Just revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is TT Games' next project, and as the game's title implies, the studio is diving back into a very familiar bat-infested well. It's been over a decade since the release of LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, and 17 years since the first LEGO Batman hit store shelves. Fans are champing at the bit for a new installment. But this time, things are a little different.
Rather than adopt the familiar licensed LEGO game formula of old and directly adapt past Batman movies, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is choosing to tell its own version of Bruce Wayne's rise from orphan to Gotham City's number one protector. That said, every step of that journey will seemingly pay homage to a wide variety of past Batman media. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's reveal trailer lasts just two minutes, but it's packed with Easter eggs and references to the Caped Crusader's past.
Every Adam West Era Reference in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's Trailer
Adam West wasn't the first actor to suit up as Batman, but his portrayal in the campy 60s movie and subsequent TV series did earn him a special spot in many fans' hearts. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's trailer didn't feature any direct references to the Adam West era of Batman, but it did show some on-screen onomatopoeia whenever minifig Batman punched a goon. Though this onomatopoeia feels like more of an homage to Batman's long comic history, it was also a staple element of the Adam West era.
Every Michael Keaton Era Reference in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's Trailer
The Tim Burton-directed, Michael Keaton-starring Batman and Batman Returns are two of the most beloved entries in the Caped Crusader's cinematic catalog, and both movies are referenced frequently during LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's first trailer. Danny Elfman's iconic Batman theme, which was first made for the 1989 movie and has since become synonymous with the franchise as a whole, plays throughout LEGO Batman's trailer.
The trailer also features Batman fighting some goons dressed as mimes, which is likely a reference to the scene in Batman '89 where The Joker and a gang of mimes attack Gotham City Hall. One of the few voicelines Batman has in the trailer plays when he's confronting The Joker, where he utters the infamous Keaton Batman line, "You wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts!"
With regard to Batman Returns, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's trailer features Catwoman and Penguin character designs that look heavily inspired by their 1992 silver-screen counterparts, played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVito, respectively. A building brandishing the name "Shreck" can also be spotted, which is seemingly a reference to Batman Returns' original villain, Maximillian Shreck, played by Christopher Walken.
Every Christian Bale Era Reference in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's Trailer
Largely responsible for redefining Batman for the modern era – at least in terms of mainstream consciousness – Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy receives a ton of love in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's first round of footage. The trailer opens with a shipping container scene reminiscent of the Dark Knight's first proper introduction in Batman Begins. The game's Joker design seems heavily inspired by Heath Ledger's version, which is reinforced by the character's use of the iconic Dark Knight line, "Why so serious?"
The Dark Knight Rises' Bane design also makes an appearance, along with direct quotes taken from his "You think darkness is your ally?" Speech, performed here by British comedian and actor Matt Berry. Christian Bale's Batsuit appears for a moment right at the end of this scene. The Dark Knight trilogy's 'Tumbler' Batmobile also makes a brief cameo.
There are also a few references to the wider DC Universe in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's trailer, such as a shipping container that features the 'Kord Industries' logo, a reference to Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle.
Every Robert Pattinson Era Reference in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight's Trailer
He may be the newest kid on the block, but even Robert Pattinson's The Batman gets a few nods in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Jeffrey Wright's version of Jim Gordon appears in a few shots in the trailer, and the final moments of the movie's thrilling Batman-Penguin car chase (complete with Pattinson's muscle car Batmobile) are recreated almost one-for-one, with it even including the flipped camera perspective and transition into the title that ended one of The Batman's most iconic pre-release trailers.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is set for release in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.