The Lego Movie was a hit a with children and adults alike – just like the blocks themselves – and it looks like next week’s Lego Batman Movie will be following suit. This week each of us has taken a toy (or board game in Deeby’s case) and turned it into a viable film franchise. Probably.

Here’s what I’ve got for you this week:

• The Transformers brand all began in 1984. Based on two Japanese toy lines – Diaclone and Microman – the toys were given an original story by Hasbro, pitting the two brands against each other as the Autobots and Decepticons.
  • This is slightly reflected in the 1998 film Small Soldiers, where David Cross’ character’s toy line idea was repurposed to be the bad guys for the “heroic” good guys.

• Are G.I. Joe and Action Man the same product? According to a reliable source, pretty much. The original G.I. Joe figures were introduced to the public in 1964 – the same moulds were used for the Action Man line in the UK between 1966 and 1984.
  • The rise and popularity of G.I. Joe also led to the coining of the term “action figure”.

• Have you seen the alternative ending to I Am Legend? Well, here it is:

• There’s a Lego Movie 2 on the way, to be directed by Trolls director Mike Mitchell. Mitchell is also responsible for Shrek Forever After, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked and Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo, so here’s hoping it’s just as good as the first.
  • He also directed the Disney film Sky High, which is actually a pretty good film that no-one really saw.

That’s all for this week. If you like what you’re reading/hearing feel free to leave us a review on iTunes and spread the word. If your friends start listening too, you’ll have another thing to talk about together!

Tam