Barbie 2' Production Halted Over Salary Disputes for Stars

WHO:

Coming Soon - Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are the leading stars of Barbie 2.

Hypebeast - Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is involved in the negotiations.

WHAT:

Coming Soon - Production of Barbie 2 is threatened due to salary disputes.

Hypebeast - Negotiations for Barbie 2 have stalled over talent compensation and profit-sharing terms.

Hypebeast - Ryan Gosling is reportedly seeking a $20 million USD salary.

WHEN:

Hypebeast - Warner Bros. must reach an agreement by December 2026, or the film rights will revert to Mattel.

WHY:

Hypebeast - David Zaslav characterized the proposed salary terms for the stars as overly generous.

HOW:

Hypebeast - The studio is negotiating contracts with the creative team, which includes director Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach, who have developed a story concept for the sequel.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 22:07 UTC)

Production of Barbie 2, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is facing challenges due to salary disputes, with Gosling reportedly asking for a $20 million USD salary. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is involved in negotiations that have stalled over talent compensation and profit-sharing terms, and the studio must reach an agreement by December 2026, or the film rights will revert to Mattel. Zaslav has described the proposed salary terms for the stars as overly generous, while the studio continues to negotiate contracts with director Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach, who have developed a story concept for the sequel.