Warner Bros. is facing a critical deadline of December 2026 to secure deals with director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling for a potential Barbie sequel. Failure to reach an agreement by this date will result in the film rights reverting to Mattel, according to a report from The New York Times.
The blockbuster success of Greta Gerwig's 2023 Barbie film has fueled discussions for a follow-up, but Gerwig, Robbie, and Gosling have since moved on to other projects. Contract negotiations for a sequel have reportedly been ongoing for months, with internal debates at Warner Bros. regarding the structure of offers.
Should the film rights return to Mattel, the company could produce a new Barbie movie, but it would not be connected to the continuity or characters established in Warner Bros.'s successful adaptation. This outcome is something Warner Bros. aims to avoid, particularly as the studio seeks to solidify future hit franchises.
Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, co-chairs of WB Pictures, stated to The New York Times that while the studio has a rights deal with Mattel and has made substantial offers, they have been unable to reach an agreement thus far. A spokesperson for the studio attributed the slow progress to the representation of Gerwig, Robbie, and Gosling.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Barbie 2, fans can anticipate other projects from related creative talent and brands. Mattel Studios' Matchbox The Movie is slated for release on Apple TV+ this October, Greta Gerwig's adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is expected on Netflix in February 2027, and Ryan Gosling is reportedly developing his take on Ghost Rider for the MCU, anticipated sometime in 2028.