The search for Lego Batman‘s arch nemesis appears to have come to an end. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) is in final talks to voice the iconic role of the Joker in the upcoming Lego Movie spinoff.
Galifianakis joins Will Arnett‘s Batman and Michael Cera’s (Netflix’s Wet Hot American Summer – First Day of Camp) Robin in the film, a follow-up to 2014’s wildly successful The Lego Movie. Arnett’s Caped Crusader was a highlight in the original, so it was only logical when Warner’s looked to expand the franchise that they spin the character off into his own film.
Warner’s now has two Jokers on its hands, what with Galifiankis’ as Batman’s animated foe, and Oscar-winner Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club) playing what will most likely be a much more menacing live-action version in Suicide Squad, which is set for a 2016 release.
Chris McKay, animation supervisor on the original Lego Movie, makes his feature debut as director from a script by Seth Grahame-Smith, recently announced as a writer on the anticipated Beetlejuice 2.
Next up for Galifianakis is the heist comedy Masterminds with Kristen Wiig and Owen Wilson.
The Lego Batman Movie is set for a February 2017 release.