USA TODAY International Edition
‘Lego 2’ superfeud leads Batman to find true love
You might be thinking that Lego Batman peaked with his 2017 hit “The Lego Batman Movie.”
You’d be wrong.
The brooding Dark Knight minifigure voiced by Will Arnett steals the show (just ask him) from low-key hero Emmet (Chris Pratt) and tough warrior Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) in “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.”
Besides eye-popping new outfits, his superfeud with Lego Superman compels the ultimate Bat-chelor to walk down the aisle with Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (voiced by Tiffany Haddish).
We spoke to Arnett about big batty love and super-jealousy in the new animated sequel (in theaters Friday).
Question: Between us romantics, isn’t it wonderful to see Lego Batman getting hitched?
Will Arnett: He was tricked into falling in love. He turned Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi down until she said she was really into Superman. That turned something in Batman. She used his ego against him.
Q: So Superman is really responsible for the end of the Bat-chelor?
Arnett: Very responsible. But Superman never realizes the role he plays.
They are both pawns in a bigger scheme.
Q: But the Lego Batman vs. Superman rivalry is blowing up in Lego world.
Arnett: We had a little of that in “Lego Batman,” seeing Batman’s role in the Justice League and where he fits in the DC world, and where he thinks he fits. But certainly his relationship with Superman is strained more. And it’s fun.
Q: How close an eye do the liveaction Marvel and DC Comics representatives keep on their Lego counterparts?
Arnett: Everyone talks internally when these are put together. For all the DC and Marvel characters, we want to make sure we have fun but respect. In “Lego Batman,” the password to the Batcave was “Iron Man sucks.” That line came in the moment in the recording booth. And it stayed. We ran it up the Marvel flagpole, and they were really cool with it.It’s in the spirit of having a good time.
Q: How did Robert Downey Jr. take that?
Arnett: I know Robert, and we’ve always had a laugh. Everyone gets it. It’s an honor to be poked fun at like that.
Q: Lego Batman boldly steps out as a Michael Keaton Bat-fan. Is that your influence?
Arnett: Michael Keaton was the first cinematic Batman for me. So he’ll always have that special place for first love. I love the way he created it.
Q: Help me decide which new Batsuit I love best, Road Warrior or Disco King?
Arnett: There is the postapocalyptic “Mad Max” vibe going on here. But I do like Disco King. I would have preferred more shoulder pads, really.
Q: That $311 million in worldwide box office prompts me to ask: When is Lego Batman going solo again?
Arnett: It’s too early to speculate on what will materialize. But it’s something we’ve talked about. We’ll see. No official talks, I’ll just say that.