Yesterday, the LEGO Group announced that award-winning director and producer Kenny Ortega will serve as executive producer for its first-ever live-action television project: a LEGO Friends musical special, set in the beloved world of Heartlake City. Filming will commence in London this August, and the exciting new special is set for release in 2026.
Ortega, best known for High School Musical, Descendants, and Hocus Pocus, brings a rich legacy of youth-driven musical storytelling to the LEGO Friends brand. “I don’t know who’s more excited – my family or me. We are a LEGO-loving household, and receiving this invitation from the LEGO Group to join them in their first live-action musical is an absolute honor. Also being able to produce alongside the wonderful team at FINAL PIXEL, leaders in virtual production, has me overjoyed, and I am thrilled to have my longtime creative partner, Paul Becker, alongside.”, said Ortega.
Joining Ortega to direct and choreograph is Paul Becker, acclaimed for his work on Julie and the Phantoms and The Kissing Booth. “I couldn’t be more excited to bring this story to life through song, dance, and cutting-edge technology. We’ve got an incredible team, and we’re creating something truly special,” Becker noted.
The LEGO Friends TV special promises to enchant audiences with lively musical performances and a captivating fusion of physical and digital backdrops. Produced by next-generation technology specialists, Final Pixel, it will incorporate oversized LEGO elements alongside state-of-the-art LED volume technology and real-time rendering with Unreal Engine.
The special brings the vibrant aesthetic of the animated LEGO Friends series to life in a delightful cinematic experience. The storyline follows a girl who constructs a world out of LEGO bricks, only to be magically transported to Heart Lake City, a place brimming with fun, friendship, and adventure, all while exploring beloved themes from the LEGO Friends universe.
“Creating a live-action interpretation of the Friends world is breaking new ground for us, so it’s very exciting. We hope fans will enjoy the experience and continue singing the songs after they’ve watched the special,” said Jill Wilfert, SVP, Global Entertainment Partners and Content at the LEGO Group. “LEGO Friends has been a significant theme for 13 years, and as we continue to develop and offer our fans new, exciting experiences, this special is the perfect fit for the creative and playful LEGO Friends universe.”
What do you think? How do you like the idea of a LEGO Friends musical? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below!
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Wow! I’m so excited about this! 🤗