# Warner Bros. Barbie sequel talks stall, Dec deadline > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/warner-bros-barbie-sequel-negotiations > Updated: 2026-08-14T19:50:50.000Z. Sources: 92. Developments: 4. Negotiations for a sequel to the 2023 blockbuster ‘Barbie’ have reached a formal impasse between Warner Bros. Discovery and the original creative team. While the studio maintains a rights deal with Mattel, film co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy have confirmed a standoff regarding the talent involved, including director Greta Gerwig, co-writer Noah Baumbach, and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The dispute remains centered on compensation, specifically higher upfront fees and increased back-end profit participation. Ryan Gosling is reportedly seeking approximately $20 million to reprise his role as Ken. Margot Robbie, who earned an estimated $50 million from the first film, is also seeking improved terms for both salary and profit sharing. Although Warner Bros. has made more than six offers—including one described as “life-changing money”—talent representatives have not yet submitted a counteroffer to the most recent proposal. A critical December 2026 deadline looms. If Warner Bros. fails to move the sequel into active development and secure contracts with the principal talent by then, the intellectual property rights will revert to Mattel. Such a reversion would prevent the studio from using the specific universe or characters established in the original film, potentially necessitating a full and costly franchise reboot. ## Claims - Warner Bros. must reach agreements with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling by December 2026 or the rights revert to Mattel. (disputed by 19 sources) - Warner Bros. must finalize a Barbie sequel agreement by December 2024 or lose the rights to Mattel. (disputed by 13 sources) - If no agreement is reached by December 2026, Mattel will regain full rights to the Barbie franchise. (disputed by 11 sources) - Ryan Gosling is seeking a $20 million salary for the Barbie sequel. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said the offers were too generous and refused to approve them. (corroborated by 19 sources) - Warner Bros. spokesperson said talent representatives declined an offer made in May and have not yet submitted a counter‑offer. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Warner Bros. co‑chairs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca said they have a rights deal with Mattel and have made a series of big offers but have not reached an agreement. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Warner Bros. has made about half a dozen offers over the past three years to secure the Barbie sequel. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Barbie earned roughly $1.4‑$1.5 billion worldwide, the highest‑grossing Warner Bros. film. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Director Greta Gerwig and writer Noah Baumbach have a story outline ready for Barbie 2. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The planned merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount has been suspended. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Warner Bros. Discovery has not reached a compensation agreement with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling for a Barbie sequel. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Margot Robbie is negotiating a profit‑participation deal for the Barbie sequel. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Ryan Gosling is slated to star as Ghost Rider in a 2028 Marvel Studios film. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-14: Warner Bros. faces impasse over Barbie sequel negotiations Warner Bros. Discovery faces a December deadline to secure talent for a ‘Barbie’ sequel, as negotiations with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling remain stalled over financial terms. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warner-bros-faces-impasse-over-barbie-sequel-negotiations ### 2026-08-12: Warner Bros. faces impasse over 'Barbie' sequel negotiations Warner Bros. faces a deadline to secure a 'Barbie' sequel deal with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling before rights revert to Mattel in December following stalled compensation negotiations. 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warner-bros-sequel-talks-for-barbie-reportedly-stall ### 2026-08-01: Warner Bros. faces December deadline over Barbie sequel talent talks Warner Bros. cannot secure new contracts with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling for a *Barbie* sequel. Salary and profit‑share demands have stalled talks, and a December 2026 deadline threatens loss‑ 52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warner-bros-delays-barbie-sequel-deal-as-stars-negotiate ### 2026-07-24: Warner Bros. and Mattel explore sequel to blockbuster Barbie film Barbie’s creators Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach have pitched a sequel to Warner Bros. and Mattel; the project is in early stages and hinges on finding a suitable story after the original earned $1.45 billion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warner-bros-and-mattel-explore-sequel-to-blockbuster-barbie-film --- Cite as: Warner Bros. Barbie sequel talks stall, Dec deadline. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/warner-bros-barbie-sequel-negotiations