*Ryan Gosling, Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie at a Barbie photo call on June 25, 2023. Courtesy of Jon Kopaloff/Getty.*

‘Barbie’ dazzled the world with its iconic pink aesthetic and raked in a staggering $1.4 billion at the global box office — and audiences only had one question: Will there be a sequel?

The ultimate decision has always rested in the hands of Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the creative duo behind the movie. While the idea of a franchise seemed almost inevitable, they’ve made it clear that a sequel would only happen if they could uncover a meaningful story.

The couple, both life and creative partners, co-wrote the original screenplay and earned an Oscar nomination for their efforts. Gerwig has consistently emphasized that her motivation for a follow-up lies in finding a compelling narrative. “My guiding principle is always asking, ‘What do I truly love? What genuinely matters to me? What’s the deeper story here?’” she said while accepting Time’s Women of the Year honors in March 2024. “If I discover that deeper current, then it’s worth pursuing. If not, there’s no sequel.”

According to sources close to the matter, it seems that Gerwig and Baumbach have indeed found that “undertow” and have even pitched an idea for a sequel to Warner Bros. While everything remains in the “early stages,” the discovery of a story has reportedly opened the door to preliminary deal discussions.

Despite this, representatives for both the filmmakers and the studio have pushed back on these reports. A spokesperson for Gerwig and Baumbach stated, “There is no legitimacy to this reporting,” while Warner Bros. added, “THR’s reporting is inaccurate.”

If a deal comes to fruition, the next steps would involve crafting a screenplay and coordinating schedules. Baumbach is currently immersed in postproduction on his upcoming Netflix film, an untitled star-studded coming-of-age story featuring a cast that includes Gerwig, George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and others. Meanwhile, Gerwig is preparing for her own Netflix project, a rock-and-roll-inspired adaptation of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’ produced by Amy Pascal, in which Gerwig said would be a more “rock ‘n’ roll” adaptation.

Sources suggest that Baumbach would likely take the lead on writing the sequel initially, with the pair swapping drafts as they typically do. During a WGA West Q&A in late 2023, the duo explained their collaborative process, noting that they write independently before sharing drafts and gauging each other’s reactions. “We listen to see if the other person laughs,” Gerwig revealed during the panel.

As for the sequel’s storyline, details are tightly guarded, and it’s unlikely any hints will emerge soon. Gerwig, in particular, is cautious about revealing concepts prematurely. “Whenever I’ve shared ideas too early, they seem to lose their magic, and the film ends up not being as strong,” she said during the same WGA discussion. “I prefer to keep things under wraps until they’re fully formed.”

Margot Robbie, who played a pivotal role as both star and producer of ‘Barbie’ through her production company LuckyChap, has been instrumental in the franchise’s success. Following the film’s critical acclaim and eight Oscar nominations—including one for Best Picture—Robbie praised Gerwig’s visionary direction. “Greta cracked the code on this movie like only she could,” Robbie said in early 2024. “Her vision was extraordinary, bringing humanity, creativity, magic, and joy to ‘Barbie.’”

The film ultimately secured one Academy Award for Best Original Song, with Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell winning for their emotional ballad, “What Was I Made For.” In addition to its Oscar nods, ‘Barbie’ garnered numerous accolades throughout the awards season while being critically and commercially praised. Alongside Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the cast included America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, and Ariana Greenblatt.

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