MAKING ‘THE LEGO MOVIE’

The Lego Movie is entering theaters riding a huge wave of positive critical reviews— striking given the pervasive skepticism that has preceded its release. Producer Dan Lin talks with The Business contributor John Horn about how he pitched the movie idea to The Lego Group and once they were on board, he had to tune out the haters so they could focus on the film.

Producer Dan Lin opens up to The Business contributor John Horn about enduring the ‘haters’ and cynics who, for years, questioned his ambition to make a movie with Legos. Now, as the film opens big, he’s vindicated. Five years ago, Lin— who produced the Sherlock Holmes movies and Terminator Salvation— decided he wanted to make a film his young sons could see. Legos were the way. He talks about the extensive research he did on Lego culture to prepare for pitching The Lego Group in Denmark. The toy company was cautious about making a film which they felt had the potential to hurt more than help. Five years later he screened the movie for 1000 of the top brass and rank and file Lego employees and the crowd went wild.