Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is one of 2023’s biggest releases, and following the near-universal critical acclaim and praise from both critics and general audiences alike, Barbie 2 is already being speculated about. The Barbie movie is a subversive take on the iconic toy brand, crafting an entirely original story that sees Barbie dragged from her fictional universe and forced to deal with the challenges of the real world. It’s filled with bright colors and recognizable faces that give the project a distinct atmosphere, with the countless jokes and Easter eggs already opening the door for a potential sequel in the future.

The marketing around Margot Robbie’s Barbie, Ryan Gosling’s Ken, and especially John Cena’s Merman went near-viral months before Barbie hit theaters. Barbie is an extremely exciting movie for both kids who grew up playing with the dolls and those who didn’t, as it takes everything that’s made the property so successful and turns it into something fresh and entertaining for modern audiences. Barbie 2 could easily continue these ideas and expand Greta Gerwig’s universe even further after Barbie’s ending.

Barbie 2 Latest News

Greta Gerwig Warms To The Idea Of Barbie 2

With the Oscar season winding down, the latest news for the sequel sees director Greta Gerwig express interest in Barbie 2. Though the acclaimed filmmaker was initially averse to returning to helm a sequel, the Lady Bird director has seemingly reversed course. Though there isn’t an announcement that the sequel is happening, Gerwig said “I’m not dismissing it, I want to do it,” when asked about Barbie 2. The sequel still has a rough path to a green light as Gerwig’s busy schedule and Margot Robbie’s reticence might cause it to stall out.

Barbie 2 Isn’t Confirmed

Barbie 2 Has Not Been Given The Green Light

Barbie 2 remains unconfirmed, but the idea is very much alive. Movies like Barbie are engineered for sequels, with rich world-building and plenty of unexplored ideas that could later constitute exciting stories instead. There are so many different versions of Barbie in the movie that only get short amounts of screen time, but whose backstories could be developed further if Greta Gerwig was allowed to expand this project into a series or even a franchise. The possibilities for stories would also be limitless, given the amount of source material that already exists from the Barbie TV shows.

What Greta Gerwig & Margot Robbie Have Said About Barbie 2

Mixed Messages Concerning A Barbie Sequel

Star Margot Robbie has made it clear that she doesn’t see where the series could go, and was very candid about how the original film wasn’t designed as a series. Likewise, Greta Gerwig seems hesitant about directing Barbie 2, commenting, “I feel like that at the end of every movie, like I’ll never have another idea and everything I’ve ever wanted to do, I did. I wouldn’t want to squash anybody else’s dream but for me, at this moment, I’m at totally zero.”

However, after some time has passed since the release of the first film, director Greta Gerwig has seemingly warmed to the idea of returning for the sequel. In March 2024, Gerwig reversed her previous statements and endorsed the idea of making Barbie 2. Unfortunately, Gerwig’s work on Netflix’s Chronicles of Narnia film series might delay the sequel for quite some time.

Barbie 2 Cast

Who Could Return In Barbie 2?

The Barbie 2 cast, like that of the original, would have to be something really impressive to live up to expectations. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling would likely have to reprise their roles as Barbie and Ken. However, given that Robbie’s Barbie becomes a real-life woman in the final act, it’ll require some creative writing to bring the actor back.

Given that there are no character deaths in Barbie, every Barbie actor could potentially return. Other Barbie and Ken actors could return to the Barbie 2 cast with larger roles, such as Simu Liu and John Cena. The Barbie movie has already gained a reputation for its huge ensemble of actors, so Barbie 2 would also need some impressive cameos if it wants to maintain the same style.

Barbie 2 Story Details

The Possibilities Are Endless For Barbie 2

Since Barbie follows the title character traveling to the real world and seeing how everything is so different there, Barbie 2 could follow a similar formula and take her around the world to even more exotic locations. There’s also the possibility that Barbie 2 could take place entirely in Barbieland, or maybe even visit the universes of other popular toy brands. Since the rights to the doll lie with the entertainment company Mattel, there’s no reason they couldn’t integrate other toys into this story and expand the universe even further.

However, Barbie ends surprisingly definitively, as Barbie becomes a real-life woman, there are no hints at a sequel, and there shockingly isn’t even a Barbie post-credits scene. This comes as a surprise given that the IP-driven movie has huge franchise potential. Nevertheless, Barbie 2 could still happen and maybe even feature a Barbie who isn’t played by Robbie in the lead role. Given that Barbie establishes a seemingly infinite number of Barbies and Kens, Barbie 2 could follow any of them — or it could eschew them entirely, focusing instead on Barbie learning to live in the real world.