SirBlake Posted July 3, 2015 Posted July 3, 2015 The more that I think about the idea of a story-driven, named character theme that's supported by a TV show, the only way I can see this working out in a non-power Rangers way would be Heroica. There's a decent story line in place from the games, and the various characters have more variety than rainbow Knights. For heroes, there's barbarian, ranger, wizard, druid, rogue, knight.... All of the classic D&D style classes. Mix in the races like an elf ranger, it could have potential. Villains include goblins (which look like fantasy orcs), dark druids, golems, werewolves, vampires and zombies. If I'm being optimistic (and let's face it, I am), as long as there isn't a druid tank or werewolf helicopter, this could work and offer up some nice variety. For example, medieval-looking zombies would be super cool. Quote
CaptainToad Posted July 3, 2015 Posted July 3, 2015 I really wished they would bring back the forestmen - sort of a robin hood style theme - would be awesome - and a variety of villagers/ townsfolks - but lets be realistic: this doesnt seem to happen any time soon I guess Quote
SMC Posted July 3, 2015 Posted July 3, 2015 ^ I would have like to see that too. Not sure Robin Hood means the same to kids today as it did years ago. Quote
Phyre Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 The more that I think about the idea of a story-driven, named character theme that's supported by a TV show, the only way I can see this working out in a non-power Rangers way would be Heroica. There's a decent story line in place from the games, and the various characters have more variety than rainbow Knights. For heroes, there's barbarian, ranger, wizard, druid, rogue, knight.... All of the classic D&D style classes. Mix in the races like an elf ranger, it could have potential. Villains include goblins (which look like fantasy orcs), dark druids, golems, werewolves, vampires and zombies. If I'm being optimistic (and let's face it, I am), as long as there isn't a druid tank or werewolf helicopter, this could work and offer up some nice variety. For example, medieval-looking zombies would be super cool. Agree with you 100% on this. I've been wanting a minifig-scale Heroica theme for a while now. All the pieces are already in place from the games, and they could really do a lot of cool stuff with it. Sadly I don't see it happening, but who knows? Until we have confirmation that it won't, we can still hope. Quote
CaptainToad Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 ^ I would have like to see that too. Not sure Robin Hood means the same to kids today as it did years ago. I am afraid you are right! I am not sure any of those themes like pirates, cowboys, knights means anything to the kids nowadays, Quote
Artifex Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 ^ I would have like to see that too. Not sure Robin Hood means the same to kids today as it did years ago. Unfortunately, I have to agree with this. Pirates experienced a come back due to Pirates of the Caribbean. But that's pretty much it. When was the last time that happened to cowboys, knights or Robin Hood? And even i it did, scripts are all about grim and gritty these days. Even the last Robin Hood film was anything but merry. I can't remember a Western/Cowboy movie like Young Guns in the past -- what?! -- 20 years? Knights? Pfff... Sorry to come out like this, but I can't stand the grim and gritty times anymore. The Avengers franchise may be the only light in movies these days. Even Superman has an attitude. This is just so NOT kid-friendly. I don't want to sound nostalgic, but I miss the old Errol Flynn/Guy Williams movies and series. Characters were adventurers and they had some joy in what they did, even if they went trough the worse life could throw at them. Quote
Fightingswords Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 I don't believe it will be an ADULT-oriented theme. So I expect lame weapons, lame vehicles, etc. Nevertheless, I expect nice minifigures and useful parts so I'll buy sets for the pieces, not for the way they are intended to come out. Yep not very adult -oriented http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Knights-Castle-10676#dialog Quote
gedren_y Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 That is a Juniors set, and technically not part of the Castle theme. It is targeted at an even younger age bracket. Quote
CaptainToad Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 Unfortunately, I have to agree with this. Pirates experienced a come back due to Pirates of the Caribbean. But that's pretty much it. When was the last time that happened to cowboys, knights or Robin Hood? And even i it did, scripts are all about grim and gritty these days. Even the last Robin Hood film was anything but merry. I can't remember a Western/Cowboy movie like Young Guns in the past -- what?! -- 20 years? Knights? Pfff... Sorry to come out like this, but I can't stand the grim and gritty times anymore. The Avengers franchise may be the only light in movies these days. Even Superman has an attitude. This is just so NOT kid-friendly. I don't want to sound nostalgic, but I miss the old Errol Flynn/Guy Williams movies and series. Characters were adventurers and they had some joy in what they did, even if they went trough the worse life could throw at them. yeah, thats the trend nowadays. It can be best seen in video games I guess, games with lots of gore, sex and violence and bad attitude are selling millions. I couldnt stand those games anymore, guess thats why I have bought myself a Wii U :) Quote
Flieger Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 Unfortunately, I have to agree with this. Pirates experienced a come back due to Pirates of the Caribbean. But that's pretty much it. When was the last time that happened to cowboys, knights or Robin Hood? And even i it did, scripts are all about grim and gritty these days. Even the last Robin Hood film was anything but merry. I can't remember a Western/Cowboy movie like Young Guns in the past -- what?! -- 20 years? Knights? Pfff... Sorry to come out like this, but I can't stand the grim and gritty times anymore. The Avengers franchise may be the only light in movies these days. Even Superman has an attitude. This is just so NOT kid-friendly. I don't want to sound nostalgic, but I miss the old Errol Flynn/Guy Williams movies and series. Characters were adventurers and they had some joy in what they did, even if they went trough the worse life could throw at them. I am not sure if it is really the lack of new kid-friendly, positive, and romanticizing films and series about the middle ages. Even when I was young and very much into Lego Castle (early-mid 90ies) there was barely any such film made. The First Knight is about the only one I can think of. I mostly got my fascination for knights from books and old films like Ivanhoe and Prince Valiant. Sure the attitude towards the middle ages in films and TV has changed, but I guess it is more important that the kids and their interests have changed. Perhaps these changes are related, though, just not that much. I think - and this may be controversial - the rampant PC and postmodern cynicism has also got something to do with it. Back then, Lego could do CRUSADERS and nobody blinked an eye. These times are gone, which may not be the worst anyway... However I am more annoyed by the cynicism to onedimensionally paint medieval knights as predatory, pretentious warlords, little better than robbers, also as warmongering religious fanatics. Just as an all too romantic view is wrong, this is wrong too. Lastly, I suspects knights have largely been replaced by superheroes, at least in my country where superheroes only became this huge think in the last two decades. I mean... bright colours, flashy symbols, and individuals identified by them. This could be said about knights as well as about superheroes. Quote
SirBlake Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 On the grim & gritty subject: while I agree that every character being angst-filled (see DC comic movies) has gotten old, and that the Marvel cinematic universe is an example of kid friendly adventure that doesn't forget to have fun, every movie studio is leaning towards the middle. It's gotten to the point where the MCU is the template for making gobs of money, so even established R rated adventure series like the Terminator are going PG-13 and failing because of it. I don't know where that leaves castle fans from a pop culture perspective. It seems unlikely that we'll get a light hearted King Arthur or Dragon Slayer type movie anytime soon. Now that I mention that though, both early-80's versions were super grim, so maybe that's not so new. (Excalibur and Dragonslayer) Quote
thetang22 Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 I'd have to say the early childhood influences that led me to like "fantasy" had a lot to do with Disney. When I was a kid, there were lots of fairy tales that had a sense of adventure to them. Even things as simple as Snow White told the tale of good vs evil in a medieval fantasy setting. Those influences still exist today...with newer, popular Disney movies such as Tangled and Frozen. Secondly, video games allowed me to further explore the idea of high fantasy. Playing games like Zelda, Dragon Warrior, and Final Fantasy on the NES had a big influence on my fondness for the subject matter. Lastly, (and this one may seem a bit odd...) growing up with the Star Wars movies had a big influence on me liking fantastical settings and characters...along with sword fights (lightsabers) and magic (the Force). Sure, there were lots of other smaller factors, but the big correlation between all those influences is that they all encouraged a kid to explore their sense of imagination (which is probably the most fundamental quality of Legos). These sorts of influences still exist today. There's just a LOT of other powerful influences out there as well, competing for the attention of today's youth. Quote
fred67 Posted July 4, 2015 Posted July 4, 2015 Yep not very adult -oriented http://shop.lego.com...le-10676#dialog Actually, while there's nothing really adult about that set, I actually kind of like it... and the knight apparently put someone in the dungeon long enough that all that's left is a skeleton. I don't think "gritty" has anything to do with these sets, since there's really no absolute story that goes with any particular set (there's a sort-of scenario at best, like the Fantasy King's Castle had the skeleton guy attacking on the dragon). I will say this - after LEGO LOTR, I wouldn't put anything past TLG. I'd long defended LOTR as a possibility (in that there was more mature, or at least just as mature, material that TLG had made into sets), but I never thought they'd ever actually do it, even with The Hobbit looming on the horizon. After that, nothing really would surprise me. Quote
BrickJagger Posted July 6, 2015 Author Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) Actually, while there's nothing really adult about that set, I actually kind of like it... and the knight apparently put someone in the dungeon long enough that all that's left is a skeleton. I find it funny how they have happy jesters and princesses in the regular Castle line and then have rotting skeletons in a line targeted at five year olds. Regarding this line, ( Which isn't going to be known as "Castle"), prepare your wallets....... Edited July 6, 2015 by BrickJagger Quote
SirBlake Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) Let me guess... Castlego, Knights of Spinjoust! Edited July 6, 2015 by SirBlake Quote
Umbra-Manis Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Let me guess... Castlego, Knights of Spinjoust! Nah... It'll be more like Legends of Castlima. Quote
General Magma Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Nah... It'll be more like Legends of Castlima. Or perhaps Chima's Galidor Ninjago Friends Castle Kingdom II? Quote
Umbra-Manis Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Or perhaps Chima's Galidor Ninjago Friends Castle Kingdom II? The first 2 are already enough to kill that monstrosity with fire. I wouldn't mind having some ninjago influences though. Quote
Blakstone Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Most of the Castle lines did not have a banner. They only said System or LEGOLAND. The excepts are: Castle, Kingdoms, and Knights' Kingdom. The series that fans can Fantasy said Castle on the box. It seems doubtful to me that LEGO would create a Fantasy banner if this line does return to the fantasy style as Brickjagger has indicated. That is unless there is a TV show whose title they will use. How about Herorica, Heroes of the Kingdom? Quote
BrickJagger Posted July 6, 2015 Author Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) It's not quite a return to fantasy, more like Chima and Ninjago than anything else. I thought that my post made it pretty clear that I know the name of the new theme, and it isn't "Castle". (Can't share it, but I could tell you that). That is unless there is a TV show whose title they will use. You're onto something here.... EDIT: Just noticed that the Castle site on Lego.com is still up, and the message boards haven't had any announcements of the Castle board's end. I think that they're just waiting to re-brand the boards in January instead of starting over. Edited July 6, 2015 by BrickJagger Quote
Robert8 Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Chima and Ninjago You can't be serious.... So, the Castle 2016 theme will be also the rumored new action theme for 2016? Edited July 7, 2015 by Robert8 Quote
Master_Data Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 It's not quite a return to fantasy, more like Chima and Ninjago than anything else. I've suspected that for a while. If it's like Ninjago, , but if it's like Chima, . Could it possibly be more similar to KKII? Quote
BrickJagger Posted July 7, 2015 Author Posted July 7, 2015 I've suspected that for a while. If it's like Ninjago, , but if it's like Chima, . Could it possibly be more similar to KKII? KK2 to the extreme, if you get what I mean. I know this for a fact. It's more like Ninjago than Chima by my estimation, but those two themes are sorta similar already. Quote
Regenerate builder Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Brickjagger, if what you are saying about the new theme not being fantasy or even castle is true....this could be a low point and sad time in Lego history. My heart sunk when I read your post. I have nothing better to do than lament over lotr and hobbit ending and bemoan the future history related theme (if it indeed is not even "castle"). A mix of Chima and Ninjago that is reminiscent of KKII, not quite fantasy, and doesn't really fit into castle sounds like a nightmare. I hope I'm having a gross misunderstanding about what Brickjagger means when saying KKII to the extreme. I suppose there is a chance that mix could be neat but...is it possible that if you combine the elements that are considered weird and disliked by many, that the result will be a desirable product to most Lego castle fans? I kind of doubt it. Edited July 7, 2015 by Regenerate builder Quote
Wodanis Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 KK2 to the extreme, if you get what I mean. I know this for a fact. It's more like Ninjago than Chima by my estimation, but those two themes are sorta similar already. I hope it's more about the type of siege engines from the series and not another band of four Knights/ninjas like Ninjago. I will have to see it to believe it. Not every idea from TLGs dark age was a good one...if any. Maybe we will be shown something at Comic-Con? Quote
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