After the success of The Lego Movie in 2014, Warner Bros. decided to launch a spin-off movie, The Lego Ninjago Movie. The main cast includes Jackie Chan, Dave Franco and Michael Pena. While Jackie Chan will voice Master Wu, Dave Franco is set to cover Lloyd and Michael Pena the character Kai.
Additional talents include Abbi Jacobson, Kumail Nanjiani, Zach Woods, as well as Fred Armisen. They are set to play the voices of Nya, Jay, Zane, and Cole, respectively.
The movie is set in Ninjago, an isolated island and the characters’ home. These young ninjas are tasked with defending their homeland and quickly become warriors using skills and Lego vehicles by night. During the day, they are normal teenagers struggling in high school. These characters will, of course, follow the same Lego style and animation the brand is known for.
Rob Schrab will direct the new Lego movie. Meanwhile, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller will return as producers rather than their previous roles as directors for the 2014 hit.
Along with The Lego Batman Movie scheduled for release in February 2017, The Lego Movie Sequel will be released in 2019.
While videos using Legos have been around since the 1970s, Lego-based films started only after the millennium and were received with critical acclaim. The franchise includes feature films, DVDs, short stories and television specials.
Adding to the franchise will be The Billion Brick Race, which has not been set for release at this time.
The Lego Ninjago Movie is scheduled for release in 2017.