Lego is in talks with Universal Pictures to form a new partnership to develop films based on the building block toys, an individual with knowledge tells TheWrap.
The partnership would help to produce a new batch of films based on the IP. The Denmark based toy company has been exploring its options with other studios ever since its deal with WarnerMedia expired in the fall.
Rideback, the production company founded by “The Lego Movie” franchise producer Dan Lin are in talks to remain the producers in any new deal, according to a report The Hollywood Reporter.
Warner Bros. first released “The Lego Movie,” directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, in 2014. The second Lego movie, “The Lego Batman Movie” was released in 2017 and directed by Chris McKay. “The Lego Ninjago Movie” was also released in 2017 and underperformed at the box office. “The Lego Movie 2: the Second Part” was released earlier this year, underperformed at the box office compared to three “Lego” movies in the series and grossed of over $191 million worldwide against a budget of $99 million.
The New York Times profiled Lin and his Rideback banner on Wednesday.
Universal had no comment. WarnerMedia didn’t respond to request for comment.
News of the rights changing hands was first reported by Variety.
Umberto Gonzalez contributed to this report.