LEGO Star Wars 2016 Pictures and Rumors

[x105Black]

I'm hoping for Old Luke from the final scene, or a Chrome Phasma (as that is what it should have been from the beginning).

[LordLEGOtube]

I'd love to see the evidence of how promo figures crack or break more than other figures rather than it being anecdotal evidence. I've never had a 'Chinese made' part, be it minifig part or brick, crack or break... in fact I've never had a part crack or break wherever it's made from.

Unfortunately I've only got around 500-700 minifigures and over a hundred or more sets so maybe I don't buy enough Lego to be able to tell.

I've picked up every promo figure from Star Wars and Superheroes to date and never had an issue whether they've been in a polybag, limited release cube, DVD insertion etc...

As far as I know all the parts from polybag minifigures, whether it be a collectable minifigure series figure or a promotional figure, use the Chinese plastic. The distinctive features of this are the fact there is no black or white mark on the neck, and the top of the legs have a square indent rather than just a small dot. While these aren't too noticeable when a figure is fully assembled there are other factors which keep them apart from 'normal' minifigures. Primarily I have noticed that the joints are much looser, be it the arms, hands, legs or neck. The clutch power between the legs and torso is weaker, too.

Another observation I have made, albeit less noticeable to most, is there is a slip in quality of plastic. The plastic used doesn't have the same shiny gloss of standard Lego bricks and feels much softer, and duller. The printing can also be a bit weaker, for example on my clone lieutenant promo minifigure the printing on the helmet was much lower than standard clone trooper helmet printing and the face was very smudged. And finally, as mentioned by Cyberfounder, the discolouration. While there already is a level of slight discolouration in standard minifigures (for example yesterday I noticed that the 'skin' tone of the hands on my Scarlett witch and Rey figures was marginally different), the Chinese plastic minifigures are plagued with this problem, a prime example being the C-3PO polybag from earlier this year: the 'pearl gold' colour on the torso and legs not only wasn't the same as standard C-3PO minifigures but was different than the 'pearl gold' on the head and hand of the same minifigure! And it's not just on mine either, as I have seen from other's minifigures.

Anyway, this has sometimes put me off buying polybag minifigures but I'll still give the May the 4th promo a go, I'm actually hoping for a variant of a character that is unlikely we'll ever get in a set: battle damaged Kylo ren! He would have the scar on his face and maybe scars on his torso. I really can't see him being included in any set but it'll be a good minifigure to have, the only downside is it might be a little 'violent' or 'dark' if it is about a character with injuries, although look at Luke's figure in assault on hoth!

[Robianco]

As far as I know all the parts from polybag minifigures, whether it be a collectable minifigure series figure or a promotional figure, use the Chinese plastic. The distinctive features of this are the fact there is no black or white mark on the neck, and the top of the legs have a square indent rather than just a small dot. While these aren't too noticeable when a figure is fully assembled there are other factors which keep them apart from 'normal' minifigures. Primarily I have noticed that the joints are much looser, be it the arms, hands, legs or neck. The clutch power between the legs and torso is weaker, too.

Another observation I have made, albeit less noticeable to most, is there is a slip in quality of plastic. The plastic used doesn't have the same shiny gloss of standard Lego bricks and feels much softer, and duller. The printing can also be a bit weaker, for example on my clone lieutenant promo minifigure the printing on the helmet was much lower than standard clone trooper helmet printing and the face was very smudged. And finally, as mentioned by Cyberfounder, the discolouration. While there already is a level of slight discolouration in standard minifigures (for example yesterday I noticed that the 'skin' tone of the hands on my Scarlett witch and Rey figures was marginally different), the Chinese plastic minifigures are plagued with this problem, a prime example being the C-3PO polybag from earlier this year: the 'pearl gold' colour on the torso and legs not only wasn't the same as standard C-3PO minifigures but was different than the 'pearl gold' on the head and hand of the same minifigure! And it's not just on mine either, as I have seen from other's minifigures.

Anyway, this has sometimes put me off buying polybag minifigures but I'll still give the May the 4th promo a go, I'm actually hoping for a variant of a character that is unlikely we'll ever get in a set: battle damaged Kylo ren! He would have the scar on his face and maybe scars on his torso. I really can't see him being included in any set but it'll be a good minifigure to have, the only downside is it might be a little 'violent' or 'dark' if it is about a character with injuries, although look at Luke's figure in assault on hoth!

Colour consistency is something that will occur wherever parts are made as, has been mentioned in another thread, that different countries have specific restrictions on sourcing plastic ad dyes from within that country so it's almost to be expected that there would be some level of inconsistency... It happening on one figure across two parts like torso and legs does seem slack with regards to quality control.

That said it still doesn't address the issue raised of things cracking. All of the things above, however slight or seemingly more obvious still don't talk about cracking, something I've never had on anything other than a second hand part, which incidentally wasn't a 'chinese made' part.

I think I've only noticed one arm of a figure being a looser connection (odd how it was one arm and not the other while a second copy of the same figure was fine) but besides that I've never had anything that has been noticeable but then again I'm not interested in testing almost imperceptible tolerances on clutch power if they make no discernible difference to usage.

On your last point I think Lego have made a few those 'scarred' design choices lately including figures from Lone Ranger and the new Hoth Luke.

[ChiefPie]

Just last month I got the resistance troop transport and I was useing ackbar just a little bit and then a couple days later I noticed one of his arms had a crack in it and I was not happy. So far I have used my admiral yularen figure just a little bit and he dosent have a crack any where, so I am happy about that.

[benderisgreat]

Why do people want TFA Luke so much as the May the 4th promo fig? We'll be getting him in 2017 anyway, it's sort of like when we got Hoth Han, only for him to be released a few years later, it makes the promo figure feel less special and exclusive.

The best figures have been ones you wouldn't expect to get in sets in my opinion, like TC-14, TC-3 and Yularen.

There are so many characters I'd like to see more than Luke because I'm happy to wait for him. I don't really watch the PT, but there are so many examples from the OT and ST. Hobbie or Ozzel would fit in with the Hoth set, Jerjerrod, Motti, Tagge and Needa as unique Imperial Officers. Or how about Beru Lars? Or Jessika Pava or one of the many Resistance/FO commanders for TFA?

I completely agree with you! Why is everybody so eager to get Luke as May 4th promo? I mean he's obviously going to be big part of Ep 8, and he is already first character seen in that promotional video almost 2 years before movie comes out! If that doesn't tell you how important he will be for new movie, I don't know what will. We can surely expect to see Luke minifigure in at least 2 sets for Ep 8. Can't everyone wait 1,5 years to get him?! I was really surprised when they announced Revan as May 4th promo in 2014, I never expected his minifigure! I hope Lego will surprise us this year , just not with another dissapointment as Yularen was.

[Forresto]

I'm hoping for a force ghost personally.

I completely agree with you! Why is everybody so eager to get Luke as May 4th promo? I mean he's obviously going to be big part of Ep 8, and he is already first character seen in that promotional video almost 2 years before movie comes out! If that doesn't tell you how important he will be for new movie, I don't know what will. We can surely expect to see Luke minifigure in at least 2 sets for Ep 8. Can't everyone wait 1,5 years to get him?! I was really surprised when they announced Revan as May 4th promo in 2014, I never expected his minifigure! I hope Lego will surprise us this year , just not with another dissapointment as Yularen was.

Yularen was not a disappointment at all. With his uniform we could finally make a Thrawn Minifigure!

Edited February 18, 2016 by Forresto

[benderisgreat]

I'm hoping for a force ghost personally.

Yularen was not a disappointment at all. With his uniform we could finally make a Thrawn Minifigure!

I meant compared to Revan who was totally unexpected and so desirable to some fans, Yularen wasn't that great of a choice honestly.

[Forresto]

I meant compared to Revan who was totally unexpected and so desirable to some fans, Yularen wasn't that great of a choice honestly.

Well that is true, the Revan figure was sortie crazy. More EU or unusual characters like Revan would be cool, like a clone commando.

[LegoFjotten]

I found the Revan figure disappointing, Yularen was very welcome! I hope we will get another fig from the OT this year.

[Delta66]

may the 4th Admiral thrawn should happen!

either this or San hill

[Venkefedo]

The main reason I'd like Luke for the May the 4th figure (tho the book idea's even better!) is that I don't really wanna wait 18-ish months to get him in an VIII set... but OTOH, May the 4th figures are possibly one of the last refuges for EU figures like Revan. Yularen's badge is totally wrong for Thrawn, so an official Thrawn figure would be pretty sweet...but there are other possibilities, too, like Kyle Katarn, Mara Jade, Bastila Shan, Dash Rendar, Zayne Carrick, Tycho Celchu, Baron Fel, Jarael, Ania Solo, Cade Skywalker, any Imperial Knight, Xizor, etc.

[Junior Shark]

may the 4th Admiral thrawn should happen!

either this or San hill

San Hill? Only if Lego were to start picking characters that fall under the banner of: "Completely outside the realm of possibility."

[CM4Sci]

Well they made Yularen and that lady from the Hoth Base? What's her name? Exactly.

[Junior Shark]

Toryn Farr isn't a May the 4th minifigure, sooo...

But yeah, Yularen is pretty obscure. But San Hill is like a whole new level of obscure (and undesirable, if I dare be so bold).

[Forresto]

Well Yularen wasn't as obscure if you consider he was in the Clone Wars. I think TLG is hoping he'll show up in Rebels maybe. Thrawn figure all the way.

[Venkefedo]

Well they made Yularen and that lady from the Hoth Base? What's her name? Exactly.

Toryn Farr. The only woman besides Leia with lines in ESB. She's pretty well-known in collector circles because it took so long to get a figure of her, despite being...the only woman besides Leia with lines in ESB. An alien Cloud City Guard who didn't even make the final cut of the film, and looked ridiculous with his hat on his Trek-ish bumpy forehead, got a figure before her.

[Junior Shark]

I think the likelihood of a May the 4th minifigure can be determined using two factors: Obscurity and Desirability. IMO, the character should be obscure-ish (or unexpected) but with moderate to plenty of desirability (at least for AFOLs)/ a "cool" factor for the layman Lego Star Wars fan. However, too much obscurity probably kills it. Observe:

Shadow ARF: Obscure-ish, plenty of desirability/ "cool".

TC-14: Obscure-ish, plenty of desirability/ "cool".

Hoth Solo: Unexpected, plenty of desirability/ "cool"

Darth Revan: Obscure-ish (to the non-AFOL), LOTS of desirability/ "cool"

Yularen: Obscure-ish, moderate desirability/ "cool".

Judging potential May the 4th figs:

Chrome Phasma: Not obscure, LOTS of desirability (from AFOLs at least)

Old Luke: Not obscure, LOTS of desirability (from AFOLs at least)

San Hill: Too obscure (IMO), and no desirability/ definitely no "cool" (again, IMO).

I think Old Luke is too prominent for a May the 4th (but I may be wrong). Though a Chome Phasma is definitely not obscure, I think its desirability/ "cool" may outweigh that. Personally, I would count on an obscure-ish but "cool" character from TFA to be the May the 4th fig this year. Sarco Plank? Bazine Netal?

But take all this with a grain of salt, y'know? For all I know I'll be eating my hat in a couple of months when San Hill is revealed as the May the 4th fig.

Edited February 19, 2016 by Junior Shark

[HawkLord]

TFA changed a lot of things with Lego. I feel like before 2015, Lego could get away with obscure character selection - Revan, ARF Trooper, etc. Now everything going forward really needs to have a purpose and/or tie into the larger objective - TFA.

If anything I bet the May 4th promo to be either TFA or Rebels related. Maybe OT, but certainly not PT. We're looking at a whole new world of Lego Star Wars collecting.

[BigEl]

TFA changed a lot of things with Lego. I feel like before 2015, Lego could get away with obscure character selection - Revan, ARF Trooper, etc. Now everything going forward really needs to have a purpose and/or tie into the larger objective - TFA.

If anything I bet the May 4th promo to be either TFA or Rebels related. Maybe OT, but certainly not PT. We're looking at a whole new world of Lego Star Wars collecting.

I absolutely agree. And it worries me a bit when I look at the quality and innovation of sets since the first TFA wave. There are some that are nice, but nothing really groundbreaking and all in all, especially considering the winter wave and upcoming summer wave, its just very underwhelming to me. Combined with the crazy prices in a lot of cases the new lego star wars just feels wrong to me... It will be interesting to see though what Lego will deliver with Rogue One Sets and if this trend will continue.

[HawkLord]

I've also noticed that in terms of quality and build innovation. I'm really hoping it has to do with all the secrecy involving Disney and not wanting to leak anything TFA related. I mean, we definitely saw that with the non-folding wings on Kylo's shuttle.

I've been collecting since 2009 and remember seeing many ships and sets that were the first time Lego designed such sets. They were hungry and trying to win people over. Promos were hot and we got a lot more extras, like the 2013 February VIP mailed to some members just because. Lego has gotten huge and can rest a little bit now, more than ever. Will it always be like this? Probably not. I'm hoping that over time we see a shift back to more collector friendly focuses. But a lot of collecting can be cyclical. What was once fresh and new to me with Lego gets remade every couple years.

Man, I sound old and cranky, don't I? Like I used to have to walk to the Lego store in my wooden underwear through the snow uphill both ways. I should mention I'm still a huge fan of Lego (this year is a great one for Marvel) and I'm optimistic of some type of paradigm shift with Star Wars at some point

[darththeling]

The Eclipse Freighter set is growing on me - though I'm not sure I'll watch the show. I had enough of Droid Tales halfway through the second episode. CGI Slapstick with Lego figs just ain't doin' it for me. Having said that, the build of the freighter looks solid and the little bulldozer that comes with it is neat.

Best of all - the lady fig's skin complexion is much closer to screen-accurate Sabine, which will be great to swap out for. IMHO.

[DarthHank]

Well, TLG doesn't really seem to make calculated decisions for these promos. Shadow ARF doesn't even exist in the star wars universe - the closest thing is the Imperial Storm Commandos. Revan is cool, but unexpected; Han is completely undesirable to me, but I guess some people really did want him, TC-14 is obscure and cool (as she's chrome, and lending credence to the idea of chrome Phasma). Yularen is my favorite. I hope they make a different conference room imperial officer (Motti [the one with a lack of faith] say).

[Venkefedo]

The Eclipse Freighter set is growing on me - though I'm not sure I'll watch the show. I had enough of Droid Tales halfway through the second episode. CGI Slapstick with Lego figs just ain't doin' it for me. Having said that, the build of the freighter looks solid and the little bulldozer that comes with it is neat.

Best of all - the lady fig's skin complexion is much closer to screen-accurate Sabine, which will be great to swap out for. IMHO.

Nice to see all 3 Freemaker siblings have the darker Kanan-style skin color! More options in that color for custom figs! While Kanan is clearly the darkest of skin in the show itself, using this tone for all 3 human Spectres is probably better than using the light flesh for any of 'em, I think. I'll probably keep Ezra as-is, tho.

I liked seeing the Eclipse stuff on the back of the box, that makes it look more appealing with the play functions... unfortunately the set itself spoils what seems to be meant as a reveal in the show, based on the promo that turned up a day or two ago regarding Naare. The new Dengar should be fun; mine has the SSD Dengar head (found it cheap on BL) but the old torso, so he's due for an upgrade... still can't help but wish that Zuckuss or 4-LOM were in his place, tho, or even Bossk who's in more dire need of an upgrade than Dengar (like a head & hands in dark tan...olive green would be too green, medium dark flesh too red... dark tan feels like the best option, and we could certainly use more dark tan hands out there, it's a great color for gloves!)

[wesker]

If there's any truth to the Rogue One rumour regarding

Boba Fett, Cad Bane and the ESB bounty hunters showing up in the movie, we may very well be seeing new Zuckuss, 4-LOM and Bossk minifigures in the near future.

[appiah4]

I'm amazed at how underwhelming the summer sets are..

Is the Resistance X-Wing Fighter basically a color swap for Poe's X-Wing Fighter? I can see no changes to the build whatsoever, but the piece count is somehow higher?

Also, the Vader TIE Advance x1 vs A-Wing couldn't have been a worse disappointment.. What the hell is that A-Wing?

Edited February 19, 2016 by appiah4