The LEGO Movie 3 is on the way, and it means big changes for the beloved franchise. Warner Bros. no longer has the rights to the LEGO Movie series, and it has instead moved on to Universal. A new LEGO Movie is in development, but none of the characters from the first two films will appear, since their likeness stays with Warner Bros. However, this does open the door for new characters and cameos, as franchises like Jurassic World and Fast & Furious are Universal’s and perfect for the LEGO Movie treatment.
This will be an interesting change, as the two LEGO Movies from Warner Bros. were critically acclaimed and box office successes. The LEGO Batman Movie was also well-received, and while The LEGO Ninjago Movie did not receive the same praise, it was still a decent success. Now, with what looks to be a brand-new storyline and brand-new characters, it seems like Universal wants to start fresh. However, with the rumors this might be a live-action and animated hybrid film, it is anyone’s guess when it comes to how the next LEGO movie will be received.
The LEGO Movie 3 Recent News
The Movie’s Status Was Re-Confirmed In 2022
Though news has been scant since the rights to LEGO shifted over to Universal, the latest update confirms that The LEGO Movie 3 is still happening. Back in 2022, producer Dan Lin spoke candidly about Universal’s plans for their newly-acquired toy franchise when saying “We know we have to switch it up & take to a different art form that’s still true to LEGO, we should have some announcements soon… I think we’ve reinvented it in a cool way.” Unfortunately, no such announcement has come in the two years since the quote was given.
See how well the previous LEGO movies fared:
|
Movie |
Release Year |
Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|
|
The LEGO Movie |
2014 |
96% |
|
The LEGO Batman Movie |
2017 |
90% |
|
The LEGO Ninjago Movie |
2017 |
56% |
|
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part |
2019 |
84% |
The LEGO Movie 3 is Confirmed
Another LEGO Movie Is Planned
Universal is making its own new LEGO Movie, but when it plans to release the film is unknown. Universal took over the LEGO brand in 2020, but nothing has materialized. Some details have been revealed regarding what the newest movie will look like, with some suggesting it will be a live-action and animated hybrid film. However, nothing has been revealed since the initial announcement, and it’s unclear where that idea currently stands. In 2024, a LEGO animated biopic of musician Pharrell was released entitled Piece by Piece, but that likely has nothing to do with Universal’s LEGO Movie.
Piece by Piece
is distributed by Universal in foreign markets, and Focus Features in the United States.
The LEGO Movie 2 Cast
The Original Cast Probably Won’t Return
Characters like Batman can’t be in the movie anymore since it is a Warner Bros. property.
There is no telling who will be part of the new LEGO Movie. With Universal taking control, don’t expect any of the original characters to return. Characters like Batman can’t be in the movie anymore since it is a Warner Bros. property. This doesn’t mean Will Arnett can’t return in a different role, but it is unlikely. Also, Universal’s new film is not supposed to be a direct sequel, so don’t expect Chris Pratt back as Emmet, Will Ferrell as Lord Business, or Elizabeth Banks as Wyldstyle.
The LEGO Movie 3 Story Details
What Could The Next Movie Be About?
There are no hints as to what the new LEGO Movie story will be. However, expect it to be completely different from the first two. This is because the new movie can’t use Warner Bros. properties, meaning no more Batman, among many others. However, there are still plenty of pop culture references and cameos from Universal movies. Universal controls major franchises like Jurassic World, Fast & Furious, The Addams Family, the Universal Monsters, and King Kong, among a plethora of others.
It is also important to know that the new LEGO Movie will be a live-action/animated hybrid movie. The first two LEGO Movies were also live-action/animated hybrid movies, with a real kid and his dad collecting the LEGO’s, but the toys having an adventure of their own in the LEGO Movie world. With all that said, it is always possible that the new directors will want to differentiate their movie from what came before. If this is the case, The LEGO Movie 3 might play a little more straight when it comes to the tales of the LEGO‘s and their place in the world.