First concept for Barbie 2

With worldwide box office takings of over 1.4 billion dollars, the live-action film adaptation of "Barbie" last year, was a huge success. There have been speculations about a sequel for a long time – and now it seems that the first ideas are emerging.

The creators of the film, Greta Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach, had emphasized from the outset, that a strong idea had to be the basis for a second part. According to an article in the Hollywood Reporter, they now seem to have found what they were looking for. Warner Bros. is still keeping a low profile, but insider sources report that the duo has submitted a pitch for "Barbie 2" to the studio.

Although there is no official confirmation yet, a potential sequel is likely to face some challenges - both creatively and organizationally. Margot Robbie, who did not only shine as Barbie but was also behind the project as a producer, and Ryan Gosling as Ken are just as much in demand as Greta Gerwig herself. The latter is currently working on an ambitious remake of the "Chronicles of Narnia" for Netflix, among other things.

The first film set a high bar – not only financially, but also in terms of content. So it remains to be seen whether the sequel can keep up.

Barbie: the biggest box office hit of 2023

The film "Barbie" not only conquered the box office in 2023, but also had a lasting impact on the cultural landscape. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the iconic Mattel doll, which has been conquering children's bedrooms around the world for over six decades, became a multi-layered and subversive cinema phenomenon. With box office takings of 1.45 billion US dollars, Barbie became the most successful film of the year – a success that set new standards both commercially and culturally.

A cultural phenomenon

At the center of the film is Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, who travels from her perfect, pastel-colored BarbieLand to the real world. What begins as a cheerful journey quickly develops into a profound confrontation with identity, self-worth and society's expectations. At the same time, Barbie is confronted with the reality of the patriarchy, while Ken (Ryan Gosling) introduces these power structures into BarbieLand with humorous exaggeration.

This unusual combination of satire, social criticism and nostalgic humor has delighted audiences and critics alike. The film struck a nerve by intelligently playing with gender roles, consumer culture and the search for meaning in modern life. Greta Gerwig's direction in particular was praised for her ability to turn a brand like Barbie into an astute yet accessible movie.

A financial triumph

In addition to its depth of content, Barbie was also a commercial triumph. The film broke records on its opening weekend, grossing over 162 million US dollars in the USA – a start that catapulted it straight to the top of the box office charts. Internationally, the performance was similarly strong, ultimately making Barbie Warner Bros.' biggest success ever. The film outperformed other blockbusters such as "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and proved that films with female lead characters and feminist undertones can be successful not only artistically but also commercially.

Barbenheimer: Two worlds collide

The success of "Barbie" was boosted by the unique Barbenheimer phenomenon - the simultaneous release of Barbie and Christopher Nolan's historical drama "Oppenheimer". Fans all over the world flocked to the cinema to experience both films in a double feature. The contrasts could hardly have been greater: While Oppenheimer told the grim story of the atomic bomb, Barbie brought color, wit and joie de vivre to the screen. Pink triumphed in the end, but the interplay between the two films became a symbol of the range that cinema could offer in 2023.

A new era for Barbie

The success of 'Barbie' has shown that the iconic doll is more than just a toy. Greta Gerwig and her team cast the character in a new light and proved that a supposedly superficial brand can tell profound stories. The film became a cultural milestone that sparked discussions about role models and social expectations of women.

With awards, including an Oscar for the screenplay, and the prospect of a possible sequel, Barbie remains one of the most influential figures in pop culture, not only in 2023 but also in the future. The success of the film marks a new era - for Barbie and for cinema.