Margot Robbie Stunned as Matthew McConaughey Says Yes to Playing Ken in Barbie 2

Barbie 2 is not a thing yet, but the rumor mill refuses to take a day off. The latest: Matthew McConaughey says he is into the idea of playing the 'King of the Kens,' and Margot Robbie reacted to that live on TV. It is fun casting chatter with a big asterisk — because the people who would actually make the sequel sound very non-committal.

How we got here: Ferrera pitched it, McConaughey bit

America Ferrera floated the title 'King of the Kens' for Matthew McConaughey a while back. On September 16, 2025, the Today show brought that up with Margot Robbie, noting that McConaughey, 55, had said he would be up for it. Robbie, clearly hearing the confirmation in real time, asked if he actually said he would do it, and when told yes, she basically went, great, thanks for that.

McConaughey was on the same program and had seen mockups of the character built around Ferrera's pitch. His take:

It is already coming to life. It would be hard to say no to that, would not it?

Today also posted the exchange on Instagram, because of course they did.

Robbie is game in spirit, but only if Greta wants it

Before we crown anyone the Ken king, a reality check: there is no Barbie sequel confirmed. Robbie has been consistent about that since 2023. Back then, she told E! News they emptied the tank on the first movie and she could not imagine what comes next. And if there is a next? It is Greta Gerwig or bust for her — Robbie said she would not do it without Greta.

Where Greta Gerwig stands

Gerwig has sounded cautious about a follow-up since the summer after the first film. In a 2023 New York Times interview, she said that at that moment she felt like she had put everything she had into Barbie — the usual post-film creative empty tank — and she did not want to stomp on anyone else's dreams, but personally she was at zero ideas. Also worth noting: at a 2023 WGA panel (via Variety), she explained why she keeps ideas close early on. When she talks too soon, she feels the ideas go bad, and the project suffers. Translation: do not expect her to publicly workshop a sequel in interviews.

So what is actually happening?

• Matthew McConaughey says he would be up for playing a 'King of the Kens' (he said as much on Today on September 16, 2025, after seeing character mockups).
• America Ferrera is the one who pitched that title for him in the first place.
• Margot Robbie loved hearing McConaughey would do it, but she has also been clear since 2023: there is no green light, and she would only come back if Greta Gerwig does.
• Greta Gerwig has not committed to a sequel and has said she was out of ideas right after the first film; she also avoids sharing early concepts publicly.
• Bottom line: lots of fun casting talk, zero official sequel.

Would McConaughey as a monarch of Kens be a good time? Honestly, yes. But until Gerwig wants to dive back into Barbieland, this is all pink smoke and no fire.