Zach Galifianakis
Actor Zach Galifianakis, pictured here at the European Premiere of "The Hangover Part 3" in London on May 22, 2013, is in talks to star as the Joker in "Lego Batman." Getty

Warner Bros. is hoping to capture lightning in a bottle once again following the immense success of “The Lego Movie” in 2014. The masterminds behind the first project are hard at work making the upcoming spinoff “Lego Batman,” which may have just found its villain in a very unlikely actor choice.

Just days after Heath Ledger’s Joker diary was revealed to the public, the studio is in final negotiations to add one more of the iconic comic book villains to the big screen canon. “Hangover” actor Zach Galifianakis is reportedly nearing a deal to voice the clown prince of crime in the Lego adaptation of “Batman.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 45-year-old comedian would join Will Arnett, who is reprising his role as the Lego version of Batman that he played in “The Lego Movie.” In addition, IGN reports that Arnett’s fellow “Arrested Development” co-star Michael Cera has signed on to voice the role of Batman’s trusty sidekick, Robin.

If Galifianakis accepts the role he’ll join the likes of Ledger, Jack Nicholson and, soon, Jared Leto in the ranks of people to embody to character of Batman’s arch nemesis in film. Still, given that “Lego Batman” is essentially a children’s movie, odds are good that Galifianakis’ Joker would be significantly more watered down than the film incarnations seen in “The Dark Knight” or “Suicide Squad.”

Still, that’s not to say that “Lego Batman” will take any kind of dip in quality. According to Variety, “Lego Movie” producers Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are set to return for “Lego Batman.” Meanwhile, “Lego Movie” animation supervisor, Chris McKay, will take an expanded role as director of the movie, with a script written by Seth Grahame-Smith.

As previously reported, the writer discussed his plans for the movie in January, saying that it will be “the funniest Batman movie ever” and will feature “the most Bat vehicles and gadgets ever seen on screen,” according to a different article from THR.

“Lego Batman” is currently scheduled for a Feb. 10, 2017 release, exactly three years after the original “Lego Movie” was released.

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