Normally live-action superhero films are on the big screen and the animated superhero movies (from B-level studios with C-level animation) are either produced for TV or direct to DVD. But Disney and WB have decided to bring comic book and Lego action stars to movie theaters.
WB’s “Lego” (opening February 28th, 2014) will star the CGI Lego versions of Superman and Batman. These two iconic superheroes will finally join forces in the same movie. Rumored to voice the “Man of Steel” is the red-hot Channing Tatum, while one of the most popular animated voice actors around, Will Arnett, is expected to get the role as “The Caped Crusader.” Arnett’s done voice work in “Monsters vs. Aliens”, “Despicable Me”, “Ratatouille”, “Horton Hears a Who!”, and “The Secret World of Arrietty”. If this is a hit, expect talk to begin of a “Lego: Indiana Jones” movie (with Harrison Ford) and many other spin-offs.
Meantime, Disney has announced plans for “Big Hero 6”. The studio teaming-up with Marvel (which they own) for an adaptation of the comic about another group of heroes (lesser known than “The Avengers”). This is the latest of five projects Disney has on their plate, including “Wreck-It Ralph” (opening in Nov.), “Frozen” (2013), a “Mickey Mouse” movie and the on-and-off “King of the Elves”.”B.H. 6″ is probably 3-4 years away.
Superhero movies have never been hotter and animated kids films continue to be the best guarantee of box office success. So I guess it only makes sense that the new target for superhero films will be little kids (at least starting in 2014). It’s an interesting strategy that could have a huge payoff.
Mom and dad can’t (or, at least, shouldn’t) take Brian and his little pals to “The Dark Knight Rises” for his 6th birthday party, but they’ll have no problem spending big money to take them all to “Lego”. And they’ll have to buy tickets for themselves as well.