If you recall back in 2016, when things are still smooth sailing between the LEGO Group and Warner Bros, a grand plan was made to bring the LEGO brand at the forefront of mainstream media. Riding on the success of The LEGO Movie back in 2014, more films were slated to be released following the footsteps of the LEGO Group’s first theatrical endeavor. Though we saw the success of the LEGO Batman Movie, the next two brick-films – the LEGO Ninjago Movie and the LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part – were not that close to what their predecessors managed to achieve. So it doesn’t come as a surprise if LEGO and Warner Bros. eventually decided to pull the plug on yet another possible theatrical collaboration. The Billion Brick Race was initially planned for release sometime in May this year, but unfortunately, we will never see this film on the big screen. And these include potential LEGO tie-in sets that it may come about later on.
However, such setbacks did not discourage the film’s would-be director to share some of his minifigure character designs for The Billion Brick Race. Jorge R. Gutirrez, who also helmed the animated film, The Book of Life, took to Twitter to share some of his initial character sketches of the colorful characters that were expected to appear in the film. Take a look.
I found the character designs from my take for the LEGO film I was trying to get going at WB. With LEGO leaving WB I think these are safe to show. pic.twitter.com/bt2sNc2siv
— Jorge R. Gutierrez (@mexopolis) December 23, 2019
Since the shelving of the film project and Jorge’s departure from Warner Bros, he saw it fitting to share his creation with the rest of the world and to the LEGO fan community in particular. There is no clear definite plot yet regarding The Billion Brick Race, but the way the characters were designed gives us a grasp of the overall feel of the film.
Admittedly, Jorge incorporated some of the 80s and 90s pop icons and symbols and fused it with his signature art design. I also appreciate what he did coming up with a LEGO minifigure character in a wheelchair. The diversity that he introduces with regards to these minifig character sketches is also admirable, together with his keen attention to detail. Just take a look at tattoos on some of the minifigs’ arms.
One particular point of interest is the oversized minifigure of what I think is a wrestler which follows the same mold as that of Axl from the now discontinued LEGO Nexo Knights. I feel that this form of minifigure has a lot of potential for a LEGO set but sadly, we don’t see it further developed after the end of Nexo Knights and now much more with the shelving of The Billion Brick Race.
Who knows if Universal will eventually pick up where Warner Bros left have of with regards to this would-be brickfilm. I personally want to see this next LEGO film happen, and perhaps we just have to wait and see if the LEGO Group and Universal will put this back on the table.