Lego Star Wars Rebels sets partly taking over?

[James Wellington]

Hello all. Now the last of the Clone Wars sets and characters are dying off since the series was cancelled a while back, and I when I go to the Lego Store, I see a bunch of Star Wars Rebels sets. We've all seen them. "The Ghost", The Wookie Gunship, TIE Advanced Prototype, AT-DP, etc. I find that they are taking up lots of the Star Wars sets, especially the Summer 2015 sets. Assuming they have the same number of sets as Winter, or a little bit more/less, so far only 4 sets are the 6 movies (not counting the advent calendar), and 2 of those are from Episode 1. It is said that the rest may be Star Wars Rebels. Now, maybe we just don't have enough information on the Summer 2015 sets, and maybe it's just my opinion that they're "partly taking over", don't get me wrong, it will defiantly never take over, but what I'm saying is that I see a lot more SW Rebels sets on the shelves. And I feel that SW Rebels is quite a kid's show, which is great, but I felt it wasn't nearly as good as the Clone Wars, and makes most of it's characters, and especially the Empire look like fools. I don't like most of the SW Rebels Characters, but everyone has their own opinion. I've been buying the sets lately for the Imperials (even though I don't like "the inquisitor", and their Stormtroopers look a bit strange). I'm honestly quite sad that the Clone Wars was succeeded by Rebels, because SW The Clone Wars could be viewed by all, and I feel that Rebels is really aimed at young children. And that's great, getting some kids into Star Wars at young ages, but it may not be the best thing for the older Star Wars, and Lego Star Wars fans. But finally I feel that Lego Star Wars has really shifted (and is still shifting) from the original three, and even the newer ones, to series like Rebels. And that makes me a little bit sad. I mean, Star Wars Rebels won't last forever, and will loose most of the attention when Episode 7 and Episode 7 sets come out in 2016, but Star Wars and Lego Star Wars is now changing. Maybe it's just me, and that I want to see more Original Trilogy sets. Maybe I'm just overreacting ? I want to hear what you guys have to say about this.

*Note* Please do not get me wrong, I'm exited for some of the new Rebels sets, and Imperials, I just feel they're taking up the shelves a bit.

Thanks for reading, please tell me what you think about this.

Edited February 8, 2015 by James Wellington

[rollermonkey]

You are overreacting.

I've talked about this before, with numbers and statistics, etc.

Star Wars, from about day two, has always been for kids. Even the original trilogy. The amount of money made from the toys is staggering. It's more than the GDP of some countries.

You say that you like TCW better? Well, don't forget, that started out pretty weak, too.

Rebels is a CURRENT Star Wars property, and thus will get the lion's share of the toy production across all manufacturers. Your nostalgia for whichever generation of SW properties is irrelevant. I'm old enough that I saw SW in the theater during the original release as a kid, so I get the desire for stuff from those movies, but to make NEW Star Wars fans, toys lines from the current shows or movies must be at the forefront. Us 1st or even 2nd-gen SW fans won't be here forever, but if they keep making films and shows in-universe, there will be fans long after we're gone.

[James Wellington]

You are overreacting.

I've talked about this before, with numbers and statistics, etc.

Star Wars, from about day two, has always been for kids. Even the original trilogy. The amount of money made from the toys is staggering. It's more than the GDP of some countries.

You say that you like TCW better? Well, don't forget, that started out pretty weak, too.

Rebels is a CURRENT Star Wars property, and thus will get the lion's share of the toy production across all manufacturers. Your nostalgia for whichever generation of SW properties is irrelevant. I'm old enough that I saw SW in the theater during the original release as a kid, so I get the desire for stuff from those movies, but to make NEW Star Wars fans, toys lines from the current shows or movies must be at the forefront. Us 1st or even 2nd-gen SW fans won't be here forever, but if they keep making films and shows in-universe, there will be fans long after we're gone.

You make a very fair point. Perhaps I was overreacting a bit, but I would like to see some more Original Trilogy sets out there. I'm glad that Rebels can collect some new Star Wars, and Lego Star Wars fans at that. I actually like the ships, most Imperials, some of the Rebel Characters, etc. I look forward for the Imperial Assault Carrier to come out in Summer 2015, probably the first of second set I'll be getting in fact.

[rollermonkey]

ANH came out in 1977. The fact that we get ANY sets at all from a movie that far back is staggering.

I mean, when was the last time you saw NEW toys from Pete's Dragon, The Rescuers (original) or Herbie (goes to Monte Carlo)? Those all came out that year, too.

I take what we get and am happy for it. I also watch Rebels with my 5 year old... And the OT, too.

Edited February 8, 2015 by rollermonkey

[Darth Malgus]

I don't feel that CW could be viewed by all, I have kids who have grown up through both and I definitely feel Rebels is far more kid friendly than CW. Se of the episodes in CW were quite dark. Slavery, oppression, kidnapping, murder, betrayal, potential genocide were some of the themes on CW, it became a more mature cartoon as it evolved and got quite dark out of necessity.

Rebels has more adventure a compassion and humour about it that CW never had.

Rebels sets will peter out pf the coming years, its just the way the get a bigger audience. Personally I like the sets, they have an almost OT feel to them.

[James Wellington]

Perhaps they are a lot more kid friendly, and even a lot more happy. I do like their Empire sets, just not some of the other sets and characters.

[Inzane]

As ironic as it may sound being an AFOL and primarily OT based fan, I'm actually glad when a big chunk of the lineup tends to be based on PT, CW, EU, Rebels etc, because..... That gives my wallet a huge break. When I see these sets come out I breath a sigh of relief because I know they are definite passes for me, and I can largely ignore them (with a few exceptions here or there).

I gave up trying to be an all things lego sw completionist years ago. The big turning point for me was the 2008 line up.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Inzane

[Sinthoras]

As far as I can see from set listings for 2015 there are going to be about 40 Star Wars sets this year. And only 6 of them are from Star Wars Rebels. So I don't really see your point.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Sinthoras

[Kodan Black]

Rebels is the current tv show, there is no current movie. So of course they wish to promote the most relevant property. Later this year TFA sets come out to coincide with the movie and Rebels only has another season or two before it is replaced by a new show. Then it will be a new movie each year for the foreseeable future. You'll likely see some OT sets forever, but the main focus will always be on the most relevant tv/movies. Fans of Rebels will be lamenting the lack of sets soon enough as that series is replaced.

[James Wellington]

You all make fair points, perhaps I was overreacting a bit by starting this topic, but I sort of wanted to see what the other Lego Star Wars fans thought of this. "Partly raking over" perhaps was not the best phrase to use. I even somewhat like Rebels (bringing a better selection of Imperials, vehicles and minifigures). Maybe it was just that I wanted a few more OT sets.

Edited February 8, 2015 by James Wellington

[BrickBob Studpants]

Nah, Rebels definitely isn't "taking over" Out of the summer sets, only one is based on Rebels whereas TCW took all slots back when it first aired in 2008. Even the current winter wave had a lot of non-Rebels sets, a lot of which seemed to be ideas they needed to put out before the new movies hit theaters starting with TFA. The focus will definitely shift in that direction in the foreseeable future

[James Wellington]

Nah, Rebels definitely isn't "taking over" Out of the summer sets, only one is based on Rebels whereas TCW took all slots back when it first aired in 2008. Even the current winter wave had a lot of non-Rebels sets, a lot of which seemed to be ideas they needed to put out before the new movies hit theaters starting with TFA. The focus will definitely shift in that direction in the foreseeable future

Alright, glad to hear, I guess.

[Bycougars]

As of right now there are 2 episode I sets, 2 episode VI sets, and 1 rebels set being released in June of this year. The rumor is that there are going to be seven episode VII sets being released in September this year as well as six constructible minifigures based off of episodes I-VI. So as of now it looks like there will be one rebels set in future releases. I am sure we will see rebels sets scattered hear and there over the next year or so, but I think the majority will be based on the new movies. As for sets based off episodes I-VI I have a feeling that those sets will be fewer in number than they have been in recent years.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Bycougars

[James Wellington]

As of right now there are 2 episode I sets, 2 episode VI sets, and 1 rebels set being released in June of this year. The rumor is that there are going to be seven episode VII sets being released in September this year as well as six constructible minifigures based off of episodes I-VI. So as of now it looks like there will be one rebels set in future releases. I am sure we will see rebels sets scattered hear and there over the next year or so, but I think the majority will be based on the new movies. As for sets based off episodes I-VI I have a feeling that those sets will be fewer in number than they have been in recent years.

Oh? I was not aware that there would be ANY Episode 7 sets this year. And some possibly in September? Now I'm VERY excited. And, I really want the Imperial Assault Carrier, too, and that Shuttle Tydirium, Flash Speeder, and now Episode 7 sets? My wallet's going to be empty by the end of this

[rollermonkey]

That Imperial Assault Carrier, wait for it... Is a Rebels set.

And it looks fantastic. :)

[James Wellington]

Yep, can't wait to get it!

[Navy Trooper Fenson]

And I feel that SW Rebels is quite a kid's show, which is great, but I felt it wasn't nearly as good as the Clone Wars, and makes most of it's characters, and especially the Empire look like fools. I don't like most of the SW Rebels Characters, but everyone has their own opinion.

And that's great, getting some kids into Star Wars at young ages, but it may not be the best thing for the older Star Wars, and Lego Star Wars fans.

But finally I feel that Lego Star Wars has really shifted (and is still shifting) from the original three, and even the newer ones, to series like Rebels. And that makes me a little bit sad. I mean, Star Wars Rebels won't last forever, and will loose most of the attention when Episode 7 and Episode 7 sets come out in 2016, but Star Wars and Lego Star Wars is now changing. Maybe it's just me, and that I want to see more Original Trilogy sets.

I think Filoni and whoever else did TCW and does Rebels are just bad at pacing and introducing their characters and when the season has ended or maybe during the next season the show becomes a bit more in line with our taste. TCW didn´t exactly have the best start either, first season was pretty much without any real happenings and the first four or five episodes produced (the movie and R2 lost in battle arc) are downright the worst things I have ever seen.

I doubt children are getting into Star Wars easier or better through Rebels or TCW, the qualities children care about are pretty much served regardless of what Star Wars media they watch except the Ewok movies, Ewok show and Droids cartoon. If anything Rebels is worse for children as it has less of a budget which leads to less flashy action sequences and in all a more boring show than TCW.

If anything I am frightened about the effect the entire new movie line would have on Legos line up. I still want some OT, PT and actually also some TCW sets. With yearly movies and a show at any given time there has to be a decline in past movies sets. Especially when Disney will release more and more stuff every year like how Marvel is planning on releasing three movies and now has 4 shows on tv. I wonder how Lego will cope with that. Right now it looks like the shows will just take some slots of the old merch and the new movies get a special third wave separate from the regular January/August stuff with maybe some sets extra like battlepacks in the traditional January/August waves. That seems like a good deal to me. And I don´t know if it´s just because 2014/15 are still some kind of a transition time between the old Lucasfilm plan of the ROTS/AOTC 3D rerelease and the new movie release but TCW related Senate Commando BPs, EU related Shadow Trooper BPs and even a 2003 Clone Wars microseries Azure Angel set all look like a sign that Disney is less strict than the old Lucasfilm with having Lego produce more current merch so maybe this change actually gave us a better chance on getting more interesting and varied sets based on all aspects of the EU and movies while the olds Lucasfilm in these situations liked to completely disregard old stuff with for example 2005, the year of ROTS with only three OT releases and the summer of 2008 that would have been without any OT sets had there not been the Death Star playset.

ANH came out in 1977. The fact that we get ANY sets at all from a movie that far back is staggering.

I mean, when was the last time you saw NEW toys from Pete's Dragon, The Rescuers (original) or Herbie (goes to Monte Carlo)? Those all came out that year, too.

I take what we get and am happy for it. I also watch Rebels with my 5 year old... And the OT, too.

I suppose that had more to do with these movies being far less popular and having nearly no merchandise to begin with.

[Darth Mallet]

Perhaps they are a lot more kid friendly, and even a lot more happy. I do like their Empire sets, just not some of the other sets and characters.

You must be able to see the similarities between the Rebels characters and the OT character. Ezra = Luke, Zeb = Chewie, Kanan = Obi Wan/Han solo, Hera = Leia. Ghost = Falcon. Rebels for me is a fresh new cartoon version of the original film and it's my betting that if you were watching rebels at the same age you first watched A new hope then you would love it and it's characters.

Star Wars is first and foremost for kids, otherwise Han Solo being the kind of guy he is would use a lot more choice language etc.

I am more than happy to get new Star Wars things and Rebels is a nice head nod to the OT with the music, look and feel

[eightbit]

I will be 40 years old in June. I grew up with the original movies. I didn't see A New Hope in theatres simply because I was too young, but did see ESB and ROTJ in theatres. And collected the Kenner toys as a kid of course. As you can imagine, the original stuff has the most impact for me when it comes to my Lego purchases. However, I also welcome new stuff. My kids watch Rebels and I am watching it too. It's pretty cool in my opinion, and especially cool that Star Wars carries on in another form...bringing todays kids new cool stuff. I always look for Lego sets that follow my childhood and I am really REALLY grateful that Lego remembers us and continues to release sets that follow the original films, even if there aren't as many released as new stuff.. I welcome new Rebels stuff. A little for myself....but more for my kids. It is all good in other words :)

Edited February 22, 2015 by eightbit

[woodnman412]

I predict we will see another Tantive IV, Tie Bomber, rebel ship lineup, etc... Hell, we got a Skyhopper. I'm just glad I got most of TCW sets, prolly won't see a lot of those again.

[rollermonkey]

I suppose that had more to do with these movies being far less popular and having nearly no merchandise to begin with.

I have no idea how much or how little merchandise they had, but I had Pete's Dragon and Herbie merch as a kid. The catch is that all three are Disney properties, so they are automatically comparable, as aside from Lucas, nobody was marketing toys based on licensed properties to kids as much as the House of Mouse was... And yet all that stuff died and SW movies and toys never did... The point stands that the simple fact that we get ANY original trilogy merchandise is highly unusual in the field of licensed toys.

Edited February 22, 2015 by rollermonkey