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Universal Developing Lego 'Hero Factory' Line into a Movie Now, Too

by Ethan Anderton
May 24, 2012
Source: Heat Vision

Even after adapting a peg-based board game into the blockbuster dud that was Battleship, the folks at Universal Pictures aren't done with toy-based film adaptations just yet. Heat Vision has word that the studio is developing a movie based on the LEGO toy line Hero Factory. However, unlike Battleship, or the LEGO brick in general (which is still big enough to get a movie from the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs filmmakers), this toyline comes with a whole mythology and a real storyline on which to base a screenplay. And that job has fallen to Predators screenwriters Michael Finch and Alex Litvak this time. More below!

With a slew of robots, villains, and things that just make kids go crazy, there's plenty here that would make for some kind of fun movie. Here's a rundown of the story behind Hero Factory from the official website:

The mighty Hero Factory. A beacon of strength and security throughout the universe. Hero Factory stands fortress-like in the centre of Makuhero City, impenetrable and incorruptible – until now!

The vast and hideous collection of villains and monsters, held inside Hero Factory’s Storage Facility, have somehow broken their container locks and are fleeing from Makuhero City to all corners of the galaxy.

As the heroes battle to capture the villains, it soon becomes apparent that the breakout is merely a way to distract the heroes from the actions of the evil Black Phantom, who has stayed behind to destroy the Factory’s Assembly Tower.

With the mission managers immobilized by Black Phantom, Hero Factory locked down and all contact with the heroes cut off, Rocka – the only hero not on mission – must use all of his training and expertise to foil Black Phantom’s diabolical plans and save Hero Factory.

If left uncaptured, these villains could do incredible damage. It is of the utmost importance that we bring them back to Hero Factory as soon as possible. Due to the extreme nature of this emergency, we’ll be breaking with protocol and sending heroes out on individual missions. You’ll be equipped with powerful cuffs and specially designed gear in order to capture the wayward villains.

I have to admit, that sounds pretty cool. Unlike the Phil Lord and Chris Miller helmed LEGO movie, this Hero Factory adaptation would be a live-action film, and completely independent of anything that LEGO is doing for the other CG film. And as the studios love nowadays, there's already built-in merchandising since the toyline already has comics, a computer application and a theme park to go along with it. However, it doesn't sound like it's a far cry from Transformers, and judging by the poor turnout for Battleship, I wonder if audiences are getting fatigue from seeing big machines and aliens cause destruction all the time with insanely detailed special effects. We'll have to wait and see.

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