Keanu Reeves to Star in New Lego Movie Directed by Josh Cooley
Actor Keanu Reeves has been cast in a new live-action/CG hybrid Lego movie directed by Josh Cooley. With Universal aiming to start production within six months to secure rights, this project marks a major new chapter for the cinematic Lego franchise.
Highlights
- •Keanu Reeves is set to star in an upcoming hybrid live-action/CG Lego movie.
- •Director Josh Cooley, known for Toy Story 4, will helm the new production.
- •The studio aims to begin filming within six months to maintain property rights.
- •This project marks another attempt by Universal to refresh the Lego film franchise.
Renowned actor Keanu Reeves has been tapped to headline an upcoming Lego movie. The project is set to be directed by Josh Cooley, a filmmaker widely recognized for his work on Toy Story 4. This collaboration marks a significant reunion for both Keanu Reeves and Josh Cooley, who previously worked together when the actor provided the voice for the popular stuntman action figure, Duke Caboom.
Details on the New Lego Cinematic Venture
The highly anticipated film is being developed as a hybrid production, blending live-action elements with computer-generated imagery. While production is moving forward under the banner of Universal, specific details regarding the narrative, the rest of the ensemble cast, and the primary screenwriter remain under wraps. It is currently unclear whether Keanu Reeves will physically appear on screen or provide vocal performances for a character within this Lego movie.
Industry reports suggest that Universal is under pressure to move quickly with this Lego project. The studio is aiming to begin production within the next six months due to stipulations regarding the rights to the property. If the project fails to meet these specific development timelines, the rights could potentially revert, leaving the future of the franchise uncertain. The studio's commitment to the franchise follows their recent work on the Pharrell Williams biopic, Piece by Piece, which successfully utilized Lego animation to tell the artist's life story.
The Evolution of the Lego Film Franchise
The cinematic history of the Lego brand reached a major milestone with the 2014 release of The Lego Movie, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. That project ignited a massive, billion-dollar film franchise that expanded to include titles like The Lego Batman Movie, The Lego Ninjago Movie, and The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. While the initial installments were critical and commercial successes, the later releases struggled to replicate those high returns at the global box office.
Following a period of declining commercial performance for several sequels, the rights to the franchise previously transitioned away from Warner Bros.. Now, under the guidance of Universal, the brand is looking to revitalize its presence in theaters. Although the studio has previously explored various projects with notable creative talents such as Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins, and Joe Cornish, none of those earlier concepts reached the stage of full production. This new venture involving Keanu Reeves represents the latest attempt to solidify the brand's place in modern cinema.
