Plans for a Greta Gerwig Barbie 2 may currently be uncertain, but America Ferrera already has her own ideas about a potential new character. In 2024, it was initially reported that Gerwig and Noah Baumbach had commenced early development of a follow-up to their hit 2023 movie. However, both filmmakers have since denied that plans for a sequel are underway.
Speaking with ScreenRant at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival for her new survival drama The Lost Bus, Ferrera was quizzed about her thoughts on whether Barbie 2 will eventually happen. Admitting that Gerwig is currently busy with her other projects, she suggested that the Barbie cast will simply wait and “take her lead.” Check out her comments below:
America Ferrera: Greta’s got to do what Greta’s got to do. She’s out there making Narnia and doing all her things and we’ll all just take her lead.
When presented with the idea that Ferrera’s The Lost Bus co-star Matthew McConaughey could potentially appear in the sequel as a Ken, Ferrera enthusiastically speculated he could play “the king of Kens.” Not to be outdone, McConaughey also suggested he should receive his own song. Check out their responses below:
America Ferrera: He’d be like the king of Kens. I kind of feel like you could be the king of Kens.
Matthew McConaughey: Capital K Ken. Do a song called “Capital K Ken”
What America Ferrera’s and Matthew McConaughey’s Comments Mean For Barbie 2
Given the original movie’s considerable $1.44 billion box office haul, it stands to reason that Warner Bros. would be keen on pursuing Barbie as a matter of priority. However, Gerwig is currently preoccupied with her commitments on the upcoming Chronicles of Narnia reboot for Netflix, while Baumbach has also revealed that he is supporting her in a behind-the-scenes role.
While many fans would likely support the idea of McConaughey joining the cast of Barbie 2, it is unclear exactly when Gerwig would be in a position to return to the property. Given that she is helming at least two films in the Chronicles of Narnia series, her commitments will extend well beyond the 2026 release of The Magician’s Nephew.
Our Take On Matthew McConaughey Playing King Ken
As the original Barbie was not shy about introducing several high-profile actors as the various dolls who inhabited Barbie World, the idea of McConaughey joining the cast of Barbie 2 would not be too far-fetched, and he would likely fit seamlessly in a world that has already seen cameos from the likes of John Cena and Dua Lipa.
Moreover, his trademark laid-back Southern persona could potentially be a hilarious counterpoint to Ryan Gosling’s far more earnest Ken, who would likely not respond well to the idea of facing off against a King Ken. Potentially getting his own song in the movie would also be likely to spark a great deal of animosity from Gosling’s Ken.
However, with the future of Barbie 2 currently uncertain, it is unclear whether these ideas will ever have the opportunity to ever move beyond random speculation.
