Warner Bros announces LEGO Ninjago movie coming November 2016

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Warner Bros announced that they were planning a sequel to this year’s THE LEGO MOVIE as well as a spin-off based on the Cartoon Network series NINJAGO: MASTERS OF SPINJITZU. We speculated that the May 26, 2017 date announced for a new LEGO film may be for NINJAGO but now we know for certain. 2017 will see THE LEGO MOVIE 2 while the year before will showcase the NINJAGO film.

Deadline reports that Warner Bros has locked in September 23, 2016 as the release date for the NINJAGO movie. Directed by TRON: UPRISING’s Charlie Bean, NINJAGO will be produced by THE LEGO MOVIE’s Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Here’s a quick breakdown of what NINJAGO is all about.

The theme centers on the world of Ninjago, home to both modern cities and ancient villages. Ninjago was created by the First Master of Spinjitzu using the Four Golden Weapons: the Sword of Fire, the Nunchucks of Lightning, the Scythe of Quakes (earth) and the Shurikens of Ice. Wu and Garmadon fought, and the older brother, Garmadon, was banished to the Underworld. Peace didn’t last for long, as Garmadon had sent Skeletons from the underworld to steal the four Weapons. Sensei Wu found four teenagers to train as ninja; Kai, Jay, Cole, and Zane, one of whom, Kai, had a sister, Nya, who had been captured by the Skeletons.

The show is pretty good and plays like a LEGO variation of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. The four main characters all have distinct personality types (and outfit colors). The show is full of humor and follows a serialized structure. In keeping with their origin as a toy line, each season of the show has featured a new villain (skeletons, snakes, and now androids) to provide new toys on the shelf.

While THE LEGO MOVIE was an original property that required no prior knowledge to enjoy, NINJAGO already has a three season established back story. I doubt the movie will serve as a reboot of the animated series, but I am not sure how well it will work for new viewers. All I know for sure is my kids are going to shit their pants when they find out this movie is coming.

NINJAGO hits theaters on September 23, 2016.