Chris McKay is critical piece, will direct ‘Lego Movie’ sequel

The burgeoning “Lego Movie� franchise has a new master builder: Chris McKay, who served as animation co-director on the first film.

McKay has been hired to direct the 2017 sequel, according to a Deadline Hollywood report, taking the reins from “Lego Movie� directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

A Chicago native, McKay got his start in TV animation, winning an Emmy for his work on Cartoon Network’s “Robot Chicken.� He also worked on the Adult Swim series “Titan Maximum.� The “Lego� sequel will mark his first studio film as a director.

Lord and Miller scored an, er, blockbuster with their animated adventure about a cheerful, obedient everyman facing off against an evil despot. Since its release Feb. 7, “The Lego Movie� has grossed more than $362 million worldwide, on a budget of less than $65 million. The pair will stick around as producers on the “Lego� sequel, which is being written by Jared Stern (“The Internship�) and Michelle Morgan (“Girl Most Likely�).

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While “The Lego Movie� has proved to be one of the year’s most successful films and biggest surprises, the sequel seems to be moving in a slightly different direction.

With its February release date, “The Lego Movie� provided a breath of fresh air in a typically fallow period for interesting new films, but the sequel has been set for a prime Memorial Day slot, in the midst of the crowded summer movie season. McKay’s first-time status is also a contrast to Lord and Miller, who before “Lego� had compiled a long résumé of putting witty, creative spins on seemingly silly premises with movies such as “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs� and “21 Jump Street.�

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