Among the reported sticking points is Gosling’s salary, with the Oscar-nominated actor said to be seeking $20 million to reprise his scene-stealing role as Ken. The negotiations also include discussions over potential box office bonuses for the film’s principal talent.
Ryan Gosling’s Reported Salary Request Is Part of Wider ‘Barbie 2’ Negotiations
The reported pay increase comes after “Barbie” became one of Hollywood’s biggest success stories in recent years. Released in July 2023, Greta Gerwig’s fantasy comedy earned more than $1.4 billion worldwide, became Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing movie at the time, and received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Gosling also earned his first Oscar nomination for playing Ken.
While the A-lister’s reported $20 million asking price has drawn attention, the negotiations involve more than his salary. The New York Times reports that key creatives have also discussed receiving a share of future box office revenue if the sequel reaches agreed performance targets. According to the report, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is reportedly reluctant to approve that level of compensation.
Another major factor is Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach’s involvement. The filmmaker and screenwriter reportedly have an idea for the sequel but have not shared it with the studio while negotiations remain unresolved. Securing the pair is considered a priority after their collaboration helped transform “Barbie” into both a commercial blockbuster and an awards contender.
Warner Bros. is also working against the calendar. If agreements are not finalized before the rights revert to Mattel in December, the toy company would regain control of the property and could pursue a new version of “Barbie” with a different creative team and cast. In a statement, Warner Bros. co-chairs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, saying the studio has made multiple offers but has not yet reached agreements to move the sequel forward.