David Ellison has spent the last year telling people he loves movies. Now he wants to prove it by making another one starring Margot Robbie. The Skydance chief executive officer and his team, including new co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, are pushing for a second Barbie movie, according to a source from within the combined Paramount-Warner Bros.-Skydance entity who spoke to Variety.
The source said at least one of Ellison’s priorities is to stop arguing over budgets and just make Barbie 2. That means moving forward with the sequel despite the chaos behind the scenes.
Barbie’s Record at Warner Bros.
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing movie ever. Kreiz helped pick star and producer Margot Robbie for the first Barbie movie. The film’s success set the stage for the sequel push, even as the studio’s fortunes elsewhere have turned south.
The Firings at Warner Bros.
Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca, who took over as Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group co-CEOs in 2022, were reportedly let go. Their tenure included a strong 2025 with A Minecraft Movie and Best Picture winner One Battle After Another. Their 2026 box office record was poor, with Wuthering Heights, Mortal Kombat II, Supergirl and others failing.
Ellison reportedly told Abdy and De Luca they were getting fired in person earlier this week. Their last day at Warner Bros. was Friday. Ellison reportedly took legal ownership of the studio several days after telling them they were fired.
Who Lost Their Job
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Co-CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group | Pamela Abdy |
| Co-CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group | Michael De Luca |
The Chaotic Machinery
The source described the situation as chaotic, with budget arguments running wild. The move toward Barbie 2 comes as the combined entity finally clears all roadblocks to the sale, allowing Ellison to stop arguing over budgets and just make the movie.
Whether the strategy works depends on whether the movie can match the first one’s magic.
What Comes Next
Barbie 2 remains in development. The source’s account offers a window into the messy machinery behind the screen, where stars and sequels are born from firings and feuds.
The story is still developing. For now, the chaos continues.
See the video the story is built around at The A.V. Club.
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