.” The studio may need to revisit its offer structure or explore alternative talent arrangements to keep the sequel on track.

The Wrap