The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part stars leave fans out in the cold

A promotional event for The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part this morning saw fans shivering in 1 °c temperature, with most not getting to meet Chris Pratt and Tiffany Haddish.

This morning, Friday, February 1, eager fans braved temperatures that felt freezing to meet Chris Pratt and Tiffany Haddish, who were scheduled to serve coffee at a pop-up LEGO café by the Thames. Unfortunately for those who attended, the stars of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part did not spend much time interacting with the public.

It has been heavily trailed during the past week that the stars of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Chris Pratt and Tiffany Haddish, with the press release stating that: “The Hollywood stars will serve Londoners the first beverages, giving those lucky enough to find their way to the front of the queue the chance to meet some of the film’s main cast.” Time Out, The Metro, The Mirror and Us Weekly were some of the media outlets sharing the news.

With the launch scheduled at 9.00am, around 40 fans were queuing by 8.30am, keen to snap a selfie while getting a coffee with the two actors. Unfortunately, staff managing the line had no information on how long the actors would stay for or how many fans they would greet. While they did arrive around 9.00am, Pratt and Haddish spent time doing a pre-arranged photo op with a group of children, before engaging in further press activity.

When the public did start being let into the pop-up coffee shop, only a handful were able to meet Chris Pratt or Tiffany Haddish. The duo returned to the press area, taking part in interviews with the media. The members of staff manning the coffee kiosk had no information on whether the actors would spend more time with the public, but said: “at least you can get a coffee”.

Following their interviews, Pratt and Haddish were escorted away be security, with a group of fans following the pair in the hope of getting a selfie or an autograph. By 9.20am, the actors had left.
The event’s press release: “Fans can check for updates and the chance to meet the stars by going to the @TheLEGOMoviesUK twitter page.”

Yesterday, @TheLEGOMoviesUK retweeted from @DIYFilms “Don’t forget to head down to Observation Point at Southbank tomorrow to see #TheLEGOMovie2 stars Chris Pratt & Tiffany Haddish open a special pop up coffee shop – The Coffee Chain – at 9am. Check @TheLEGOMoviesUK for updates.”

UNICEF staff were available throughout the morning to collect donations for the charity. They carried buckets along the queue between 8.00am and 9.00am collecting donations, then also collected donations as the public collected their filter coffee.

A member of staff wearing a Warner Bros. lanyard was asked whether the many disappointed people, some of who had queued for hours in temperatures that felt freezing, could be offered any kind of freebie or giveaway. The response was that there will be spot prizes and giveaways starting at 10.00am, as at that time each coffee cup would feature a sticker, revealing a prize. When asked whether some of the stickers could be distributed now to the fans who had queued at the advertised 9.00am time, the answer was a definitive “no”.

Multiple members of the public who had arrived ahead of the promoted 9.00am start time had taken time away from work or education to attend the opening hoping to meet the stars.

The LEGO Movie 2 themed coffee shop will be open for the rest of Friday, February 1 and on Saturday, February 2 at London’s South Bank.

The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part will be released on February 8, 2019.

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