"Barbie" Sequel Already Being Discussed

A sequel to Greta Gerwig's live-action Barbie movie has already been discussed, but star Margot Robbie is hesitant to broach the idea of a sequel just yet.

"Barbie" sees Robbie starring as the iconic Mattel doll of the same name and follows Robbie's character as she embarks on a journey to the Real World with Ken (Ryan Gosling) after she is kicked out of Barbie Land for being imperfect.

As the Barbie release date approaches, a new report from Time suggests that talk of a potential sequel is already happening behind the scenes. 

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz is said to be particularly enthusiastic about the idea of more Barbie movies and Robbie has been involved in early conversations about such projects. However, that actress seems more interested in focusing on the first one for now.

“It could go a million different directions from this point. But I think you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels,” Robbie commented.

While the first Barbie isn't even out yet, the long history of the doll and its appearance across various multimedia projects suggests there are a number of options available to continue the story. The doll, for example, has been featured in books, video games, and animated movies, any number of which could serve as inspiration for "Barbie 2" or other movies.

The Barbie Horse Adventures video game series, for example, features Barbie living the ranch life, going on adventures with her trusty steed. A holiday-themed story could also be a potential option, with 2001's "Barbie in the Nutcracker" depicting a magical tale in which the Mattel doll, Clara, and a Nutcracker set off on a quest to find the Sugarplum Princess. While there are a number of options available, then, for a Barbie sequel, there is one potential problem.

As showcased by the trailer for Barbie, the upcoming movie is a very metatextual story, following Robbie's character as she deals with major existential issues. 

None of the previous franchise stories have taken this route, meaning Gerwig and co-screenwriter Noah Baumbach would have to find another meta way into the franchise, using the new lore that they establish, such as the distinction between Barbie Land and the Real World, to tell a fresh story. 

The potential sequel depends on the storytelling considerations as well as how the first movie is received and how much money it makes at the box office.