Warner Bros. is trying to secure a sequel to Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Barbie film, but must finalise agreements with Gerwig, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling by the end of 2026. The deadline matters because the Barbie film rights would otherwise return to Mattel, preventing Warner Bros. from continuing its existing version of the franchise.

The three principal creatives were not contractually committed to a sequel and moved on to other projects after Barbie’s success. Warner Bros. says it has made several major offers but has not reached an agreement, while a spokesperson attributed delays to the representatives of Gerwig, Robbie and Gosling; if rights revert, Mattel could make another Barbie film, but not one connected to Warner Bros.’ adaptation.