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The Margot Robbie-led Barbie sequel has stalled, allegedly due to a misalignment regarding finances.

The 36-year-old Australian actress was set to reprise her role as the iconic blonde doll, with 45-year-old co-star Ryan Gosling joining, but unsuccessful negotiations at Warner Bros. have reportedly left the project in limbo.

On Friday the New York Times indicated that David Zaslav, who heads the production company, found the studio's proposed deal to the lead stars 'too generous,' citing an unspecified source.

Warner Bros. refuted the claim, telling the Times that the star actors were offered a deal in May, but declined it and have yet to submit a counteroffer.

It was also reported by the outlet that Gosling is eyeing a salary of about $20 million to return to the silver screen as Ken.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Robbie, Gosling, and Warner Bros. for comment but has yet to hear back.

Progress on the Margot Robbie-led Barbie sequel has stalled, allegedly due to a misalignment regarding finances; pictured in May

The 36-year-old Australian actress was set to reprise her role as the iconic blonde doll, but unsuccessful negotiations at Warner Bros. have reportedly left the project in limbo

Warner Bros. co-chairs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca said in a statement to the Times: 'We have a rights deal with Mattel in place and have made a series of big offers to try and finalize deals to make the next film.

'Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach an agreement thus far.'

If Warner Bros. does not reach a deal with Robbie, Gosling, and director/co-writer Greta Gerwig by December 2026, the rights will revert to Mattel, said the Times.

Barbie opened to $162 million in July 2023, en route to $636.2 million at the domestic box office and $1.4 billion worldwide.

Given its massive success, a sequel seemed inevitable, though Gerwig and her husband/co-writer Noah Baumbach had initially been hesitant to move forward.

Gerwig said during Time's Women of the Year honors in March 2024, 'My North Star is: What do I deeply love? What do I really care about? What's the story underneath this story? If I find the undertow, then we get it. If I don’t find an undertow, there’s no more.'

Then, in December 2024, The Hollywood Reporter stated the follow-up film had been presented to Warner Bros. and was in 'early stages' of deal talks.

However, both Warner Bros. and reps for Gerwig and Baumbach pushed back on the report, saying, 'There is no legitimacy to this reporting. THR's reporting is inaccurate.'

Ryan Gosling is also expected to return as Ken; pictured in March

Barbie was a massive box office success when it hit theaters in 2023

Co-written by longtime couple Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig, Barbie opened to $162 million in July 2023, en route to $636.2 million at the domestic box office and $1.4 billion worldwide; pictured in 2024

In addition to Robbie and Gosling, the cast of the original Barbie film also includes America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Issa Rae.

Alexandra Shipp, Dua Lipa, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Michael Cera and others are also in the feature.

Following their work in the movie, both Robbie and Gosling have continued to appear in other major projects.

The blonde beauty was in 2025's A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, starring opposite Colin Farrell.

She also acted alongside fellow Aussie Jacob Elordi in this year's Wuthering Heights.

Meanwhile, Gosling was in 2024's The Fall Guy, and Project Hail Mary earlier this year.