On the weekend of July 21st, movie fans will be treated to the showdown of the summer when Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer squares off with…Barbie. The two films couldn’t be more different, but both are already the most anticipated of the season and it’s surprising no studio has moved one of them to a different date. While we won’t know for at least a couple of months which one fared better with audiences, one way that Barbie could win is that it has franchise potential. Nolan’s film obviously does not.
As far as a Barbie sequel goes, star and producer Margot Robbie tells TIME that talks have already happened. However, she seems quite level-headed about that prospet, not wanting to put the cart before the horse. This is a lesson she undoubtedly learned during her time as Harley Quinn, when Warner Bros. was trying desperately to set up as many appearances for the character as possible…
“It could go a million different directions from this point,” Robbie said. “But I think you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels.”
Barbie has really captured national attention with its wild dance numbers, brightly-colored sets that are like the toys brought to life, and the incredible A-list star power. if it proves to be a hit, don’t be surprised at all if news of a sequel drops soon after. The only question I have is if Greta Gerwig could be enticed to return as director. Of that I’m not so sure.