Barbie 2 Faces Challenges Due to Star Salary Demands
The sequel to the 2023 blockbuster 'Barbie' is struggling due to high salary demands from its stars, with Warner Bros. facing a deadline to finalize the project.
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2023 blockbuster "Barbie" is currently facing significant hurdles, primarily due to the exorbitant salary demands of its stars.
Warner Bros. is under pressure to finalize the sequel by December of this year. If they fail to do so, the film rights will expire, allowing Mattel, the rights holder, to seek other opportunities for the franchise, as reported by The New York Times.
Initially, the studio did not foresee the monumental success of the first film, which has led to complications in contract negotiations. Neither director Greta Gerwig nor stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling signed on for multiple films, necessitating new agreements for the upcoming project.
This situation has allowed the actors to leverage their newfound popularity. Reports indicate that Gosling, who showcased his star power in the sci-fi film "The Astronaut" available on Blu-ray through Amazon, is demanding a staggering $20 million for his role in the sequel. This marks a significant increase from his $12.5 million salary for the original film.
Warner Bros. executives Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca have acknowledged the challenging negotiations, stating:
"We have an existing licensing agreement with Mattel and have made a number of generous offers to finalize the production of the next 'Barbie' film. However, we have yet to reach an agreement."
Another sequel in the works is "Pirates of the Caribbean 6," which has also been in development for years.
Concerns Over Financial Risks
Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav appears hesitant to meet the high salary demands of the cast and crew, which includes Gerwig and her husband, writer Noah Baumbach. There are concerns that agreeing to these demands could lead to a financial disaster reminiscent of the sequel to "Joker," which underperformed at the box office.
The original "Joker" released in 2019 grossed over a billion dollars, whereas its follow-up in 2024 only managed to earn $207 million. Joaquin Phoenix, who reprised his role, received $20 million for the sequel, a stark contrast to his initial salary of just $4.5 million for the first film.
Gerwig and Baumbach reportedly have ideas for "Barbie 2" but are keeping these details under wraps until negotiations are finalized. It’s clear that the stakes are high as both the studio and the stars navigate this intricate negotiation process.
