Warner Bros executive Pam Abdy expressed interest in creating a sequel to the successful Barbie film, stating, “We’d love to,”
Pam Abdy tells the BBC the studio would be keen to make a sequel to the hugely successful Barbie film.
The movie grossed $1.4 billion (£1.1 billion) worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023.
Abdy, the co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, expressed that the film had broken numerous records.
She mentioned that discussions about a sequel were ongoing between both parties, with the ultimate decision resting with Gerwig.
Earlier this week, Gerwig expressed her openness to the idea of a sequel, provided she discovers the right “undertow” for the film.
With the Oscars approaching on Sunday, Abdy acknowledged feeling disappointed that Margot Robbie did not receive a nomination for best actress and that Gerwig was overlooked for best director. Abdy described Gerwig as a “visionary” and “one of the premier filmmakers of our time”.
Abdy expressed hesitance to label Academy voters as sexist, but she is concerned that many of them may not have watched the movie. Despite efforts to diversify its 10,000-member body, the Academy remains primarily composed of white males. Abdy and I conversed at the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank, Los Angeles—a sprawling landscape of 110 acres featuring sound stages, painted facades, and iconic streets where numerous beloved films have been filmed.
Last year marked the centennial celebration of this studio, and every corner of the lot exudes a sense of familiarity. We’ve all encountered it before.
Just around the bend from the café in Casablanca where Humphrey Bogart’s Rick and Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa ignited their Parisian romance, you’ll find the imposing courthouse featured in Ben Affleck’s Oscar-winning Argo.
The Covent Garden setting of My Fair Lady was meticulously crafted in a nearby soundstage.
Warner Bros., the studio behind the Oscar-winning classic Casablanca featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, is renowned for its contributions to cinematic history.
In Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, Tom Cruise navigates a building adorned with a zigzag of metal fire escape steps.
La La Land showcases Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling strolling along the backlot streets.
Christopher Nolan, known for directing the Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, Dunkirk, Interstellar, and other acclaimed films, utilized a vast soundstage filled with water for Dunkirk.
However, in 2020, Nolan parted ways with Warner Bros., expressing discontent over the company’s decision to release a year’s worth of new movies on its streaming platform.
Nolan proceeded to create his Bafta-winning and highly anticipated Oscar contender centered around the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in collaboration with Universal. This decision dealt a significant blow to the rival studio, prompting them to take heed.
Abdy remarks that she cannot assess the motives behind their actions as it predates her tenure. She believes Warner Bros. was attempting to adapt “in the middle of a pandemic.” Nevertheless, she acknowledges the loss of one of its prominent figures and expresses a desire to entice Nolan back into the fold.
Pam Abdy embarked on her career journey at Jersey Films, the production company behind the iconic Pulp Fiction. Initially serving as a receptionist, she then transitioned into the role of Danny DeVito’s assistant. DeVito, the director and actor, selected her, possibly drawn to her distinctive New Jersey accent.
Driving DeVito to work daily, Abdy took the opportunity to explore the sets while he was engrossed in his lines. This allowed her to immerse herself in the filmmaking process, observing each department’s operations and understanding their daily requirements.
Her time at Jersey Films proved invaluable as she absorbed a wealth of knowledge. Eventually, Abdy ascended to the position of president and subsequently held esteemed roles at Paramount Pictures, MGM, and presently, Warner Bros. Her trajectory positions her as one of the most influential women in Hollywood.
Less than two years ago, Warner Bros hired her and her co-chair, Michael De Luca, with the objective of restoring the studio to its former glory. However, Warner Bros hasn’t clinched a Best Picture Oscar since “Argo” in 2013. The company is part of Warner Bros Discovery, which also owns media titles like CNN, the Discovery channel, and HBO. The TV division has been grappling with a significant drop in advertising revenue.
Meanwhile, the movie arm has faced its own set of challenges. It not only severed ties with Nolan but also underwent staff layoffs and made notable, embarrassing decisions, such as the cancellation of “Batgirl,” a film that reportedly incurred a $90 million production cost. Under the new leadership, efforts have been made to attract big names, with the most prominent being Tom Cruise, who has established a new partnership with Warner Bros.
Abdy hinted at the collaboration between Cruise and director Alejandro González Iñárritu, keeping the project under wraps but emphasizing its grandiosity, suggesting it’s meant for global cinematic experiences.
This gesture seems to echo Nolan’s stance on prioritizing the big screen for his films, emphasizing the importance of cinemas’ vitality.
Abdy shares Nolan’s sentiment, acknowledging the significance of the cinematic experience but also recognizing the evolving landscape, suggesting flexibility rather than a rigid approach.
The studio appears to have embraced a new perspective on the release window, emphasizing a commitment to the theatrical experience, a cherished concept in American cinema.
The essence lies in the shared experience of being in a dark room, surrounded by an audience, collectively laughing, crying, and being frightened, encapsulating the magic of cinema.
Abdy boasts an impressive resume, having overseen the production of Oscar-winning films such as The Revenant, The Big Short, and Birdman. She emphasizes that selecting the best director is crucial for a film’s chances of winning Best Picture.
However, a recent UCLA Hollywood diversity report reveals stark gender disparities: only three female directors helmed movies with budgets exceeding $100 million, while 25 were men. While directors of color are gradually gaining more opportunities on major projects, women of color are consistently overlooked.
Abdy finds the slow progress for women in the film industry “frustrating.” She believes in educating younger generations about pathways into the business, acknowledging some progress but acknowledging that there is still much work to be done.
Currently, she and De Luca are enjoying the commercial success of Barbie and have secured Margot Robbie and her production company LuckyChap for future projects.
“We believe their fusion of art and commerce is simply magical.”
Abdy and De Luca have revived a tradition established by the company’s co-founder Jack Warner, who used to present a key to the lot to his star talent, such as Marilyn Monroe, as a welcoming gesture to the studio.
They recently gave Robbie her own key, which De Luca had discovered for sale on eBay among some of the original keys.
“Margot’s key is, in fact, Marilyn Monroe’s original.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming Oscars ceremony, Abdy expresses optimism about Barbie potentially winning the best picture award, stating that “there’s always a chance.”
However, the prevailing prediction favors Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Abdy notes that audiences have a strong connection with Nolan’s intricate storytelling and consistently support his films. She describes Oppenheimer as an “event” in itself.
Abdy suggests that the film industry had previously been stuck in a pattern where everything seemed to revolve around superhero movies, but she argues that this isn’t necessarily what audiences truly desire.
The success potential of Barbie and Oppenheimer underscores the fact that there is a significant audience for diverse storytelling, provided that filmmakers execute it effectively.
The Warner Bros boss has expressed enthusiasm for the idea, saying ‘We’d love to.’ This has got fans (including me!) all excited to see what new adventures Barbie might go on in the sequel. The first Barbie movie was a huge hit, and it’s great to see that there’s potential for more fun with everyone’s favorite doll. Fingers crossed that we’ll get to see Barbie back on the big screen soon!
Read More: Barbie director Greta Gerwig to chair Cannes film festival jury
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