Greta Gerwig Opens Up About Possibility of a Sequel

While the idea of Warner Bros making Barbie 2 cannot be completely dismissed, Greta Gerwig does not seem to have a clear vision for a sequel. In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, Gerwig expressed uncertainty about what a Barbie sequel would entail (per Discussing Film). Instead, she appears to be more inclined towards creating an “original” movie with similar grandeur.

“I don’t know what more could even look like,” Gerwig admitted. “We want to make more films that have the effect that Barbie has. I don’t know if it has to be Barbie 2.

“Why can’t it be another big, original, bold idea where we get an amazing filmmaker, a big budget to play with, and the trust of a huge conglomerate behind them to go and really play? I want to do that,” she added.

Barbie was a tremendous success. The film became the highest-grossing movie of 2024, earning over $1.4 billion worldwide. It also garnered eight Oscar nominations at the 2024 ceremony.

No official word has been given on Barbie 2 happening. Gerwig previously mentioned that she would “want to do it,” but the final decision rests with Warner Bros. She also revealed that they wrote “way too much” material for Ken (played by Ryan Gosling), suggesting the potential for a spin-off movie.

Although the first movie outperformed every other film in 2023, the possibility of a Barbie sequel remains uncertain. Fans will have to wait and see if it eventually comes to fruition.

The first Barbie movie follows the titular character, played by Margot Robbie, as she grapples with her mortality. After questioning the concept of death, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. This leads her to the real world with Ken, who discovers the notion of patriarchy there.

In addition to Robbie and Gosling, the film stars America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, and Ariana Greenblatt. Dua Lipa, John Cena, Simu Liu, and Kingsley Ben-Adir also appear as different versions of Barbie and Ken.

Greta Gerwig is an acclaimed actress and filmmaker. She began her career with roles in films such as LOL, Hannah Takes the Stairs, and Baghead. Between 2011-2015, she had a main voice role in the animated show China, IL.

Her first collaboration with her now-husband, Noah Baumbach, came in 2010 with Greenberg, after which she starred in several of his other films, including Frances Ha, Mistress America, and White Noise.

Gerwig made her directorial debut in 2008, co-directing Nights and Weekends with Joe Swanberg. She had previously starred in some of his films, like LOL and Hannah Takes the Stairs (she also co-wrote the latter).

Her solo directorial debut came in 2017 with the critically acclaimed Lady Bird, a coming-of-age movie that became one of A24’s most significant releases. It grossed nearly $80 million at the box office and received five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

She followed this success with an adaptation of Little Women in 2019. Saoirse Ronan starred in this film, which also featured Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, and Florence Pugh. The movie grossed over $210 million at the box office and earned six Oscar nominations.

Looking ahead, Gerwig co-wrote the script for Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White. However, she did not direct it; Marc Webb, known for The Amazing Spider-Man, took on that role.

Source: Discussing Film, 60 Minutes