The LEGO Batman and Spider-Man Movie

Official Release Poster

***The LEGO Batman and Spider-Man Movie*** is an American comedy action film based on the series of the same name. It is produced by The LEGO Company and distributed by Gabriel Combs Movies. It stars Lennon Richardson and Gabriel Combs reprising their roles from the series. It follows Batman and Spider-Man as they travel back in time for their biggest adventure yet.

The film was released on YouTube on January 5, 2022, nearly 2 years after the original release date. Responses to the film were positive, with fans praising the character development, action sequences, humor, acting, editing, and emotional weight, while the story received some criticism. A sequel is in development.

## Plot

A supervillain named Syndrome attacks Pie City. Batman and Spider-Man arrive and battle him. Batman knocks him out with a metal pole, leaving him unconscious. This catches the attention of Mayor Brown, who praises them for their hard work and reminds them that their "five year anniversary of knowing each other" is that same night. Batman and Spider-Man attend the event, but Green Goblin and Joker crash it and capture them. Batman and Spider-Man wake up in the villains' lair, where they explain that they want to send them back in time to "test something".

Batman and Spider-Man are sent back to 2005. A figure named Beast Machine approaches the two, and, upon discovering that they are superheroes, attempts to kill them. Batman knocks him unconscious, catching the attention of Thomas and Martha Wayne, the deceased parents of Batman who died 17 years ago. Batman bonds with them, unintentionally outcasting Spider-Man. Furious, Spider-Man goes on a mission to go back to the present without Batman. However, the villains nearly kill Spider-Man. Batman knocks out the villains, but Batman's parents suddenly knock them out.

Robin, Iron Man, Superman, and Shazam interrogate Green Goblin and Joker, who reveal that they actually sent Batman and Spider-Man to 2027, five years in the future. To prevent more problems, the heroes travel to 2027 to help Batman and Spider-Man return home. During this, Batman and Spider-Man reconcile. Batman's parents are revealed to be the future variants of Green Goblin and Joker, who went back in time to convince their past selves to bring the two to the future. They reveal their plan to create an army of evil superheroes to take over the world using a clone machine, and they knock out Batman. He wakes up later, and reveals to Spider-Man that his parents never divorced, but rather died mysteriously by disappearig.

2027 Green Goblin and 2027 Joker attempt to push Batman and Spider-Man into the clone machine, but Superman arrives and rescues them, flying them to safety. Beast Machine shoots them down, leaving them harmed. Batman, Spider-Man, and the other heroes unite and battle the villains. Batman attempts to deactivate the clone machine, but Green Goblin attacks him. Before Green Goblin can win the battle, Batman sends him flying onto a wall, crashing him through it and possibly killing him. Batman then throws a bomb into the clone machine, destroying it. Beast Machine attempts to kill Batman, but Batman reveals that Beast Machine is the 2027 Iron Man variant, and reminds him of their past.

The heroes are sent back to the present one by one, teleporting back to their homes. In the present, Green Goblin and Joker are arrested for an illegal use of a time machine by Officer Johnny McGonny. As the heroes return home, Batman and Spider-Man unknowingly run them over. They drive to Hollywood, where Spider-Man requests that they make a movie about this. Batman tells Spider-Man that he'd be surprised about how many people want to make a movie about them, winking at the camera and breaking the fourth wall.

In a post-credits scene, Green Goblin and Joker rot in prison, plotting to "activate plan B".

## Voice Cast

#### Main characters

* Lennon Richardson as Batman
* Gabriel Combs as Spider-Man
* Gabriel Combs as Iron Man / Beast Machine
* Gabriel Combs as Thomas Wayne
* Gabriel Combs as Green Goblin
* Lennon Richardson as Joker

#### Additional characters

* Gabriel Combs as Robin
* Lennon Richardson as Superman
* Lennon Richardson as Shazam
* Lennon Richardson as Mayor Brown

Additionally, the characters Officer Johnny McGonny, Syndrome, and Bob, all voiced by Richardson (McGonny) and Combs (Syndrome and Bob) are featured in cameo appearances, respectively.

## Production

#### Original version

The film was officially announced in December 2019 as an untitled film. Filming took place between December 2019 and January 2020, making it fastest film they ever created. The film was scheduled for a release date of March 2020. It was delayed and then thought to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This version of the film would take place in between the second and third seasons of the series and follow Batman and Spider-Man as they are challenged with a new foe - a morphed version of Green Goblin and Joker dubbed the "Goker". After an initial failed battle, Batman gets the "losing for the first time blues", but the heroes eventually defeat Goker and save the world. Richardson and Combs later stated that they were more satisfied with the final version of the film.

#### Second version

The film was brought back and the script was changed in November 2020, and re-filming is scheduled for May 2021. In February 2021, Combs confirmed that filming would begin and end in March, and that Spider-Man would return in the film. In April 2021, filming was rescheduled for May due to scripting issues and Combs and Richardson being unavailable for reshoots. It was later revealed by Combs that the film would be released on July 27, 2021, celebrating the 2 year anniversary of the series. This version was later canceled, so that Richardson and Combs could focus more on the series.

This version of the film was set to take place 5 years in the future and follow Batman, following the supposed "death" of Spider-Man, as he would search for help to save Pie City from the "Goker", who in this version of the film overthrew Pie City and became its ruler. Batman would later find Spider-Man and together, the two would team up to save the world again one last time. The film would serve as a conclusion to the series, but Richardson disliked the idea, and the film was rewritten. It was later stated by Combs that aspects of this version of the film would be included in the sequel.

#### Final version

The third and final version of the film was announced by Combs in a teaser on August 14, 2021. The plot was completely changed, now set to follow Batman and Spider-Man going back in time, and is also scheduled to include Batman's parents, though it is unknown who will voice Martha Wayne. Filming lasted from August 2021 to September, and a trailer was released shortly after, confirming that this version would officially be released and not canceled. The film will also set up the end of the series, though the second film was said to be "not coming out in a long time".

## Marketing

The film's marketing began in December 2019, when the official announcement was posted. No trailer was released for the original version of the film. The second version of the film had a teaser, which was released in March 2021, but the trailer was later deleted due to the film being cut. The final version began marketing on August 31, 2021, when Combs posted a teaser poster for the film. The first official trailer for the film was released on September 11, 2021, shortly after filming ended. A second and final trailer was released on November 6, 2021, alongside a final poster as seen above.

## Reception

On the Like vs. Dislike Scale, the film received a 78% score, based on 272 views, with a score of 77.95 out of 100. The YouTube Algorythm reads, "If you're looking for funny jokes, tons of action, and plenty of heart, *The LEGO Batman and Spider-Man Movie* delivers." YouTube reviewer tellymustard gave the film a mixed review, saying "Thoroughly enjoyed the action sequences and editing. Did not care for the story though." Despite this, he also called the film the "best film of the year so far".

On IMDb, the film currently holds a score of 7.8 out of 10, based on 25 reviews.

## Release

The film was released on YouTube in January 5, 2022. It was originally scheduled to be released on March 22, 2020, but was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the actors being unavailable.

## Sequel

*Main article: The LEGO Batman and Spider-Man Movie 2*

On March 1, 2022, it was announced via Combs' Instagram account that a sequel had entered development. Combs, in relation to the project, stated "It will not happen any time soon. It's gonna happen when the show ends, because we have a really good plan for it." On July 19, 2023, it was announced that the film would be released on January 8, 2027.

## References

1. YouTube Channel
2. Filming Announcement (June 4, 2021)
3. Final Delay (July 15, 2021)
4. Teaser (August 14, 2021)
5. Release Date Announcement and Teaser Poster (August 31, 2021)
6. Official Trailer (September 11, 2021)
7. Final Trailer (November 6, 2021)
8. Final Poster (November 6, 2021)
9. Sequel Announcement (March 1, 2022)