Warner Bros. Deal Stalemate Threatens Barbie Sequel Amid Pay Dispute

Warner Bros. Discovery is locked in protracted talks with the Barbie franchise’s key creators over a sequel, and no deal has been finalized. The studio, led by CEO David Zaslav, has presented what insiders call its most substantial offer ever, yet the team—director Greta Gerwig, co-writer Noah Baumbach, lead actor Ryan Gosling and producer-star Margot Robbie—has rejected it, citing demands for higher upfront fees and larger back-end participation.

Over the past three years the studio has made more than six proposals, all of which were declined. The studio has a four-month window to move the project into active development before the rights revert to Mattel, which would then have to start a new version of the film. Mattel’s own studio unit, eager to capitalize on the original’s success, is watching the negotiations closely, while potential buyer David Ellison could revive the rights if he acquires Warner Bros. The parties involved have declined to comment.