'Barbie 2' Stalls as Warner Bros. Nixes Salary Increases for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling

Warner Bros. faces a December deadline to secure deals with Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Greta Gerwig.

Summary

Negotiations for a 'Barbie' sequel have hit an impasse over talent compensation and profit-sharing terms

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav reportedly balked at deal proposals deemed too generous for returning talent

The studio has until December 2026 to reach an agreement before film rights revert to Mattel

Warner Bros. Discovery’s proposed sequel to Barbie has reportedly hit a major roadblock as negotiations stall between the studio and key creative talent. Contract talks involving stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and director Greta Gerwig have hit an impasse over salary packages and profit-sharing terms.

According to industry insiders, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav declined to approve earlier proposals for Barbie 2, characterizing the proposed terms as overly generous. While director Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach have reportedly developed a story concept for the follow-up to their $1.4 billion USD box office phenomenon, the duo is holding off on drafting a screenplay until new contracts are finalized. Reports indicate Ryan Gosling is seeking a $20 million USD salary, while broader discussions continue around backend box office participation.

With talent initially signing single-film contracts for the 2023 release, Warner Bros. faces a strict timeline. The studio must finalize deals with the creative team before December 2026, when option rights for the franchise revert to Mattel.