Universal has a Christmas present on their wish list! And that present is the studio’s hope to obtain the rights to the Lego franchise and all of their future films, according to Deadline. The franchise blossomed with the release and surprise hit of Warner Bros.’ 2014 box office success The Lego Movie, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Its success would spawn a 2016 spin-off entitled The Lego Batman Movie, directed by Chris McKay, but entries like The Lego Ninjago Movie and the poor box office showing of this year’s The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part suggest the franchise is experiencing a decline. All the films were handled by Dan Lin.
Warner Bros confirmed that the characters from The Lego Movie and Lego Batman will remain at the studio. Lin mentioned to the New York Times that this deal has been ongoing for several months and a purchase for the rights will occur sometime next year.
As of right now, a Lego Batman Movie sequel is being eyed for a 2022 release date, with Chris McKay returning as director. Another project called The Billion Brick Race will have Jason Segel and Drew Pearce as both writers and directors and feature Lin, Roy Lee and Lord and Miller as producers. Chris Pratt also expressed his hopes for a third installment of the main series. More on this as it develops.