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I absolutely loved The LEGO Movie. It’s one of those rare films that works for any age group and it’s the type of movie you can watch again and again and always find something new. So when the film was a monster hit at the worldwide box office, it was no surprise that Warner Bros. moved ahead with a number of different types of sequels. But unlike some franchises that seem like a cash grab by the studio, I’m all in on every one of these because I think there are plenty of worlds and characters ripe for exploration.

Which brings us to the first of these sequels: The LEGO Batman Movie.

Chris McKay, who served as co-director on The LEGO Movie, steps into the director’s chair for this film with LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller serving as producers. But rather than simply making a Batman movie that happens to be animated, all involved seem to have an interest in telling a Batman story that’s never before been told which includes plenty of villains, Robin, and the Caped Crusader coming to terms with his solitary life and lack of family.

The film features the voices of Will Arnett as Batman, Michael Cera as Robin, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, Mariah Carey as the Mayor of Gotham, Jenny Slate as Harley Quinn, Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face, Conan O’Brien as The Riddler, Jason Mantzoukas as Scarecrow, Doug Benson as Bane, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Kate Micucci as Clayface, Riki Lindhome as Poison Ivy, and Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are returning to voice Superman and Green Lantern, respectively with Adam Devine on board to voice The Flash. For more on the film, you can read Matt Goldberg’s glowing review.

At the recent press day, I got to sit down with director Chris McKay. He talked about making The LEGO Batman Movie, if the success of The LEGO Movie changed the way they made LEGO Batman, who was the toughest villain to put in the film, Easter eggs, what he was most excited to showcase in the film, thoughts on sequels, and more. In addition, McKay is very involved in the other LEGO movies and talked about what fans can look forward to in The LEGO Movie sequel saying it will have a lot of musical stuff, world building and a lot of unexpected emotional surprises.

Check out what he had to say in the player above and below you can check out the recent trailer and official synopsis.

Chris McKay:

• When did he book directing The LEGO Batman Movie?
• How did the success of The LEGO Movie change the way they made LEGO Batman? Did they have more people looking over their shoulder?
• The great villains in the sequel.
• Who was the toughest villain to get?
• Easter egg talk.
• How involved is he in the other LEGO Movies?
• If the movie is a success does he want to make a LEGO Batman Movie sequel or another superhero LEGO movie?
• What was he most excited to see Batman do in the movie?
• What can he say about The LEGO Movie sequel? Says it will have a lot of musical stuff and world building. Also a lot of unexpected emotional surprises.

Here’s the official synopsis for The LEGO Batman Movie:

In the irreverent spirit of fun that made “The LEGO® Movie” a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

 

Will Arnett reprises his starring role from “The LEGO Movie” as the voice of LEGO Batman, aka Bruce Wayne. Zach Galifianakis (“Muppets Most Wanted,” the “Hangover” films) stars as The Joker; Michael Cera (TV’s “Arrested Development”) as the orphan Dick Grayson; Rosario Dawson (TV’s “Daredevil”) as Barbara Gordon; and Ralph Fiennes (the “Harry Potter” films) as Alfred.

 

“The LEGO® Batman Movie” will be directed by Chris McKay, and produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Roy Lee, who worked together on “The LEGO Movie.” It is written by Seth Grahame-Smith and Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, with additional screenplay material by Jared Stern & John Whittington, based on LEGO Construction Toys. Jill Wilfert, Matthew Ashton and Will Allegra serve as executive producers.

 

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Animation Group, in association with LEGO System A/S, a Lin Pictures / Lord Miller / Vertigo Entertainment production, “The LEGO Batman Movie” will open in theaters on February 10, 2017. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.