Warner Bros. has already begun work on a sequel to “The Lego Movie,” the upcoming animated film based on the popular kids’ toys, according to two individuals with knowledge of the studio’s plans. Jared Stern, who wrote “The Internship” and “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” is working on the script with Michelle Morgan (“Girl Most Likely”).
Advanced market research indicates “The Lego Movie” will be a huge hit, grossing upwards of $40 millon this weekend. It should breeze to a win at the box office over fellow new releases “the Monuments Men” and “Vampire Academy.”
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Phil Lord and Christopher Miller wrote the first “Lego,” which Village Roadshow co-produced and co-financed. Stern’s involvement is born out of the creative consortium of top-notch writers and directors Warner Bros. created to foster new animated projects. “The Lego Movie” was greenlit before the formation of this consortium, but it is the studio’s first animated release since it decided to put it together. Warner Bros. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Stern is one member of that group alongside Lord and Miller, “Muppets” writer/director Nicholas Stoller, who is working on “Storks” and “Bad Santa” writers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, who are working on “Smallfoot.” Each of those filmmakers is working on a specific project, but they will also provide guidance and feedback on some of the other projects being developed.
Stern is represented by WME, Odenkirk Provissiero and Helena Heyman at Industry Entertainment.