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| “ | Only the toughest can get out of there alive! | „ |
| ~ Rex's most famous quote. |
| “ | Emmet: What have we done? Rex: It's called "growing up". Isn't that what you wanted? Emmet: No! I wanna save my friends. Rex: You don't have friends! They're just pieces of plastic! [chuckles] You still want to go back to the Matrix when you know the truth? Emmet: What's the Matrix? Rex: It's a movie only cool, older, mature dudes like us have seen. It's time to put away childish things. Emmet: No! My friends may not be real to you, but they're real to me, and they're my family. I won't give up on them. Rex: [Stares menacingly at Emmet] I am so disappointed in myself, I guess you're gonna have to become me the Hard Way. |
„ |
| ~ Rex to Emmet after the former refuses to give in to Rex's ways after he manipulated Emmet from the beginning. |
Radical Emmet Xtreme Machete Ninja Star Dangervest, more simply known as Rex Dangervest and formerly known as Emmett Joseph Brickowski is the main antagonist of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation's 6th full-length feature film The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part.
He is a galaxy-defending archaeologist, cowboy, and raptor trainer who firstly appears to be a benevolent ally, but then he is later revealed to be a futuristic older counterpart of Emmet Brickowski from a future timeline. His true intention is to bring the "Armamageddon" upon all of Apocalypseburg, Systar System and his friends as revenge for being abandoned, treated horribly and forgotten, to make them all suffer like he did. He is also the former friend and now the archenemy of Emmet Brickowski and Wyldstyle.
Just like his original counterpart, he was voiced by Chris Pratt, who also played Grant Cutler in The Kid. In the video game adaption and a few promotional materials, he was voiced by A.J. LoCascio.
Appearance[]
Rex's jetpack suit.
Rex Dangervest has stubble dots on his face and has similar construction worker vests and patterns compared to Emmet Brickowski but in different colors.
Emmet's vest is bright orange and very light grey, while Rex's is earth blue and dark stone grey and has a light green R on his vest. They both have blue undershirts (Emmet's is brighter and Rex's is darker) and share the same quiff in their hair.
Rex wears dark blue gloves and wristbands. They both also have brown hair, but Rex's is less combed and darker than Emmets. He has a chiseled jawline. He is also seen in a blue/green spacesuit with a grey Jet-pack on his back when he saved Emmet from a huge asteroid.
Personality[]
| “ | Emmet: You tricked me into hurting my friends? Rex: I didn't trick you. I taught you to harden your heart, just like you asked me to. |
„ |
| ~ Rex revealing his true nature to Emmet after manipulating him against his friends and starting "armamageddon". |
Rex at first seems like a genuine hero albeit extremely cocky & somewhat violent and distrusting. However, this is all a facade to hide who he really is. In reality, he is shown to be a arrogant, spiteful, vindictive, manipulative, and outright nihilistic individual with a hatred towards all denizens in Apocalypseburg & the Systar System, especially those who used to be his friends, for abandoning and forgetting about him & in his rants that views everything that's in the LEGO world isn't real and views his old friends as "pieces of plastic."
Towards the end of the film Rex attempts to kill Emmet despite knowing fully well that if he kills Emmet, than he is erased from existence, proving he doesn't care for his own well-being as long as it means he succeeds in his plans.
Despite all this, Rex is not completely heartless, as he was in complete shock and even seemed saddened from seeing Lucy rescue Emmet, implying being abandoned by his friends still affected him and he may have even still loved Lucy despite how vengeful he was against her.
He also seems to love his raptors as he's shown to be friendly to them, and called out their names in a saddened when they were captured by the Plantimals and became horrified when they were dancing to the Systar System's music, and after he's defeated he accepts his fate & thanks Lucy for saving Emmet and wished the latter wouldn't end up like him.
Biography[]
Beginning[]
While he was still Emmet Brickowski on a mission to save his friends, Rex crashed his spaceship into a glassteroid field and wound up under a clothes dryer (or Undar of the Dryar System) in the real world.
After seeing all his friends continue to go on after his supposed death, Emmet became filled with hate and grew resentful towards them by trusting in only himself, changed his clothes and name, and built a time machine so he could travel back in time and ensure the "Armamageddon" occurred.
Along the way, he time traveled back to the year 65,000,000 BC to recruit his Raptor crew before traveling back to the present.
Meeting Emmet[]
| “ | Rex: And that how you go to the other side of the stairgate. Emmet: Who are you? Rex: The name's Rex! Rex Dangervest. Galaxy defending archaeologist who likes building fernachur and busting heads and having chiselled features previously hidden under baby fat. Emmet: Woah... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! ENEMY SHIP Rex: That's a negative. That baby is my ship. Built it with spare pieces. Let me show you around. Emmet: Hey! You broke my ship. Rex: Listen kid! You can build anything, but there ain't nothing you can't break. Emmet: I don't get it. Rex: How about a tour? |
„ |
| ~ Rex after rescuing Emmet from the glassteroids and destroying Emmet's ship. |
Rex about to introduce himself after meeting Emmet.
Rex saved Emmet as he was about to crash into the same glassteroid field and teamed up with his past self to venture to the Systar System and save his friends from the DUPLO Aliens. As they continue to the Systar System with some of his raptor buddies, Emmet begins to take on several of Rex's mannerisms, hoping to impress Lucy.
When they arrive, they evade capture by Wa'Nabi's forces by swamp creatures and "brainwashed" of most of the people by singing "Catchy Song". Once they escape for the DUPLO Brickyard, Emmet is reunited with Lucy and they embrace, but not so much when she meets Rex. Rex tells Emmet that he has managed to have his abilities and force by making him tough.
Despite Emmet's joy of this by impressing her, Lucy is sort of disappointed by this. They make up a plan which involves switching off the pop music that is brainwashing the others, while Emmet will destroy the reception cake encased in a temple to stop the wedding between Batman and Wa'Nabi.
However, Rex and Emmet are shocked when Lucy reveals her original hair to them, and she affirms she is not brainwashed. Despite Rex's warnings, Emmet believes she is the real Lucy because he trusts her, and she helps them to the plan but Emmet started to choose what he said or not to believe her or to believe her, making her feel rejected, all so Emmet can do what Rex told him to do. Rex and Emmet then get ready when the clock finally reached 5:00pm.
Rex was now stalking at everyone in the wedding and with Emmet on his side, after Emmet failed to call Lucy while she was fighting Sweet Mayhem, much to Rex's relief. Rex then troubles Emmet by lying that Lucy rejected him as they walk upside down and on the side of the reception cake like floating building and looks at his friends in which Emmet assumes that they are brainwashed.
Which in case when the film progresses near to the end, what Rex said will all become a lie when Lucy learns that the Systar System didn't try to attack them, as a result, Lucy knew that Rex Dangervest is too dangerous and is truly is going to attack and make everyone suffer, due to Lucy trying to make Emmet snap out of it, but Rex decides to make it worse.
Armamageddon[]
| “ | Rex: Stubble Trouble, this is Alpha Wolf-Bro Dog. I'm almost in Rextraction position. What's the color on the ground? Emmet: Fuchsia. Rex, I see Lucy. But she isn't taking down the shields. Rex: You don't need Lucy. You don't need anyone. If you focus, you can make a punch so powerful, you'll take it down, shields and all. You've got the power inside you. Emmet: I can do this! (2x) I can't not do this! |
„ |
| ~ Rex Dangervest as he prepares to cause Armamageddon |
| “ | Emmet: Rex! Why are we leaving? We've got to save my friends. Rex: Do we? They didn't come to save us when we were all alone. Emmet: What are you talking about? Who are you? Rex: Look a little closer. we are not so different. Emmet: What? You and I? Rex: We and us. Emmet: Huh? Rex: Emmet, I'm you. Emmet: But I'm me! Rex: I'm you from the future all grown up. Emmet: Wait! If you're me, why do we sound so different? Rex: (copying Emmet's words with his true voice revealing that he is Emmet from the future) Why do we sound so different? (Changes back to his usual voice) It's a mind blower, I know. That's why I was so cagey in telling you my backstory Emmet: Actually, you kept bringing it up— Rex: There I was! You, in that little house ship trying to make it through the Stairgate. There was no handsome older version of myself to save me. No one heard me... No one came for me. I was left behind, forgotten, while the rest of my so-called friends danced and sang at the hands of a "monster". What could I have done to avoid such a fate? I was alone, with nothing, but... anger! But anger was the key to my freedom. It was time for me to take a stand. I was real. I was no longer the naive Emmet I used to be. I got myself a new vest, a new head of hair, and a petulant attitude towards everything that's lame. I gave myself a makeover and became Rex! Radical Emmet Xtreme! I was all grown up... but I still wasn't free. I knew the only way to move past it was to make sure it never happened in the first place. And then I saw a way to undo all the unbearable pain I experienced in one convoluted move. They call it "time travel"! Sorry Doc, I'm gonna need your DeLorean. And Bill, Ted, your phone booth. Doctor Who's TARDIS, H.G. Wells' bicycle thing, whatever Skynet's been using, and this hot tub! I built a time-travelling spaceship and blasted it into the past! I picked up a crew. Then I traveled to the moment right before I was thrown... into the cold dark truth of the world. And I found the one person I wanted to protect... me. Emmet: I was following everything except for everything after the part when you said "I'm you". Rex: The fir... Literally the first thing I've said? This time travel thing is always kinda confusing. It's best just to go with it, Emmet: You tricked me into hurting my friends. Rex: I didn't trick you. I taught you to harden your heart, just like you asked me to. Emmet: What did you make me do? What exactly is Armamageddon? |
„ |
| ~ Rex explains his backstory as his true form of Emmet from the future, his true intentions and what he has done. |
Armamageddon, as a result of Rex's manipulation.
Before Emmet could follow with the plan, Rex gives him his vest, and Emmet thanks him for helping him, without knowing yet his true intentions. Despite Lucy's warning after she knows the real intentions of the DUPLO people, Emmet refused to listen. Up to this point, he destroys the reception cake at the wedding between Batman and the Queen of the DUPLO Aliens, Watevra Wa'Nabi.
However, upon seeing everyone crying from sadness, Emmet, to his horror, soon realizes what he has done after learning that the DUPLO Aliens only wanted peace between themselves and Bricksburg while a black hole in the LEGO universe appears in the wake of the cake's destruction.
The wedding cake being destroyed is mirrored in the real world by Finn, who, during a fight with his sister, angrily destroys her LEGO creations, which forced their mother to put away their LEGOs. While the children bitterly did so, meanwhile, back in the LEGO universe, the world begins falling apart and all of the LEGO characters, including Batman, Wa'Nabi, and several known others are sucked into the huge black square-shaped bottomless hole, with the exceptions of Emmet and Rex, who fled during the chaos.
After Finn and Bianca put away their LEGOs in a storage bin, Emmet tries to stop them but is prevented by Rex who revealing his true colors and identity as Emmet's future self and that he traveled back in time to ensure Armamageddon would happen.
Final Battle[]
| “ | Rex: I can't Emmet: What do you mean? Rex: She came back for ya. You're never going to turn out like me, which means... I'm never going to exist. Emmet: Wait! Wait, no! Rex: (his arm fades) Haha! Look, I knew it! Look, I'm back to the futuring! Totally called it. Emmet: What's back to the futuring? Rex: It's a classic movie older kids get to watch. (his leg fades) And now, it's happening to me. Emmet: Come on! Take my hand while you still have a hand to take! Rex: That ain't how it works, kid. Emmet: Rex... Rex: It's okay. I'm proud of you. And you're gonna grow up to be better than me... but kinda thanks to me, so, I'm also great. And Lucy, thanks for coming back for us. Besides, this is a pretty righteous way to go out, no regrets! Except again not trademarking "No regrets", that was a mistake, one love! |
„ |
| ~ Rex refuses to join for his existence, and accepts his fate as he fades limb by limb from existence. |
Emmet and his embittered future self begin to fight and too scared to see Emmet change, Rex, out of his own paranoia, banishes Emmet to the clothes dryer with his ship's big slingshot so that Emmet will continue to exist as an attempt to avoid being erased and so he could mentally break Emmet into becoming Rex, which would allow the other Rex to survive time travelling.
However, Emmet is determined to not become as Rex did, Rex refuses because of his life and telling Emmet that he wants his goals to be perfect so that he would not risking his life by dangerously time travelling.
However, as he was about to break and murderously kill him mentally and violently, Emmet is returned into the LEGO world when Lucy, having rallied the other LEGO characters into successfully escaping from the storage bin, arrives in front of Rex and they both embrace.
Despite being amazed for the fact that Lucy came back for Emmet, Rex thinks they are too late and attempts to go back in time and repeat the same events, but Lucy manages to trick Rex into punching a cute sentient heart, triggering an explosion, destroying the piece that is part of his time machine and Rex topples in defeat on how dead he is as he now reaches the end of his life.
Lucy then tells Rex that Emmet will not become as Rex did, all the bad things and hurting lots and lots to people in the realm, but Rex can be like Emmet as they ask him to join them, but Rex denies since he realizes that Emmet being saved by Lucy means he didn't end up becoming what Rex did which means his life had reached the end since the past has changed and Emmet is rescued. This would also mean that Rex's time is up. As his timeline is slowly being erased altogether, Rex started fading from existence limb by limb.
As more of his body fades away, Rex, accepting his fate, tells Emmet to always be upbeat before thanking Lucy for saving both of them as his whole body disappears, leaving Rex with only his now-disembodied head. After saying his last words: "Besides, this is a pretty righteous way to go out, no regrets! Except again not trademarking "No regrets", that was a mistake, one love!" Rex completely fades from existence as his head disappears, much to Emmet and Lucy's horror after watching Rex vanishing like this.
After the film, Rex's ultimate fate is unknown. Although he may have "died" in the narrative of the LEGO Universe, it must be taken into account that Rex's motivations were all just a figment of Finn's imagination, which mirrored his real-life altercations with his sister.
His existence as a physical LEGO mini-figure is likely still intact in the human world, as the rate of decay when he died in the LEGO universe was greatly over-exaggerated.
It is possible that Finn has dismantled this Rex Dangervest figurine in the human realm, whereas in the LEGO realm, Rex suddenly vanished into thin air and killed after time travelling in where this cost his life.
Quotes[]
| “ | THIS IS THE END!!! | „ |
| ~ Rex's chronologically first words as Emmet before crashing under the dryer. |
| “ | You mind if I save your life? | „ |
| ~ Rex meets his past self. |
| “ | The name's Rex. Rex Dangervest! Galaxy defending archaeologist, cowboy and raptor trainer! Who likes building furniture, busting heads and having chiseled features previously hidden under baby fat! | „ |
| ~ Rex Dangervest as he reveals himself. |
| “ | There I was, on a galactic mission. Ended up being more than I'd bargained for. I landed in the desolate plains of the dust planet Undar of the Dryar System. The winds were ferocious. The isolation, intense. I waited for my friends. Seemed to last forever. That's when I learned... There was no one I could trust but me. | „ |
| ~ Rex's supposed backstory and him foreshadowing who he really is. |
| “ | Rex: You don't wanna go anywhere near the Systar System, trust me. It's ruled by an alien queen, and she'll try to brainwash your friends, so she could use them in a matrimonial ceremony to bring forth (Emmet interrupts Rex) Emmet: Armamageddon. Rex: Bingo. |
„ |
| ~ Rex Dangervest's warning. |
| “ | I invented the quote, 'No regrets.' I do have one regret, for not trademarking it. | „ |
| ~ Rex's only regret. |
| “ | No regrets! | „ |
| ~ Rex Dangervest's invented quote. |
| “ | I'm a master breaker! | „ |
| ~ Rex Dangervest. |
| “ | I'm Rex Dangervest. Social Media Influencer, First Baseman, Man of the Soil, Script Doctor! And my middle name's Machete Ninjastar, so I know tough. And Emmet's one tough cookie. He's a cookie so tough and hard, you can't even chew it, 'cause it turns out it's not a cookie, it's a chainsaw. | „ |
| ~ Rex's introduction to Lucy. |
| “ | Rex: Stubble Trouble, this is Alpha Wolf-Bro Dog. I'm almost in Rextraction position. What's the color on the ground? Emmet: Fuchsia. Rex, I see Lucy. But she isn't taking down the shields. Rex: You don't need Lucy. You don't need anyone. If you focus, you can make a punch so powerful, you'll take it down, shields and all. You've got the power inside you. |
„ |
| ~ Rex Dangervest |
| “ | Emmet... I'm you. | „ |
| ~ Rex tells the truth about his identity to Emmet. |
| “ | Ain't something a couple of years in Undar of the Dryar System won't fix. | „ |
| ~ Rex as he betrays Emmet. |
| “ | Rex:I tried to break your spirit, but now, I'm going to have to break you! Chi-cha! This is gonna be easy. You're weak. Emmet No. You're the one who's weak. (Emmet standing up to Rex) I'll never grow up to be like you. It's easy to harden your heart. But to open it, that's the toughest thing you can do. I'm gonna grow up. But I won't stop caring about the people in my life. They may see the world differently, but that's not bad. I think it's inspiring. |
„ |
| ~ Rex reveals his true colors to Emmet before Emmet stands up to him. |
| “ | Rex: That's a really cute speech, Emmet, but action speaks louder than words. Emmet: Yes, they do. |
„ |
| ~ Rex mocking Emmet before Emmet prepares to fight him |
| “ | Emmet: My friends are coming to rescue me and you can't stop them. Rex: Raptors, to the Rex-Wing fighters. Don't let them near the Dryar System. |
„ |
| ~ Emmet as he fights Rex while Rex orders the Raptors to destroy his friends. |
| “ | Rex: This isn't even happening. It's all just the expression of the death of imagination in the subconscious of an adolescent. Emmet: I don't understand what you're saying! Rex: Don't worry. You don't have to. |
„ |
| ~ Rex when he heard that Emmet's friends are coming. |
| “ | Guess your "so-called" friends didn't save you after all! Hahahaha! | „ |
| ~ Rex taunting Emmet. |
| “ | You came back for him?... Well, you're too late! I'm just gonna keep going back in time until I get this thing right! | „ |
| ~ Rex amazed that Lucy came back for Emmet before he tries to go back in time. |
| “ | Haha look, I told you, I knew it! Look! I'm back to the futuring! | „ |
| ~ Rex's reference. |
| “ | Emmet: You don't have to be the bad guy. You can join us. Rex: I can't Emmet: What do you mean? Rex: She came back for ya. You're never going to turn out like me, which means I'm never going to exist. Emmet: Wait! Wait no! Rex: Haha! Look I knew it look I'm back to the futuring! Totally called it. Emmet: What's back to the futuring? Rex: It's a classic movie older kids get to watch. (his leg fades) And now, It's happening to me. Emmet: Come on! Take my hand while you still have a hand to take! Rex: That ain't how it works, Kid. Emmet: Rex... Rex: It's ok. I'm proud of you, you're gonna grow up to be better than me... but kinda thanks to me, so, I'm also great. And Lucy, thanks for coming back for us. Besides, this is a pretty righteous way to go out, no regrets! Except again not trademarking "No regrets", that was a mistake, one love! |
„ |
| ~ Rex's last words before he fades away. |
Trivia[]
- Rex Dangervest is Chris Pratt's first villainous role.
- Rex Dangervest, despite being considered to be one of the most evil villains in The LEGO Movie franchise, mainly due to his lack of regard for human life and shows almost no care for anyone (minus his raptors), is so far the only LEGO Movie villain to have a tragic past and to be a decent boss to his minions, as opposed to the other villains who had arguably more selfish reasons for their villainy and would mistreat their underlings.
- For example, Lord Business was motivated due to him not feeling "special" and was fine with letting his minions die (including Bad Cop despite him being loyal to him), the Joker wanted Batman to see him as his worst enemy and abandoned the criminals of Arkham Asylum to get the help of the Phantom Zone Criminals, and Lord Garmadon wanted to have a good relationship with his wife and son but was already evil before that point in time and was shown to have a somewhat twisted way of showing love to his son and treated his soldiers terribly, and would fire them out of a volcano if they gave him idea's he didn't like or for simple mistakes.
- Rex's occupations are references to past roles that his voice actor Chris Pratt has played in his acting career.
- Archaeologist; a reference to a (false) rumor that Chris Pratt would portray Indiana Jones in a reboot.
- Cowboy; a reference to Joshua Faraday in The Magnificent Seven.
- Galaxy Defender; a reference to Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Additionally, Rex refers to how he has a chiseled jawline hidden under baby fat. This is more likely than not a reference to Chris Pratt's career before his breakthrough in 2014, where he was significantly overweight. He lost this weight while undergoing intense training for his role as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Raptor Trainer; a reference to Owen Grady in the Jurassic World trilogy.
- While explaining his motivations, he claims that he rescued his raptors from a volcano explosion. This is a reference to the first act of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
- Additionally, he also is partially influenced by Pratt's other roles, as Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation, and Scott Hatteberg in Moneyball.
- According to Rex himself, his occupations also include: Social Media Influencer, First Baseman, Man of the Soil and Script Doctor, these were mentioned when he meets Wyldstyle.
- He is the first (and so far the only) villain in The LEGO Movie franchise to ever die, (unless if you count President Business at the end where he gets blown up by fireworks) as far as the LEGO universe narrative is concerned (taking in mind that the film's events regarding Rex's time-travel twist were all in Finn's head). Given what his goals are, Rex is also the darkest villain in the franchise, yet he has redeemable traits, unlike Risky Business.
- Rex is one of the few characters who break the fourth wall and mentions movies like Matrix and Back to the Future before he dies.
- Because Rex is Emmet from the future, his whole name is Radical Emmet Joseph Brickowski Xtreme Machete Ninja Star Dangervest.
- There was some foreshadowing that Rex was Emmet's future self all along:
- Emmet and Rex share similar vest patterns but in different colors (Emmet's in bright orange and very light grey, and Rex's in earth blue and dark stone grey).
- Rex and Emmet don a bright blue undershirt and share the same quiff in their hair.
- Emmet,Rex, and Benny have the same generic black dotted eyes, that were on the old Lego minifigures from the late 70s.
- Emmet and Rex had the same voice talent and/or actor (Chris Pratt).
- Rex's surname "Dangervest" is a reference to the fact that Emmet, who is a complete opposite of him, wears a safety vest.
- Besides his occupations, he also likes building furniture, busting heads, and having chiseled features previously hidden under baby fat. Ironically, he is a Master Breaker, despite claiming that he builds furniture, where Emmet is a Master Builder.
- When Rex and Emmet are being "attacked" by Plantimals in the forest, Rex shouts "Pew!" each time he fires, likely a reference to The LEGO Batman Movie.
- The name of one of Rex's velociraptors (The Other One) may be a reference to "The Big One" from the first Jurassic Park movie, seeing as how they are both velociraptors and their names both start with the words 'The' and end with 'One'.
- All the other raptors have names that reference science-fiction movies. Ripley is named after Ellen Ripley, the heroine in the Alien series and Connor is named after John Connor, the Resistance leader in the Terminator franchise. Rocky and Cobra are named after the protagonists in the respective movies of the same name.
- He stated that his middle name is "Machete Ninja Star".
- If he had ripped Emmet's body apart in their fight, Rex would have also been destroyed anyway.
- Rex made an appearance in a Turkish Airlines Safety Video promoting the film, though he's not a villain there, as he's simply teaching people about airline safety and seemed rather helpful and friendly to the rest of the LEGO Movie cast. Or maybe it was to avoid spoilers.
- One of Rex's raptors said Garfield's iconic quote "I hate Mondays". Ironically, Chris Pratt was cast as Garfield in the 2024 animated film The Garfield Movie.
- Rex's voice is an imitation of actor Kurt Russell, who played Rex's voice actor (Chris Pratt) father in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
- Plus Ego and Rex are similar, as they are villains who are revealed to be enemies of Chris Pratt's character (Rex is Chris Pratt too besides Emmet).
- Rex's Japanese voice actor, Toshiyuki Morikawa, is well known for voicing many anime villains such as Sephiroth, Griffith, Yoshikage Kira, Lord Boros, and Mard Geer Tartaros.
- In his backstory, a toy of a Chevrolet makes a brief appearance. Chris Pratt himself owns a Chevrolet in real life.
External Links[]
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 Villains
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