The distinction between projected and guaranteed is irrelevant when you're projected to make a billion dollars. The Barbie IP, paired with the cast and crew, was an absolute juggernaut from the beginning.
You're correct in that everything ultimately stems from capitalism, but in this particular instance, certain producers could have made less greedy decisions and the film would have been better for it.
That's what this discussion is supposed to be about. You're kind of talking past OP.
Stupid sexy Massachusetts