An exciting slate of directors has signed on to helm three newLEGOmovies. The cinematic LEGO-verse underwent a hiatus for several years after2019’s whimsicalThe LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part. 2024 did see another animated LEGO movie, but in an unusual form:Piece by Piece, a biopic-style film about music extraordinaire Pharrell Williams.The LEGO Movie,its sequel, and companion films have been among the most well-liked animated movies of this generation, leaving audiences wanting more LEGO content.
Fans' fears can soon be assuaged asDeadlineannounces the development of three new LEGO-based films. Yet untitled, these films are said to be shot in live-action. The directors include Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins, and Joe Cornish. Kasdan’s script will be written by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul based on an idea by Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows. Jenkins co-wrote her LEGO film’s script with DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns. Cornish will edit a script originally developed by Heather Anne Campbell, which is in turn based on a treatment by Simon Rich.
What This Means For The LEGO Franchise
Live-Action Is New Territory For LEGO
None of these newly announced LEGO movies have associated plots yet. All three of the films will be produced by Jill Wilfert and Ryan Christians. The individual films also have additional producers, including Jenkins producing her own film. All three LEGO directors have notable film backgrounds, with Jenkins the director behind smash hitWonder Woman, Cornish being the director ofAttack the Block, and Kasdan helming the recentJumanjimovies.
Every LEGO Movie Ranked, Worst To Best (Including Piece By Piece)
From the LEGO Movies to Batman and Pharrell’s Piece by Piece, the LEGO movies vary in quality and awesomeness, which helps rank every installment.
The live-action format will mark a new frontier for LEGO. As of yet, both theatrical and direct-to-video LEGO-based movies have been in an animated format. This inherently makes the most sense for LEGO, given the non-anthropomorphic blockiness of the figures in the original toy. The existingLEGO Movieand its sequelhave used the device of building (and destroying) as a key visual motif, so it will be interesting to see how these movies craft their own world in live-action.
Our Take On These LEGO Movies
Live-Action Is A Huge Risk
As an enthusiastic fan ofThe LEGO Movieand its successors, I am excited that the studio is even bothering with more LEGO content. I am, however, skeptical of how the franchise will adapt to the live-action format. This year’s highly criticizedMinecraft Movietraileris a good example of what can go wrong when a universe with high stylization is forced into live-action. TheseLEGOmovies should attempt to avoid this fate, and with three experienced directors at the wheel, they can hopefully do so.
The Lego Movie
Cast
The first film in the Lego movie franchise, 2014’s The Lego Movie tells the story of Emmett Brickowski (Chris Pratt), an average construction worker from the Lego city of Bricksburg. After finding the fabled “Piece of Resistance”, Emmett finds himself opposing the plans of the villainous Lord Business (Will Ferrell) with the help of both original characters and licensed ones such as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
