The Lego Movie, released in 2014, was a huge success, spawning spin-offs and a sequel, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. The director of The Lego Batman Movie, and animator on the original film, Chris McKay, has expressed his excitement about where the franchise could go under its new studio, Universal.
The Lego movie franchise was previously under the Warner Animation Group, which released two films of The Lego Movie and its spin-offs, The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie.
However, in 2019, it was revealed its contract with the Lego group had expired, meaning it would no longer produce films under this banner.
In 2020, Deadline reported Universal had secured a five-year deal with the Lego group, with a plan to develop more movies.
Of course, given Batman is owned by Warner Bros, as part of the DC Comics brand, it means these movies will end.
Chris McKay, director of new Amazon Prime movie The Tomorrow War, also directed The Lego Batman Movie, meaning his main project within the Lego universe and the sequel in development, were canceled.
However, he is optimistic about the potential franchises that could be birthed from the new deal with Universal, and one in particular caught his eye.
Speaking to Newsweek, he said: "I mean, we've talked a lot about different versions of Lego movies, like just what, what can you do with a Lego movie?
"Like, what are the other things that people wouldn't expect? There's been a lot of conversation about that, and we've all been trying to figure that out.
"And then of course, you're working with another studio, you've got the opportunity to do stuff with their, you know, Fast and Furious Lego or Jaws Lego."
Later, considering the idea of Vin Diesel in Lego form, McKay added: "A great voice actor. I thought you know, he's a great voice, he'd be the perfect fit for something like that."
The possibilities truly are endless with Lego, and for McKay he finds the "non-cynical stories" something he enjoys most.
"There's a lot of things that you can do with you know, with that too, but I'm hoping that we can find new... Lego's so much so fun and freeing, you know.
"Animation is freeing, to be able to be wildly creative. And I like telling non-cynical stories, for kids especially, I think that we've got enough movies out there, there's enough things out that teach you to be cynical and jaded and all that kind of thing.
"There's something about being able to just be joyful and have fun and be silly.
"Yeah, that's the promise of doing something with animation with Lego. So I'm hoping that we're still gonna find something as new as what The Lego Movie felt when we first did that."
As for Jaws, if this were to move towards The Lego Movie it would likely need to be turned into a comedy, which would be simpler for the heady action of Fast and Furious.
Newsweek has approached Universal for comment.
