Disney 2012 Discussion Thread

[Oky]

Other toy companies seemed to be doing fine selling Cars products years after the release of the first movie, so I actually don't see why not. Plus the DVD will probably come out around that time.

And of course the Princess sets wont be system. The rumors clearly state they're Duplo.

[MAH4546]

Looking forward to the Cars sets. I like these a lot and have collected many of them so far. I'm going to guess, though, that the single car ones aren't large scale, but individual ones for $6.99.

Yeah, it's disappointing to see that there don't seem to be any sets based on the first Cars, considering we're still missing some important characters from that film. I wonder what Red Water's Rescue is though. Could it have something to do with Red the firetruck?

John Carter could be interesting, yes, but I'd still prefer Brave.

Probably related to the scene near the end where Red uses his water gun to fend off the henchcars.

Cars sets? Why? Unless theres some third movie coming out next year I don't know why they would release those sets. Cars doesn't seem like a license you can keep alive like Harry Potter or Star Wars. A huge mistake if you ask me.

As for the princess sets: Unless they are the same as the New Girls Theme I doubt they would be system.

You might want to take a look at toy sales before making such a baseless assumption. Cars is one of the most lucrative and successful movie-based toy franchises. It is probably ensingle most successful movie-based franchise launched since Harry Potter. It is the highest grossing Disney franchise, and it's sales have not only topped into the billions for the past five years, but they have increased every single year since the original film came out.

Edited August 13, 2011 by MAH4546

[Derek]

It is probably ensingle most successful movie-based franchise launched since Harry Potter.

I don't know about that...

But Mattel has been releasing die-cast Cars toys since the first movie was released in 2006, in addition to dozens of other toys. I do think that there is a market for more Cars sets, you just have to look beyond the typical Lego license model to see it...

-Derek

[MAH4546]

I don't know about that...

But Mattel has been releasing die-cast Cars toys since the first movie was released in 2006, in addition to dozens of other toys. I do think that there is a market for more Cars sets, you just have to look beyond the typical Lego license model to see it...

-Derek

It is. That's not an opinion. Sales figures support the statement.

[Solitary Dark]

The Cars franchise has generated over $6 BN in merchandise sales since the first movie, and that's a figure from about 2 years ago. I suspect the Cars brand will replace permanantly the smaller scale racers sets.

Disney are also continuing the Cars universe with more Maters tall tales and an on-going series called 'Planes'.

There was lots of cynicism when Pixar anounced the second movie. - Was it really just a way to extend the life of the merchandise - you also have a whole land opening in Disneyland California based on Radiator Springs.

[lightningtiger]

But who's Ivan Mater?

Mater goes undercover as Ivan the tow truck and of course things don't go to plan - hence machine guns and a parachute deploying at the right time for Mater to escape.

[SBrown]

The issue isnt if the cars brand is a seller. It is. The problem is what are people more likely to buy? A three to four dollar metal diecast of a cars character or a seven dollar miniset of one cars charact like lightening mcqueen. Coming from a parental standpoint, I dont waste my money on the lego cars only because the diecast are a better deal, look nicer and my son doesnt loose pieces. I want to see the sales figures of the lego brand cars theme compared to the die cast metal cars theme.

[Aanchir]

Glad to see that suspicions are correct, and Cars will be a lasting theme. A merchandise-mover like it would have been a shame to lose, especially when there's so many characters yet to be represented.

I am disappointed that there don't seem to be any new sets based on the original Cars. My brother and I would both love to see a Tractor Tipping set. Of course, it's possible that there will be sets based on the original Cars, and they just haven't yet been reported. But I have obvious doubts. I guess a wave focused on Cars 2 makes sense, since the DVD and Blu-Ray release of that film will be a large part of what keeps the franchise in the spotlight in the near future. If the theme lasts longer, then we may get back to seeing more content from the original movie.

[wtfbbq]

I still have my fingers crossed for a Tintin line.

[Blondie-Wan]

Glad to see that suspicions are correct, and Cars will be a lasting theme. A merchandise-mover like it would have been a shame to lose, especially when there's so many characters yet to be represented.

I am disappointed that there don't seem to be any new sets based on the original Cars. My brother and I would both love to see a Tractor Tipping set. Of course, it's possible that there will be sets based on the original Cars, and they just haven't yet been reported. But I have obvious doubts. I guess a wave focused on Cars 2 makes sense, since the DVD and Blu-Ray release of that film will be a large part of what keeps the franchise in the spotlight in the near future. If the theme lasts longer, then we may get back to seeing more content from the original movie.

I think that'll be the case. Remember, it took years of LEGO having a Star Wars theme before certain locales, characters and vehicles from the movies (particularly the original trilogy) got represented, even if these days they're now nearly out of things they haven't done at least once. Indiana Jones didn't have a single set from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom until the theme's second year and third wave, and many people speculated TLG was intentionally avoiding doing any from that one because of its perceived darkness, but they eventually did a couple, one of which was the flagship set of not just the final wave but the entire second year, and the most expensive of the entire theme.

While I could see TLG dropping Cars once there are no more current/recent movies or forthcoming ones, I also could see them keeping it around just as other toy companies have for the past five years, and if they do I certainly expect them to do (more) sets from the first movie eventually (and/or the Mater shorts, and/or Planes).

[Geertos13]

While I could see TLG dropping Cars once there are no more current/recent movies or forthcoming ones, I also could see them keeping it around just as other toy companies have for the past five years, and if they do I certainly expect them to do (more) sets from the first movie eventually (and/or the Mater shorts, and/or Planes).

Never liked Cars that much, and I never saw what was so fun about it as a Lego theme, then again, that's just me. But I would understand if they kept the theme running, as it is a great license for kids. From experience, I know that Cars never gets old with kids My neighbour's son who I watched over one day, wanted to watch the movie three times a day The bad thing is : I had to watch it 3 times. That's probably also the reason I'm not that fond of cars anymore

But anyways, back on track, I understand if they would keep Cars going, especially if LEGO does know a bit more about Pixars plans, and if they're planning, like toy story, to make a third movie. Then again, I read that Cars 2 was a slight disapointment both critically and financially. But let's face it, Cars stil has a lots of possibilities, and they still need to make the first entire film into lego!

As for Princess theme, I'm really disapointed LEGO didn't go for system. Then again if we're to believe the rumours of course. I think they really missed a chance there, parents often buy duplo for young kids, and princess probably won't be an exception, though why won't it be possible to do a regular theme with it, with system! They might even have gotten more girls into lego system! A lost chance that is in my opinion

Edited August 16, 2011 by Geertos13

[Perry the Platypus]

I'm holding out for a Phineas and Ferb line. Think, a LEGO platypus!

I am so with you on this one. I wonder if they will create a new mold for Perry's hat? It might me the same old Indiana Jones fedora, I don't know...

Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with the Cars sets, but if there isn't a Cars 3 next year, what is the point of releasing more? Maybe it was popular enough to keep going?

[The_Chosen_1]

Cars has been a marketing machine for the past 5 years or so. The toys are big sellers, and I can only imagine that the Lego theme is doing pretty well. There may be no more films in the near future, but if the theme is successful it'll stay put for now.

[martyboy70]

Looking forward to the Cars sets. I like these a lot and have collected many of them so far. I'm going to guess, though, that the single car ones aren't large scale, but individual ones for $6.99.

Probably related to the scene near the end where Red uses his water gun to fend off the henchcars.

You might want to take a look at toy sales before making such a baseless assumption. Cars is one of the most lucrative and successful movie-based toy franchises. It is probably ensingle most successful movie-based franchise launched since Harry Potter. It is the highest grossing Disney franchise, and it's sales have not only topped into the billions for the past five years, but they have increased every single year since the original film came out.

Absolutely right.

Im on a couple of Cars diecast forums as my son is a collector and huge fan(though its a tough call whos the bigger fan between him and me) and somebody posted figures showing that merchandise sales wise Cars has made pretty much as much money as all other animated or CGI films released in the last 10 years put together and its increased year on year.

Up until the release of and focus on Cars 2 brand new Cars merchandise was(and probably still is)being thought up and released.

How many animated films still have new merch being released on a daily basis 5 years after they left the cinema?

The 2 most expensive items to buy today on the 2nd hand market ever released by Mattel? The Speedway of the South and Factory sealed sets-both Cars diecast collections.

A genuine #84 Apple car from SOTS will cost upwards of $100 for a 3 inch diecast car.

The Cars license is the proverbial license to print money although I agree that selling LMQ and Mater then trying to sell slight variations in sets with A.N.other might not fly with Lego fans but it does in diecast where there are at least 30 variations of Mcqueen based on diferent scenes from the film and many people have them all and have bought multiples of others in sets to get them(my son has most of them)

This is a good percentage of them but far from all;

The film and the characters just seem to burrow in and resonate with kids and adults alike.

Other films have made way way more at the box-office but have only sold a fraction of the merch that Cars has and I for one will be getting my hands on as much Cars Lego as I can.

Edited August 31, 2011 by martyboy70

[tafkatb]

So would a continuation of the Cars line totally rule out the possibility of Brave sets, or can I keep holding out hope for those? Maybe later in the year?

[Oky]

So would a continuation of the Cars line totally rule out the possibility of Brave sets, or can I keep holding out hope for those? Maybe later in the year?

As I already said on the last page, these Cars sets are only the January wave. If there are to be Brave sets, they'd be a summer release, so there's still hope.

[lightningtiger]

Cars and Cars2 sets are already discontinued for normal retailers - what they have got would be it, only S@H would have stocks to last longer. How many Disney cartoons are coming out next year ? Because the most logical looking to be done in Lego will be the one !

[Oky]

Well, there is also Wreck-it Ralph, a movie about a videogame character produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, but I think Brave would be much more likely to be made into Lego as it mostly features humans and will probably be more popular since it's made by Pixar.

How do you know the current Cars sets are discontinued? That seems strange to me as some of the sets, Big Bentley and the spy plane, were just released over here.

[Haltiamieli]

Probably not that much interest on Duplo Princess here, but posting the set list nevertheless, coming from a web site http://www.spielwaren-lippe.de, first discovered (at least on Eurobricks) by Mesonak here.

LEGO DUPLO PRINCESS Schneewittch. Hütte [snow White's Hut]

14,01 €

LEGO DUPLO PRINCESS Dornröschens Schlafgemach [sleeping Beauty's Sleeping Chamber]

12,14 €

LEGO DUPLO PRINCESS Aschenputtels Prinzessinnenkutsche [Cinderella's Princess Carriage]

23,36 €

LEGO DUPLO PRINCESS Aschenputtels Märchennschloss [Cinderella's Fairytale Castle]

46,72 €

[MAH4546]

Cars and Cars2 sets are already discontinued for normal retailers - what they have got would be it, only S@H would have stocks to last longer. How many Disney cartoons are coming out next year ? Because the most logical looking to be done in Lego will be the one !

What you are saying is simply false.

[lightningtiger]

What you are saying is simply false.

Oh, I don't think so.....a retailer told me they can not order any more Cars or Cars2 sets, it's a trusted source.

[seba]

Are you sure that it is not only in australan shops?

[Joebot]

How many animated films still have new merch being released on a daily basis 5 years after they left the cinema?

According to the set list posted within this thread, TLC is releasing a Duplo set based on "Snow White." That movie was released in 1937.

The film and the characters just seem to burrow in and resonate with kids and adults alike.

Other films have made way way more at the box-office but have only sold a fraction of the merch that Cars has

Yep. The Cars movies are Pixar's least-well-reviewed films ... but they've made more money off merchandising then all their other films combined. It's like Pixar has to churn one of these out every once in a while to pay the bills, then they can get back to their more unique, compelling stuff like Wall-E and Up. Seems like a reasonable tradeoff to me!

[martyboy70]

According to the set list posted within this thread, TLC is releasing a Duplo set based on "Snow White." That movie was released in 1937.

I'm assuming you're being tongue-in-cheek there.

The main point I was trying to convey was the "on a daily basis" part meaning continuous releases-for obvious reasons I'd guess 1942 wasnt a banner year for Snow White related merch.You will always get special edition,commemerative or whatever you want to call it merchandise from classic films but Cars has been a merchandising monster that hasnt skipped a beat since the day it was released.

Other animated films released by big studios in 2006 include The Ant Bully,Flushed Away,Happy Feet,Ice Age 2,Open Season,Over The Hedge and The Wild to name a few. I'l bet no new merch was released for most if not all of them in mid 2007 never mind mid 2011 which is the case with Cars.

Yep. The Cars movies are Pixar's least-well-reviewed films ... but they've made more money off merchandising then all their other films combined. It's like Pixar has to churn one of these out every once in a while to pay the bills, then they can get back to their more unique, compelling stuff like Wall-E and Up. Seems like a reasonable tradeoff to me!

^^^Ive managed to include my reply in the quote OOPS

What do critics know anyway-Cars 2 had some terrible reviews but its far from a terrible film and like so many Pixar films has multiple levels which are only revealed after multiple viewings.Its brought in well over half a billion dollars and the DVD and BD releases will likely at least double this.

Edited September 2, 2011 by martyboy70

[MAH4546]

Oh, I don't think so.....a retailer told me they can not order any more Cars or Cars2 sets, it's a trusted source.

Maybe in Australia, or maybe for certain retailers as the line moves to exclusivity in certain markets, but what you are saying is still false. You tried to paint it as a broad statement applying to all retailers and countries, and that's not true at all.