Skydance reportedly planning Barbie 2 sequel after Warner Bros. acquisition

Skydance is reportedly moving forward with plans to develop Barbie 2, the sequel to the 2023 hit film, after acquiring Warner Bros.' entertainment catalog. However, negotiations with key talent like Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling remain uncertain as they are tied to other projects.

Tarun Mottlia

Editor, Lazyfounder

Published Oct 4, 20264 min read

Skydance reportedly planning Barbie 2 sequel after Warner Bros. acquisition — Image: © Warner Bros. via source

30 SEC SUMMARY

Skydance is planning a sequel to the 2023 hit Barbie after acquiring Warner Bros.' catalog.
Warner Bros. previously failed to secure a Barbie 2 deal with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling by a December deadline.
Rights to Barbie 2 would have reverted to Mattel if Warner Bros. had not reached an agreement.
Skydance’s new leadership, including former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, is driving the sequel’s development.
Gerwig, Robbie, and Gosling are currently committed to other projects, potentially delaying production.

Skydance’s plans for Barbie 2
Warner Bros.' failed negotiations
Talent commitments delay production
Leadership changes at Skydance
What this means
Key takeaways
FAQ
Sources

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Skydance is reportedly planning to develop Barbie 2 after acquiring Warner Bros.' catalog.
Warner Bros. had attempted to negotiate a sequel with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling but failed to reach an agreement by December.
The rights to Barbie 2 would have reverted to Mattel if Warner Bros. had not secured a deal by the deadline.
Former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, now co-CEO of Skydance, is involved in the sequel’s development.
Key talent, including Gerwig, Robbie, and Gosling, are currently committed to other projects, which may delay production.

Skydance’s plans for Barbie 2

According to Gizmodo, Skydance is planning to develop Barbie 2 as one of its first major projects following its acquisition of Warner Bros.' entertainment catalog. The 2023 film Barbie was a billion-dollar success, making a sequel a high priority for the studio.

Skydance, known for producing crowd-pleasing films, is reportedly in need of new projects to drive its pipeline. Sources indicate that moves are being made to ensure Barbie 2 moves forward, though details remain unclear.

Warner Bros.' failed negotiations

Warner Bros. had spent months negotiating with director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling for a Barbie sequel. However, the studio failed to reach an agreement by a December deadline, which would have caused the rights to revert to Mattel, the toy company behind the franchise.

Former Warner Bros. head David Zaslav was reportedly involved in these negotiations, but the lack of a deal left the sequel’s future uncertain until Skydance’s acquisition of the catalog.

Talent commitments delay production

Key figures involved in the original Barbie film are currently committed to other projects, complicating Skydance’s plans. Greta Gerwig is directing Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix, while Ryan Gosling is set to star in Marvel’s Ghost Rider. Margot Robbie, meanwhile, is co-starring in the upcoming Ocean’s film.

It remains unclear how negotiations with Gerwig, Robbie, and Gosling have progressed under Skydance’s leadership. Their involvement is considered critical to the sequel’s success, but their current commitments may delay production.

Leadership changes at Skydance

Skydance’s push for Barbie 2 is being led in part by Ynon Kreiz, the former CEO of Mattel, who now serves as co-CEO of Skydance. Kreiz’s involvement could help streamline the sequel’s development, given his background with the Barbie brand.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

This situation reflects the complexities of managing intellectual property after a major acquisition. Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros.' catalog gives it control over Barbie’s future, but the real challenge lies in securing the talent that made the original film a success. For founders and operators, this is a reminder that ownership of an idea or product is only part of the equation—execution depends on people, and their availability can make or break timelines. The entertainment industry’s reliance on star power and creative talent mirrors the tech world’s dependence on key employees or visionary leaders. Delays are inevitable when those individuals are juggling multiple priorities, and studios (or startups) must navigate these realities carefully.

Key takeaways

Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros.' catalog includes the rights to develop Barbie 2, a sequel to the 2023 hit film.
Warner Bros. previously failed to secure a deal with Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling, risking the loss of rights to Mattel.
Key talent’s current commitments to other projects may delay production, despite Skydance’s efforts.
Former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz’s role at Skydance could accelerate the sequel’s development.

FAQ

Will Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling return for Barbie 2?

Negotiations with the trio remain unclear. All three are currently committed to other projects, which could delay their involvement in a sequel.

Why did Warner Bros. lose the opportunity to develop Barbie 2?

Warner Bros. failed to reach an agreement with the film’s key talent by a December deadline, which would have caused the rights to revert to Mattel.

How does Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. affect Barbie 2?

Skydance now controls Warner Bros.' entertainment catalog, including the rights to Barbie, and is reportedly prioritizing the sequel’s development.

Who is leading the development of Barbie 2 at Skydance?

Ynon Kreiz, former CEO of Mattel and now co-CEO of Skydance, is involved in the sequel’s development.

Related on Lazyfounder

Sources

Gizmodo · 2026-10-03
‘Barbie 2’ May Happen After All

This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.

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