New Barbie Movie Plan Is Actually So Much Better Than Barbie 2 With Greta Gerwig & Margot Robbie

There’s no denying the success of 2023’s Barbie, but rather than a sequel being immediately produced, reports of an animated movie are starting to arise. The Barbie movie cast’s lead actor Margot Robbie is said to be unhappy with the franchise’s proposed direction, as is director Greta Gerwig. However, Mattel retaining the movie rights means the decision is in the company’s hands rather than it being in control of the two key women who brought the live-action project to life last summer.

Surprisingly, Barbie 2 hasn’t yet been announced, despite the first movie flying past the $1 billion mark at the box office. Instead, Mattel seems to be exploring other options. Although the rumored approach to commission an animated movie rather than a follow-up to the live-action sensation is a surprising one, there’s actually a strong argument to support Mattel’s apparent preference for pursuing such a specific alternative to teaming up with Robbie and Gerwig again.

An Animated Barbie Movie Is Better Than Greta Gerwig & Margot Robbie Making Barbie 2

The studio behind Despicable Me could be involved

2023’s live-action Barbie movie was an undeniable triumph, but it didn’t end in a way that would be particularly conducive to making a sequel. While it’s still possible or even likely that one will be made eventually, it functions perfectly well as a standalone movie. An animated Barbie movie is a far more exciting prospect than a live-action sequel, mainly because of the studio with which Mattel is rumored to be partnering with. There have been animated Barbie movies before, but one from this studio would likely blow them all out of the water.

If an animated Barbie movie is next on Mattel’s slate for the franchise, then the leading rumor is that Illumination will be the studio tasked with making it. The animation studio is responsible for the Despicable Me movies as well as the Minions spinoffs. Among other projects, Illumination also made 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie. So, an animated Barbie movie by Illumination would likely be just as humorous and well-made as these other movies.

Don’t Expect Illumination’s Barbie To Be Anything Like Greta Gerwig’s Movie

2023’s Barbie needn’t be the tone-setter for an animated effort

Gerwig’s Barbie was a lighthearted comedy on the surface but also carried with it other messages concerning complex topics such as feminism. If Illumination is asked to make a Barbie movie, it’s highly unlikely the story would be an allegory for anything quite so thought-provoking. Instead, it’d probably just be a fun ride intended for family viewing. This way, Barbie fans can remain entertained, and more consideration can be given to the topic of whether Gerwig’s installment should have a sequel commissioned.