'The Lego Movie 2' sequel release date, latest news: Rob Schrab to direct new film

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After Christopher Miller and Phil Lord stepped down from the directors' chair for the next installment of the critically acclaimed "The Lego Movie," renowned TV show director Rob Schrab has been tasked to occupy the empty seat. 

The upcoming "The Lego Movie 2" will be Schrab's first venture into the big screen. His works include several hit comedy series like "Community," "The Mindy Project," as well as the recently concluded "Parks and Recreation." 

Meanwhille, the directors of the first "Lego Movie" will still be working on the new project as the screenplay writers based on the story they conceptualized together with Michelle Morgan and Jared Stern. 

In an interview with Variety, Lord and Miller shared their enthusiasm with working with Schrab, saying, "We are so excited to collaborate with Rob. He is a comedy genius, a visual savant, and we have been stalking him for years. No one works harder than Rob, and his aesthetic, combined with his sense of humor, bring a strong, unique, thoughtful, and passionately nerdy voice to this project. People who know him are slapping their foreheads today and saying, 'Of course!'" 

The original "The Lego Movie" earned the nod from different award giving bodies since its release last year. It won several Best Animated Feature awards, including the American Cinema Editors, the 42nd Annual Annie Awards, Austin Film Critics Association, the BAFTA Awards, as well as the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. It was also nominated during the Academy Awards for the Best Original Song category. 

At the moment, the cast for the upcoming installment of "The Lego Movie" is not confirmed yet, but original cast member Chris Pratt, who lent his voice to the character Emmet Brickowski, stated last year that he is willing to return to the franchise if asked. 

The film, which is now aptly called "The Lego Movie Sequel," is slated to be released in 2018.