Warner Bros. is dipping further into the Lego toy box with the announcement that Ninjago is coming to theaters on September 23, 2016.
Ninjago is considered a spin-off of The Lego Movie and will be produced by the team behind that film including Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Charlie Bean (Tron Uprising) has been tapped to direct a script by Bryan Shukoff and Kevin Chesley.
The “Ninjago” Lego theme was introduced as a new toy line in January 2011 and since has rocketed to popularity and built its own legion of fans around the toys, a television show and video games. It is considered separate from the more nondescript ninjas in the prior Lego ninja theme.
It’s unclear at this time whether Ninjago will take place within the same builder “world” as The Lego Movie. A true sequel to The Lego Movie was announced on February 22 with the original film’s directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller producing that film as well. It is set for release on May 26, 2017.
“As proven by the worldwide popularity of The LEGO Movie, we know that the LEGO characters have a global fan base,” said Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution at Warnern Bros. Pictures. “Ninjago is sure to delight international audiences of all ages with its own blend of action, adventure and humor.”
With many other popular Lego themes to explore, this announcement could mark the origin of a shared Lego movie universe. It could be upward of a year or more until we know for sure.
Source: Warner Bros.
