‘Lego Movie 2’ to Test Whether Bricks Still Click With Audiences

(Bloomberg) -- Do movie audiences have an appetite for all things Lego: Lego superheroes, Lego aliens, Lego dinosaurs?

“The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” puts that question to the test. It’s the fourth feature-length movie for the Warner Bros. franchise -- including the original “Lego Movie” in 2014 and others devoted to Batman and the Ninjago world of martial-arts characters -- and its success will determine whether more films are coming soon.

Dan Lin, a producer of all four films, said in an interview he and the studio haven’t yet committed to a fifth movie. “The Second Part” is an opportunity to see if moviegoers still want to see characters depicted as Lego figurines. If it’s a hit, more projects may come, including TV shows.

“The Second Part” takes some risks, he said. There’s a lot more music and new characters, including Tiffany Haddish as a shape-shifting queen and Stephanie Beatriz of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as the space-suited General Mayhem.

“It’s a test,” Lin said from his Lego-adorned Los Angeles office. “It’s a way for us to experiment. There are lot of new voices.”

“The Second Part” is expected to open as the top weekend film in North American theaters, bringing in an estimated $55 million, according to Box Office Pro.

Surprise Hit

The original “Lego Movie” in 2014 proved to be a surprise hit with kids and adults who turned out for the film’s cheeky humor and catchy theme song, “Everything is Awesome.” Made for about $60 million, it grossed $469 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

The next picture in the series, 2017’s “The Lego Batman Movie,” brought in $312 million worldwide, while “The Lego Ninjago Movie,” released the same year, delivered a disappointing $123 million.

The “Ninjago” film was based on a specific toy line, and that was a mistake that Lin said he won’t repeat.

“The Second Part” has the benefit of mostly positive reviews: It’s recommended by 85 percent of critics surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes. The film features the voices of Chris Pratt as the hero Emmet Brickowski, and Elizabeth Banks as Lucy, his Ninja-like partner.

Ubiquitous Toys

The Lego business, which includes video games, TV shows and the ubiquitous toys, is considered a key pillar of Warner Bros.’ movie-franchise strategy, which also includes D.C. Comics and the “Harry Potter” series. The studio was one of the many media businesses acquired last year when AT&T Inc. bought Time Warner.

Among other new releases this weekend, the comedy “What Men Want” is expected to generate $24 million for Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures. The film stars Taraji P. Henson of “Empire” and “Hidden Figures” as a woman who can hear men’s thoughts.

“Cold Pursuit,” a revenge film starring Liam Neeson, is projected to make $11.5 million for Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. -- putting the movie at a distant third. The Irish actor stirred up controversy ahead of the film’s release when he used racially insensitive remarks in an interview when discussing the rape of a friend. He apologized.

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