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The Lego incarnation of Batman proved to be so popular in the Warner Bros. hit The Lego Movie that he is getting his own big-screen spinoff.

Not only that, the movie is being fast-tracked.

Chris McKay, the animation supervisor on Lego Movie, was initially set to direct that project's sequel. However, the movie is being pushed back and McKay is now helming the Lego Batman movie, which is being written by author-screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith.

Warners is eyeing a 2017 release for the spinoff, possibly even the original date for Lego Movie 2. The next Lego movie is Ninjago, which is due to open Sept. 23, 2016. The Lego Movie sequel would presumably come after 2017.

Will Arnett will reprise the voice of the Caped Crusader. Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the custodians of the Lego screen brand, are producing.

Batman was one of the highlights of the movie, stealing every scene that he was in. With Arnett taking Christian Bale’s gravely voice to an extreme degree, the character was arrogant, dark, sarcastic, and just too-cool-for-this-adventure.

Lego Batman is already a very popular franchise. There have been at least three video games as well as a straight-to-home movie, Lego Batman: The Movie, DC Super Heroes Unite, where Troy Baker provided the voice for the Dark Knight.

Warners had no comment.

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The news of the casting of "Scott Pilgrim" star Michael Cera as Robin the Boy Wonder would probably get fanboys up in arms. Well it has just happened, but it's in a context that makes sense and probably won't draw any anger.

Cera will lend his voice to the character in the upcoming "Batman"-themed spin-off of "The LEGO Movie" at Warner Bros. Pictures. Cera will reunite with his "Arrested Development" co-star Will Arnett who returns as the voice of the Dark Knight and return as Batman's partner-in-crimefighting.

Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are producing while Chris McKay is directing from a script by Seth Grahame-Smith.

Cera has also acquired the film rights to Charles Portis' novel "Masters of Atlantis" with plans to act in and potentially direct the project about a young man who becomes entangled in a quasi-religious cult which focuses on the lost city of Atlantis.

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Zach Galifianakis is in final negotiations to voice the villain in Lego Batman, Warner Bros.’ spinoff of The Lego Movie.

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‘Lego Batman’ Casts Rosario Dawson as Batgirl
October 16, 2015 | 09:24AM PT
Dave McNary
Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary

Rosario Dawson will voice Batgirl in the animated “Lego Batman” opposite Will Arnett, Michael Cera and Zach Galifianakis in the Warner Bros.’ spin-off of “The Lego Movie.”

Chris McKay, who supervised animation on “The Lego Movie,” is directing from a script by Seth Grahame-Smith. Producers are Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

“Lego Batman” opens Feb. 10, 2017. Arnett is voicing Batman while Cera is on board for Robin and Galifianakas will voice The Joker.

Dawson is starring in season two of Netflix and Marvel’s “Daredevil,” playing Claire Temple.

She is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Bloom Hergott.

The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

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November 03, 2015 9:06am PT by Borys Kit
'Lego Batman' Finds Its Alfred with Ralph Fiennes (Exclusive)

Fiennes joins Will Arnett, who is reprising the Caped Crusader role he originated in 'Lego Movie.'

Ralph Fiennes is ready to serve Batman.

The Oscar-winning actor has signed on to voice Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s loyal butler, in Lego Batman, Warner Bros.' spinoff of The Lego Movie.

Fiennes now joins Will Arnett, who is reprising the Caped Crusader role he originated in Lego Movie, Michael Cera, voicing the hero’s sidekick, Robin, and Rosario Dawson, who is playing Batgirl. Zach Galifianakis is in negotiations to play the Joker.

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