"Trolls" director Mike Mitchell has been hired to helm "The Lego Movie" sequel for Warner Bros. Animation. He replaces "The Mindy Project" helmer Rob Schrab, who was previously on board as director.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mitchell has been tapped to construct "The Lego Movie" sequel and is best known as the director of DreamWorks Animation's hit "Trolls." He replaces Schrab, who departed the position due to creative differences.
Original "Lego Movie" directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller wrote the first draft of the script for the sequel, Variety reported. They recently started production on the Han Solo "Star Wars" movie. Netflix's "BoJack Horseman" creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg takes care of a re-write for the sequel's script with Matt Fogel writing the latest draft.
Original "Lego Movie" producers Dan Lin and Roy Lee are returning as producers for "The Lego Movie" sequel, along with Lord and Miller. Jill Wilfert from Lego Group, Chris McKay, and Jinko Gotoh are executive producing.
"The Lego Movie" grossed nearly $470 million worldwide at the global box office when it debuted in February 2014 amid strong support from critics and fans for its goofy story line and unique look. That success spurred Warner Bros. to develop "The Lego Batman Movie" and take its time with the sequel, which was originally dated for May 2018, later moving back nine months to its current release date.
Both "The Lego Movie" and "The Lego Batman Movie" are animated by Warner Bros. and Australian animation house Animal Logic. The latter is the first Lego spinoff movie and hits theaters on Feb. 10 against "Fifty Shades Darker" and "John Wick: Chapter Two," tracking for a strong opening.
"The Lego Movie" sequel now finds itself in assured animated and comedic hands with Mitchell, who knows his way around sequels. He made his animation debut with "Shrek Forever After" and followed that up with the CG/live-action hybrid movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked." He also worked on "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water."
For Schrab, "The Lego Movie" sequel would have marked his first big feature. He hailed largely from TV comedy, having previously directed episodes of "Community," "The Mindy Project," and "Childrens Hospital."
"The Lego Movie" sequel is set for a Feb. 8, 2019, release.
Watch the video about "Lego Movie" sequel finding its director: