Barbie Sequel Officially in Early Development as Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach Align on New Ideas
When Barbie hit theatres in July 2023, it wasn’t just a movie—it was a cultural phenomenon. Combining nostalgia, wit, and a modern feminist lens, the film captivated audiences worldwide, sparking conversations that went far beyond the pink, glittery exterior. Directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written with Noah Baumbach, the movie redefined how a blockbuster could entertain while delivering thought-provoking social commentary.
A Long-Awaited Sequel on the Horizon
More than a year after Barbie became a box-office sensation, news of a sequel is finally emerging. Released in July 2023, the original film opened to a staggering $162 million, eventually grossing $636.2 million domestically and an impressive $1.4 billion worldwide.
Despite this overwhelming success, a sequel was never a certainty. Filmmaker Greta Gerwig and her husband, co-writer Noah Baumbach, initially expressed hesitancy about continuing the story. Speaking at Time magazine’s Women of the Year event in March 2024, Gerwig reflected on her creative process: “My North Star is: What do I genuinely love? What do I deeply care about? What’s the story beneath the story? If I find that underground stream, then we’ll have something. If I don’t, then there’s nothing more to tell.”
Progress on the Barbie Sequel
According, Gerwig, 41, and Baumbach, 55, appear to have found that “underground stream.” Early reports suggest the pair has pitched an idea for a sequel to Warner Bros., with preliminary talks underway.
Although this marks a significant step forward, both Warner Bros. and representatives for Gerwig and Baumbach have dismissed the claims. “There is no legitimacy to this report,” said a spokesperson for the duo. A Warner Bros. representative added, “The THR report is inaccurate.”
Challenges Ahead
Even if the sequel is greenlit, production could take time to materialize. Noah Baumbach is currently in post-production on an untitled Netflix film featuring Gerwig, Adam Sandler, George Clooney, and Laura Dern.
Meanwhile, Greta Gerwig is developing a new adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix, which remains in its early stages. Neither project has a confirmed release date, and their completion timelines could delay the start of the Barbie sequel’s scriptwriting process.
Writing Process and Creative Dynamics
Insiders suggest Baumbach may begin writing the sequel after finishing his Netflix project, with the couple expected to exchange drafts multiple times. At a WGA West event in October 2023, Gerwig discussed her writing philosophy: “I’ve found that whenever I share ideas too early, they turn bad, and the movie doesn’t work anymore. I don’t like to talk about things too soon or pitch concepts prematurely because it feels like it ruins the magic of the film.”
Returning Cast Members
Fans of the original film will be thrilled to hear that Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are set to reprise their roles as Barbie and Ken. However, it remains unclear which other cast members will return.
The ensemble cast of the first movie included America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Issa Rae, Alexandra Shipp, Dua Lipa, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Michael Cera, among others.
As fans await official confirmation, the idea of a Barbie sequel continues to generate excitement. With Gerwig and Baumbach’s proven creative synergy, the second installment could deliver the same magic—and perhaps even surpass—the groundbreaking success of the original film.
Though the timeline remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Barbie’s story is far from over.
