A new LEGO Movie is coming from Universal, but this means big changes in the characters, cast, and story for the franchise.

Summary

• Warner Bros. no longer has the rights to the LEGO Movie franchise, as Universal takes over, allowing for new characters and cameos.
• The new LEGO Movie will likely be a live-action and animated hybrid, potentially following the same format as the previous two movies.
• With Universal's access to franchises like Jurassic World and Fast & Furious, the new LEGO Movie could feature new and exciting pop culture references and characters.

There is new LEGO Movie news, and it means big changes for the toy-based cinematic IP. Warner Bros. no longer has the rights to the LEGO Movie franchise, and it has instead moved on to Universal. There is now a new LEGO Movie in the works, and the cameos and characters used in the next movie won't be from the Warner Bros. LEGO universe. This means no more Batman, and there is also a good chance that characters like Emmet, Wyldstyle, President Business, and others. However, this does open the door for new characters and cameos, as franchises like Jurassic World and Fast & Furious are right there 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 spin-off, 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 after The LEGO Ninjago Movie was accused of creating LEGO "fatigue" among fans. 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 if it's not a Warner Bros. The Lego Movie 3

Universal’s New Lego Movie 3 Recent News

The most recent new LEGO Movie news comes in the fact that LEGO has left Warner Bros. and moved over to Universal for its next movies. The new deal with Universal is a five-year deal that allows the studio to make additional movies for the LEGO brand. Universal seems excited about the possibility, as they released a statement that explained what they plan to do now that they have access to the property for the future. "We’re thrilled to start building out the next chapter of LEGO movies together with [LEGO Group head Jill Wilfer] and the LEGO team as they continue to inspire curiosity and innovation."

The next LEGO Movie could be similar to what came before. Instead of the movies with the LEGO figures taking part in adventures in the LEGO world, the story once again looks like it will be a live-action and animated hybrid film, although what that means remains to be seen. Remember, the first two LEGO Movies had live-action scenes in the real world while the LEGO figures took part in adventures in their own LEGO world. Whether this is what Universal plans to do, or if it will be more in line with something like Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers is the big question.

Universal’s New Lego Movie is Confirmed

Universal is making its own new LEGO Movie, but when it plans to release the film is unknown. Universal took over the LEGO brand three years ago, and this is the first new LEGO Movie news since then. The movie will be a live-action and animated hybrid film with Adam and Aaron Nee (The Lost City) signed to direct it. Also, since the LEGO deal was made three years ago, there are only two years left on the deal, so expect a new LEGO Movie release date to be no later than 2025.

Universal’s New Lego Movie Cast

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. People like Batman can't be in the movie anymore since that is a Warner Bros. property. This doesn't mean Will Arnett can't return in a different role, but it is unlikely. Also, this is not supposed to be a sequel, or a LEGO Movie 3, so don't expect Chris Pratt back as Emmet, Will Ferrell as Lord Business, or Elizabeth Banks as Wyldstyle.

Universal’s New Lego Movie Story Details

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 LEGO Movies. This is because the new movie can't use Warner Bros. properties in the new movie. This means no more LEGO Batman, among others. However, if new directors Adam and Aaron Nee want to follow in the footsteps of the last movies, there are still plenty of pop culture references and cameos from Universal movies. While there won't be a Batman, Gandalf, or Harry Potter, Universal has more than its fair share of franchise characters that can be used in the new LEGO Movie.

The biggest franchise and the first LEGO fans might think of is Jurassic World. There have been animated LEGO movies based on the Jurassic World franchise, and adding the dinosaurs into the world of the new LEGO Movie could make it different from the first two. That isn't the only franchise that could pop up in the new LEGO Movie. Universal also has Fast & Furious, The Addams Family, the Universal Monsters, King Kong, and more to play with.

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, this next movie might play a little more straight when it comes to the tales of the LEGO's and their place in the world.