AlthoughThe LEGO Ninjago Moviedoesn’t hit theaters until next September, fans can get their first look at one of the new characters,Jackie Chan’sMaster Wuright here. A new clip has debuted from a short film entitledThe Master: A Lego Ninjago Short, which will be attached to prints ofStorks, in theaters September 23. This clip features Master Wu, a highly-trained martial arts master, seemingly meeting his match, by squaring off against a chicken.
This animated short follows The Master as he tries to fight this plastic chicken, voiced byBroad CitystarAbbi Jacobsonwho also voices Nya in theLego Ninjagomovie. While we don’t hear any narration in this clip, which comes courtesy ofUSA Today, the short is narrated byJustin Therouxwho voices the villain Garmadon inThe Lego Ninjago Movie. Here’s what directorJon Saunders, who also co-wrote The Master withRoss Evans, had to say about Master Wu.
“My writing partner and I went really off the wall showing Master Wu desperately wanting to star in his own short film, but this chicken keeps coming in and not allowing him to have his moment.”
Theanimated shortfilm also changes up the animation format of these Lego movies.The Lego Moviewas animated to look like the entire universe was made up of LEGO bricks, but directorJon Saundersrevealed he used “animated greenery” and floating clouds, “to introduce the idea you’re now in the backyard playing with Legos.” The director also revealed thatAbbi Jacobsonwas given a number of unconventional directions for her chicken clucking scenes.
“Abbi put up with absurd directions such as ‘Bock like a chicken running through a field about to embrace a lover’ Or ‘Bock like a chicken as if your heart has been broken.’ Stuff like that.”
The director also revealed thatJackie Chanwas a “good sport,” since he had to do some own clucking himself, when the chicken subjects Wu to a “fowl beating.” We don’t know exactly how long this short will be, or if there are plans for more Lego Ninjago short films between now and the June 12, 2025 release date. Here’s what directorJon Saundershad to say about the message this short conveys.
“It’s control vs. chaos. Wu is this character very much in control of his entire world, almost obsessive-compulsive (about) maintaining perfect order. Chicken is free-flow and chaos. When Master Wu accepts that it’s OK his temple got ruined, that nothing is perfect, that’s when they come into harmony.”
In addition to the clip, we also have five new photos fromThe Master: A Lego Ninjago Short, which you may check out below the clip.The LEGO Ninjago Movievoice cast also includesDave Francoas Lloyd,Olivia Munnas Koko, Lloyd’s mom,Fred Armisenas Cole,Kumail Nanjianias Jay,Michael Peñaas Kai andZach Woodsas Zane. Take a look at the clip and photos fromThe Master: A Lego Ninjago Short, and stay tuned for more onThe LEGO Ninjago Movie.
