Warner Bros. to Bring Lego's 'Ninjago' to Big Screen (Exclusive)
The Hageman brothers, who wrote the hit Cartoon Network animated series, will pen the film adaptation.
Warner Bros. is so high on its upcoming The Lego Movie that it is moving forward with another big-screen take based on the popular toy.
Brothers Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman, who received story-by credit on Lego Movie, will pen Ninjago, a film adaptation of the Ninjago toy line, one of the brand's most popular with young boys.
The line has already spawned the hit Cartoon Network animated series Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, which the Hageman brothers wrote.
Warner Bros. is readying its Lego Movie, a computer-animated adventure comedy directed by Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs helmers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. That film is scheduled to be released Feb. 7, 2014. The studio recently released a trailer of the film, which was met with an enthusiastic response.
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The Cartoon Network series is set in the fictional world of Ninjago, a place inspired by Chinese and Japanese myths and culture and features dragons and mystical snakes like the Great Devourer. The main character is Kai, the red ninja of fire. The film will feature a new take that diverges from the TV series.
Warner Bros.-based Dan Lin and Roy Lee, who are producing The Lego Movie, will produce Ninjago alongside Miller and Lord. The directing duo will not helm Ninjago, however, but are close to attaching a director. Lego's Jill Wilfert, who oversees all the Lego movies on behalf of the company, is executive producing.
Courtenay Valenti is overseeing for Warner Bros.
Lego first launched a ninja-themed line in 1998 as part of its Lego Castle line. In 2011, the toy maker released the new theme called Lego Ninjago Masters of Spinjitzu, which featured elements from the earlier ninja series.
The Hageman brothers have become go-to writers for family-friendly films among the studios. Their credits also include the animated hit Hotel Transylvania, which is getting sequel treatment.
They are repped by CAA, Underground's Trevor Engelson and attorney Adam Kaller of Hansen Jacobson.
