‘Lego’ Aftereffects: ‘Ninjago’ Could Happen Before ‘Lego Movie 2’, ‘Monster Trucks’ Begins Casting
For a while there, it looked like Hollywood might be learning a lesson about toy-based films. Yes, theTransformersfranchise continues to rake in the dough, butBattleshipwas one of the floppiest flops of the year, and Universal scrapped their plans to make movies based on other Hasbro board games.
ThenThe Lego Moviehit theaters, dominating the box office and earning stellar reviews besides. Suddenly, aMonster Trucksmovie looks like a good idea. Such a good idea, in fact, that it’s begun casting, withSuburgatory’sJane LevyandX-Men: First Class’sLucas Tilleyed for the leads.
After the jump, find out more about that, as well as why Warner Bros. is considering makingNinjagobefore it gets around toThe Lego Movie 2.
In fairness,Monster Truckshas been in the works since last year, well beforeThe Lego Movieopened. But that film’s success surely won’t hurtMonster Trucks' odds of getting a green light. Should Paramount OK the project, Levy and Till will get official offers and production will get underway this summer for aMay 29, 2015premiere. [TheWrap]
Meanwhile, with $197 million in the bank and counting,The Lego Movieis sure to get a follow-up. But the question Warner Bros. is pondering right now is whether to move ahead with bothThe Lego Movie 2and the plannedNinjagospinoff, and if so, which one it wants to make first.
Under the studio’s deal with the toymaker, it only has the rights to oneLego Moviesequel. After that, the producers will be allowed to take the franchise elsewhere. MakingNinjagofirst would help to bolster the studio’s relationship with Lego before they get the pieces in place forThe Lego Movie 2.
On the other hand,Ninjagois considered a riskier property because its appeal is narrower.The Lego Moviewas a four-quadrant hit, whereasNinjagois likely to attract mostly younger boys.“The success ofThe Lego Movieis great, but it’s also a burden and a curse,” saidDan Hageman, who’s writingNinjagowith his brotherKevin Hageman. “It set the bar really high for the franchise.”
Ninjagoboasts many of the same names asThe Lego Movie.Dan LinandRoy Lee, who producedThe Lego Movie, are also producingNinjago, along withThe Lego MoviehelmersPhil LordandChris Miller. Additionally, the Hagemans received “story by” credit onThe Lego Movie. One of the few involved without aLego Movieconnection isCharlie Bean, who’s directing. [THR]
