The candy-coloured juggernaut that was Barbie turned the box office hot pink in 2023, raking in a casual $1.4 billion worldwide. Now, the question hanging in the air like a perfectly coiffed doll’s dream house: “When’s the sequel?”
According to whispers from Hollywood’s grapevine (and by that, we mean The Hollywood Reporter), Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the creative masterminds behind the first film, are reportedly tinkering with ideas for a second outing. However, both the duo’s representatives and Warner Bros. are busy shouting, “Fake news!” while presumably winking behind closed doors.
A Story Worth Its Stilettos
Gerwig, the director and co-writer of the original, has been clear about her approach: no sequel unless it’s got a story that’s truly worth telling. “What’s the undertow?” she mused earlier this year, referring to the deeper meaning behind the sparkly surface. And apparently, an undertow might have emerged, because rumour has it the pair have pitched an idea to Warner Bros.
Still, it’s early days, with no script in hand and schedules to wrangle. Baumbach, for instance, is currently polishing his star-studded Netflix project, while Gerwig is busy prepping her “rock and roll” take on The Chronicles of Narnia.
Back to Barbie Land?
No one’s spilling plot details yet—Barbie’s Dream World is airtight, after all—but Gerwig’s previously hinted she’d love to revisit the fabulous pink universe. “There’s a tone, a humour, and a joy in Barbie Land. I want to go back,” she told People before the first film’s release.
Margot Robbie’s Role in the Magic
Margot Robbie, who not only starred as Barbie but also produced the film through her LuckyChap banner, has been a cheerleader for Gerwig from day one. “Greta cracked the code on this film,” she gushed. And with Barbie picking up eight Oscar nominations (including Best Picture), who can argue?
Can Lightning Strike Twice?
If the sequel materialises, it’s got big shoes—pink, glittery ones—to fill. The original became a cultural phenomenon, blending nostalgia with sharp social commentary. Critics praised Gerwig and Baumbach’s smart screenplay for balancing the whimsy of Barbie’s world with a thoughtful critique of her legacy.
But with the dynamic duo’s knack for storytelling and an audience hungry for more Barbie magic, the sequel might just have the legs to strut back into cinemas. Until then, fans can keep dreaming of a return to Barbie Land, where existential crises are resolved with dance parties, and plastic heels always stay on.
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