The Highly Anticipated Barbie Sequel: All You Need to Know
Will the Barbie sequel happen if Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie decline to return? Explore the potential challenges of creating Barbie 2 without these talented actresses
Highlights
Barbie's massive commercial success makes a sequel seem like a no-brainer, but it might not be the best artistic decision.
While there may be numerous business incentives for creating a sequel, from a creative standpoint, Barbie thrives as a standalone film. A sequel could potentially delve into Barbie's adaptation to the human world, but it would fail to provide significant depth or introduce any fresh elements to the narrative.
Warning: This article includes spoilers for Barbie. Despite the massive success of Barbie, a sequel may not be the optimal artistic decision, and both Margot Robbie and writer-director Greta Gerwig may not reprise their roles. Barbie earned a staggering $337 million in its opening weekend, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie as the highest-grossing film of 2023. In a time when theaters struggle to draw audiences, Barbie has managed to attract a demographic that hasn't shown interest in comedy movies for over ten years. While less successful films have quickly received sequels, the decision for Barbie 2 remains uncertain.
Warner Bros. executives must be extremely frustrated as they witness Barbie's rapid ascent to the billion-dollar milestone. However, while there are numerous business justifications for creating a sequel to Barbie, the creative motivations for a follow-up are severely limited. Barbie stands as a stand-alone movie, effectively conveying its message within its concise 114-minute duration. The concluding scene leaves Barbie in a positive state, with a perfect conclusion to her personal development journey. Barbie 2 would be unable to bring any further insights on identity or gender inequality that were not already explored in the first film. Although a Barbie sequel is almost certain to be produced, it will inevitably encounter the same pitfalls as comedy sequels such as Zoolander 2, Anchorman 2, and The Hangover Part II, ending up as a disappointment.
Does Barbie Leave Room For A Sequel?
The ending of Barbie doesn't conclusively rule out the possibility of a sequel, but it also doesn't leave much room for Barbie 2. In the final moments, Barbie decides to permanently leave her world and become a human being in the real world. This life-altering transformation is humorously depicted as Barbie eagerly visiting a gynecologist's office for the first time. It serves as the definitive conclusion to Barbie's story. While a sequel could explore Barbie's adjustment to human life and potentially deliver some enjoyable comedic moments, her character development has already reached a happy ending. She has evolved from an anxious, cellulite-plagued Barbie into a confident and content human being. There seems to be no compelling reason to continue her journey (unless the prospect of earning billions of dollars for Warner Bros. is considered).
Typically, a sequel to a movie where a character transitions from a fantasy world to the real world could offer a new perspective. However, Barbie managed to explore both aspects in the same film. Once Barbie enters the real world, she brings along Gloria, played by America Ferrera, and her daughter Sasha. This means that the concept of Barbie 2 utilizing this idea is not viable. It is certainly possible to develop a storyline for Barbie 2, whether it involves other Barbies following Stereotypical Barbie into reality or the Kens attempting to regain power. However, such a sequel would not contribute anything substantial to the narrative.
The first movie already conveyed its intended message effectively. It touched on various topics including feminism, existentialism, womanhood, body image, the patriarchy, the relationship between mothers and daughters, self-identity, and even delved into the profound philosophical theme of the human condition. Barbie 2 would inevitably be a shallow repetition of the original film, addressing the same themes and promoting the same messages, solely aiming to profit from the first movie's overwhelming success at the box office.
What Would Barbie 2 Without Gerwig Or Robbie Look Like?
Gerwig and Robbie have not committed to a potential sequel for Barbie, although Gerwig is currently signed on to direct two movies for Netflix based on The Chronicles of Narnia books. Warner Bros. may not want to wait for Gerwig to finish those projects before making Barbie 2. Additionally, Robbie may be hesitant to join another long-running franchise after her experiences with the DC Extended Universe.
Despite the uncertainty, it is likely that Barbie will receive a sequel based on its success. However, it would be a mistake to proceed without the involvement of Gerwig and Robbie. Their direction and sincerity were essential in making the first film enjoyable, rather than relying solely on the brand itself. If the sequel has more input from Mattel and less from Gerwig and Robbie, it could result in a soulless corporate product that many viewers initially feared.
