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Keanu Reeves Set to Lead Universals New Live-Action LEGO Film with Director Josh Cooley
Keanu Reeves is reportedly in negotiations to headline a new live‑action/animation hybrid LEGO film that Universal Pictures is developing with The LEGO Group. The untitled project will reunite Reeves with Josh Cooley, who directed Pixar’s Toy Story 4 and earned an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
According to Deadline, Reeves is “circling the lead role,” while Universal has declined to comment. Production will be overseen by The LEGO Group’s Jill Wilfert and Ryan Christians, with Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback also attached as producers.
The film follows a five‑year partnership announced in April 2020 that granted Universal exclusive rights to produce new LEGO movies. Prior to that, Warner Bros. released all four of the franchise’s theatrical installments—The LEGO Movie (2014), The LEGO Movie 2 (2019), The LEGO Batman Movie (2017) and The LEGO Ninjago Movie (2017). Since the rights shift, Universal has produced only one film: the 2024 animated biopic Piece by Piece, chronicling musician Pharrell Williams’ life.
Reeves’ involvement adds a fresh dimension to the brand. He voiced the stuntman action figure Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 and has voiced Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). His experience in action and voice work could inform the hybrid format, which may blend live‑action characters and environments with animated LEGO figures.
Cooley’s track record suggests he can bring a new perspective to the LEGO universe. After directing Toy Story 4, he went on to helm Transformers One (2024), an animated pre‑quel that received positive reviews despite modest box‑office performance. His background in storyboarding and animation at Pixar has earned him recognition for blending humor and heart in animated storytelling.
Variety notes that the project will have nothing to do with the earlier LEGO films and will not feature the signature “Everything Is Awesome” theme that defined the 2014 movie. The change in creative team and format may appeal to a new generation of viewers while still leveraging the LEGO brand’s core appeal.
Universal’s strategy to diversify its LEGO portfolio aligns with the studio’s broader push into family‑friendly franchises. Recent releases—including the Fast & Furious sequels and the Jurassic Park reboot—demonstrate its capacity to blend action with broad audience appeal. A live‑action LEGO film could fit that model by offering high‑energy sequences alongside the playful world of LEGO bricks.
Reeves’ career has spanned action, science‑fiction, and voice work. He gained worldwide recognition as Neo in The Matrix (1999) and as the titular assassin in the John Wick series (2014–present). His voice roles in Toy Story 4 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 show his versatility across media. The upcoming LEGO film adds another franchise to his diverse résumé.
At this stage, no release date or budget has been announced. The project remains in development, and Universal has not confirmed a production schedule. Fans of the LEGO brand and Reeves’ work will likely watch for further updates as the film moves from pre‑production toward shooting.
In summary, Keanu Reeves’ potential lead role in a new Universal‑produced LEGO film marks a notable shift in the franchise’s direction. The collaboration with Josh Cooley, a director known for blending animation with live‑action storytelling, could bring a fresh take to the LEGO universe. As Universal continues to expand its family‑friendly slate, the project may represent a strategic effort to combine action, humor and the iconic LEGO aesthetic for a new generation of audiences.
According to Deadline, Reeves is “circling the lead role,” while Universal has declined to comment. Production will be overseen by The LEGO Group’s Jill Wilfert and Ryan Christians, with Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback also attached as producers.
The film follows a five‑year partnership announced in April 2020 that granted Universal exclusive rights to produce new LEGO movies. Prior to that, Warner Bros. released all four of the franchise’s theatrical installments—The LEGO Movie (2014), The LEGO Movie 2 (2019), The LEGO Batman Movie (2017) and The LEGO Ninjago Movie (2017). Since the rights shift, Universal has produced only one film: the 2024 animated biopic Piece by Piece, chronicling musician Pharrell Williams’ life.
Reeves’ involvement adds a fresh dimension to the brand. He voiced the stuntman action figure Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 and has voiced Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). His experience in action and voice work could inform the hybrid format, which may blend live‑action characters and environments with animated LEGO figures.
Cooley’s track record suggests he can bring a new perspective to the LEGO universe. After directing Toy Story 4, he went on to helm Transformers One (2024), an animated pre‑quel that received positive reviews despite modest box‑office performance. His background in storyboarding and animation at Pixar has earned him recognition for blending humor and heart in animated storytelling.
Variety notes that the project will have nothing to do with the earlier LEGO films and will not feature the signature “Everything Is Awesome” theme that defined the 2014 movie. The change in creative team and format may appeal to a new generation of viewers while still leveraging the LEGO brand’s core appeal.
Universal’s strategy to diversify its LEGO portfolio aligns with the studio’s broader push into family‑friendly franchises. Recent releases—including the Fast & Furious sequels and the Jurassic Park reboot—demonstrate its capacity to blend action with broad audience appeal. A live‑action LEGO film could fit that model by offering high‑energy sequences alongside the playful world of LEGO bricks.
Reeves’ career has spanned action, science‑fiction, and voice work. He gained worldwide recognition as Neo in The Matrix (1999) and as the titular assassin in the John Wick series (2014–present). His voice roles in Toy Story 4 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 show his versatility across media. The upcoming LEGO film adds another franchise to his diverse résumé.
At this stage, no release date or budget has been announced. The project remains in development, and Universal has not confirmed a production schedule. Fans of the LEGO brand and Reeves’ work will likely watch for further updates as the film moves from pre‑production toward shooting.
In summary, Keanu Reeves’ potential lead role in a new Universal‑produced LEGO film marks a notable shift in the franchise’s direction. The collaboration with Josh Cooley, a director known for blending animation with live‑action storytelling, could bring a fresh take to the LEGO universe. As Universal continues to expand its family‑friendly slate, the project may represent a strategic effort to combine action, humor and the iconic LEGO aesthetic for a new generation of audiences.
