Warner Bros. Faces December Deadline as Barbie Film Rights Revert to Mattel

Warner Bros. is negotiating sequel deals with director Greta Gerwig, producer-star Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling before its Barbie film rights revert to Mattel in December, per Variety (1 August 2026). Miss the deadline and Mattel redevelops the property with a new filmmaker, cast and concept. The original grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide in 2023. No deals have closed.