First Pics From The New Lego Batman Movie

So Batman looks a bit more happy in his own Lego movie, then?

Gone, it would appear, is the talk of ‘darkness’ and 'no parents’ from 2014’s superlative 'The Lego Movie’, in which he indulged his introspective side.

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Here he is grinning away like no one’s business with his Batcopter/Batplane.

These are the first pictures - via USA Today - from the forthcoming Lego Batman movie, with 'Arrested Development’s Will Arnett reprising his role as the perhaps less-tortured-than-we-thought superhero of Gotham City.

Director Chris McKay has said: “We’re making 'About a Boy’ as directed by Michael Mann.”

Whatever they’re up to, we’re excited not least because of the superb voice cast joining Arnett, including Ralph Fiennes as Alfred, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, and Zach Galifianakis as The Joker.

Meanwhile, fellow 'Arrested Development’ alumnus Michael Cera will play Dick Grayson/Robin, while Superman is voiced by Channing Tatum, Green Lantern by Jonah Hill, and Wonder Woman by Cobie Smulders.

Speaking to USA Today, Arnett said: “The Batcave is even better than we remembered it, it’s awesome. But I also love getting into the ho-hum day-to-day of being Batman and what it’s like to fight crime each day.

Added McKay: “We thought if we can tell a well-rounded, funny story that’s action-packed, we can build a big movie around this character. This is the movie we would want to see.”

“Like the idea of Batman oversleeping his alarm clock makes me laugh. It really does humanize him.”

The movie is slated for release in February, 2017.

Image credits: Sony