More 'Lego' Movies Nab Release Dates
By Pamela McClintock
Warner Bros.’s Lego film franchise is heating up.
On Wednesday, the studio dated two untitled animated films for May 25, 2018, and May 24, 2019, the beginning of the lucrative Memorial Day weekend.
Insiders suggest they will be more follow-ups to this year’s global blockbuster ‘The Lego Movie,’ which grossed $468 million worldwide earlier this year. They stress that things could always change, considering the dates are so far out.
The studio has already dated ‘Lego 2’ for May 26, 2017. A threequel could be aiming for 2019, while the Lego Ninjago spinoff could claim the 2018 date.
'The Lego Movie' marked a crucial turning point for Warners, which has never had a strong foothold in the animation business. The film, which cost $60 million to produce, featured the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.
Producers Dan Lin and Roy Lee are shepherding the franchise for the studio.
It was a busy day for Warners as the studio provided a glimpse of its tentpole slate through 2020. Hours before, the studio announced it was moving ‘Superman v Batman: Dawn of Justice’ from May 6, 2016, to March 25, 2016, to avoid a showdown with ‘Captain American 3.’
It also dated no fewer than nine untitled DC Comics titles, revealing that it will release two superhero movies a year beginning in 2016 in an aggressive effort to match rival Marvel Studios and Disney. The untitled batch of films is likely to include multiple Justice League titles and a Wonder Woman spinoff.
