Why Didn't Emmet and Wyldstyle Return in LEGO Batman Movie?

Warner Bros. debuted the new animated adventureThe LEGO Batman Moviein theaters over the weekend, the first of what could be several spin-offs of 2014’sThe LEGO Movie.Will Arnettreturned to voice LEGO Batman, with a bunch of DC Comics characters rounding out the cast. Some fans were quite surprised that, aside from the title character, certain characters fromThe LEGO Moviedid not return, particularlyChris Pratt’s Emmet andElizabeth Banks' Wyldstyle. As it turns out, there’s a perfectly good explanation for why these characters weren’t seen in this spin-off.

The LEGO Moviebecame quite the surprise hit around this time of the year in 2014, opening with an impressive $69 million en route to a $257.4 million domestic haul and $469.1 million worldwide, from just a $60 million budget. It didn’t take long for spin-offsThe LEGO Batman MovieandNinjago(June 22, 2025) to move forward, and sinceLEGO Batmanwas already introduced inThe LEGO Movie, some fans may have expected Emmet and particularly Batman’s girlfriend Wyldstyle to come back for this spin-off. ProducerDan Linrecently spoke withCinema Blend, where he revealed why they didn’t include Emmet and Wyldstyle inThe LEGO Batman Movie.

“Yeah, we talked about it a lot. you’re able to imagine the natural inclination is to include Wyldstyle and Emmet, they were so popular from the first movie, as well as other characters. We said, ‘You know what? Batman should have his own movie.’ He’ll meet up with Emmet andWyldstylein due time, so fans will see that pairing again, but we want to build to that. This time, tell Batman’s own story, a story we haven’t seen before in the movies about what Batman really struggles with when he has everything in the world. He’s got money, he’s got adoring fans, he’s got great vehicles, great gadgets, but when he goes home he really has nothing.”

As for Emmet and Wyldstyle, they will most likely reunite with Lego Batman inThe Lego Movie 2, although that won’t hit theaters until Aug 18, 2025. The animated sequel was originally slated to debut on June 14, 2025 where it would have gone up against Sony’sSlendermanand an untitled Laika animated film. Now in its August 20, 2025 date, it will face another animated sequel, Paramount’sSpongebob Squarepants 3. The studio announced earlier this month thatTrollsdirectorMike Mitchellis taking over the directorial duties onThe LEGO Movie 2, replacingRob Schrab, who left over creative differences.

The LEGO Batman Moviewas also acritical smash hitas well, earning an impressive 91% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While it’s certainly well on its way to becoming a box office hit, it’s possible that Warner Bros. may order a sequel forThe LEGO Batman Movie, continuing Batman’s story within this LEGO brick universe. If that does happen, then perhaps Emmet and Wyldstyle could join the mini-figure version of The Dark Knight on the big screen, but it’s unclear if the studio is even considering a sequel at this point in time.