Children visit the Lego World in Zwolle, The Netherlands, 19 October 2011
Those Transformers might not be quaking in their boots quite yet, but there’s some competition on the horizon.
It’s been reported that Warner Bros (which, like TIME, is owned by Time Warner) has given the green light to a long-awaited Lego movie, which will be a mixture of live action and animation and is expected to be released in 2014.
Here are the all important details for the building of a blockbuster: it’s rumored that it’s being directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the duo behind the adorable (and criminally underrated) Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, once they’re done with the 21 Jump Street reboot, which marks their live-action debut. Writing duties should be going to Dan and Kevin Hageman (Hotel Transylvania) with the location for the production Sydney, Australia. Warner is tipped to collaborate once again with visual effects house Animal Logic (Warner worked with them on the Oscar-winning Happy Feet as well as Zack Snyder’s Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole.)
(LIST: All-TIME 100 Greatest Toys)
But “plot details for Lego – an action-adventure set in the Lego world – remain under wraps,” reports Variety. “Casting for the live-action characters is set to begin in January.” Despite the secrecy, there couldn’t be a better time for all concerned to take the plunge. Transformers and G.I. Joe have shown the undeniable appetite for toy-based movies, and Lego’s video game versions of Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter have been smash hits. It’s also worth pointing out that there have been straight-to-DVD excursions for themed Lego characters such as Bionicles and Clutch Powers.
But this is the next step for the Danish company with a fascinating backstory. Lego has twice named Toy of the Century and seven sets are sold per second today. Say what you will about the finished product, but don’t you dare call the acting wooden. Plastic, perhaps, but never wooden.