New Licensed Theme Rumor Mill

[just2good]

Hope LEGO holds onto that Harry Potter license - looks like new films are coming!

http://www.liveforfi...otter-universe/

Oh yes, I so want new HP stuff. I hope they do what they did with LOTR/Hobbit- have one wave one half of the year for classic Harry Potter stuff and another wave the next half of the year for Fantastic Beasts.

Edited September 12, 2013 by just2good

[Sarah]

There's going to be a new movie set in the same universe.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57602602/j.k-rowling-to-pen-new-harry-potter-inspired-film-for-warner-bros/

[deskp]

Presumably, if the movie is aimed at the same audience andd has the same "stature" as the other films, then I'd say it's highly likely we'll get sets. But obviously noone knows for sure yet.

[Seaber]

FBAWTFT is about a British wizard in 1920's New York writing a book about incredible creatures.

Whether or not Lego has a licence for it, the premise alone promises great sets.

Also, it's a film series, I'm sure WB and JK Rowling wouldn't want to give up as long as the quality and love is there (In JK's case anyway). I'm sure that's tempted Lego. Could easily have a LOTR/Hobbit structure to it.

[Brickity]

Just today I heard about that possible film in school It would be awesome to have sets from the film! Well, in case sets are possible.

[TheWorldAhead]

It's just like the big reveal that Disney acquired Lucasfilm...no end in sight for these licenses.

And sorry for starting a new topic about HP, by the way.

[Almaras22]

In the press release for Fantastic Beasts... it mentioned merchandising and everything, so fingers crossed! A LotR/Hobbit set up would be incredible, but I think they did a pretty good job at covering most of the sets from the HP series. Though the potential for a whole heap of new, mythical creatures is overwhelming!

[just2good]

Well, lots of rumors floating around that we'll be seeing LEGO Top Gear soon. All of it is from BBC's side though, and not from LEGO. I first heard of it last Thursday from Reddit, where someone posted pictures of the mock-up sets from a Top Gear survey. Then Brick Fanatics covered it with some additional information Friday. And now, Brick Fanatics has lots of more info about it that they posted today.

From Brick Fanatics:

• First up is something called LEGO Stunt School, which appears to be a Top Gear-branded App. As you play Stunt School you’ll build digital LEGO vehicles and then pit them in crazy Top Gear-themed stunts. LEGO would also release a range of physical Top Gear LEGO sets, these sets would then unlock content in the App.
  
• Next they mention the Top Gear Challenge App, which says a bit like the Life of George set LEGO released a couple of years ago. You would download the Challenge App to you mobile device then as you bought any of the LEGO Top Gear sets, a companion video challenge would b unlocked within the App. In it you would be given a build Challenger by one of the Top Gear presenters, once you’ve built you model from the part included in the LEGO Top Gear sets you could upload it to the LEGO Top Gear Challenge website, where your creations could be voted on my fellow LEGO fans.
  
• LEGO Top Gear sets would also contain a special ‘digital currency’ that could be used across the LEGO Top Gear apps to purchase additional items and content, like Top Gear video clips.
  
• Lastly the survey mentions a possible connection to Funcoms upcoming LEGO Minifigure MMO – LEGO Minifigures Online. LEGO have already announced content can be unlocked in-game from special codes found within future packs of Collectible Minifigures. The survey reveals the same could be possible with LEGO Top Gear sets. When you buy a real world LEGO Top Gear set you could enter a code and unlock the same vehicle to use in the LEGO Minifigure MMO.
  

What do you guys think? Again, this is really being pushed by BBC- kind of how The Simpsons license first started. I wonder if these will be world wide. I can see them being branded under "LEGO Top Gear: Stunt School" and just be a generic theme with a few Top Gear characters making an appearance. Then it will probably have a world wide appeal. Then again, I live in the US and one of my best friend's favorite shows is the British Top Gear show- not even the American show.

[Freddy Bricker]

I can't say I'm excited about this theme, and I will definitely not be buying anything if the rumor is true. I had to actually look up what Top Gear was, and it didn't seem excited. Nowadays it's hard to get excited about new Lego licensed themes, with both DC, Marvel, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, plus Lotr, it seems like TLG have every interesting licensed theme in their hands. This could easily take the spot for least interesting licensed theme ever. But I hope everyone else likes it, be a shame if TLG fails with another theme next year, because no winter wave is really standing out next year.

Edited November 29, 2013 by Freddy Bricker

[BrickG]

Top Gear? Do kids watch that? I know it doesn't exactly get a lot of attention here in the States. The Simpsons has a lot larger appeal (like 100x :P).

Bring DOCTOR WHO if anything... though again, that isn't nearly as popular here.

[Dorayaki]

I don't watch this show, but I'm shocked to see it's not a drama license which is a totally different targeted market. Would there be other weird reality show licenses? If TLC believe that it sells, I'm happy to see more TV program licensed themes and the BBC Sherlock project have a bigger chance.

Doctor Who had given license to Character company, but they also make Minecraft toys. Unless they don't mind to have a competitor.

[lightningtiger]

I myself would love to have have Top Gear LEGO in my collection.......Darth Vader Vs. The Stig......I think The Stig would win ! LOL

Since Mega Bloks have Hot Wheels tied up with Team Hot Wheels (goodness the sets look like crap), it's quite possible that Lego sees Top Gear as the next best thing and to tie into App's as well.....another cash cow perhaps.

At least we can all be able to build James May's Lego House right.....that's if it comes ahead ?

[Kintobor]

I don't really care for Top Gear. Sure, the clips I've seen are humorous, but I don't think that's enough to sell as a full blown line. Maybe a set? I just can't see this sell. Or they'll just sell it in the UK and do something similar to the Olympic figs and cast aside other buyers. I'm still peeved about that. I know it's irrational, but I still cannot believe why Lego wouldn't sell those figures outside of the UK, particularly with all the exclusive parts in those packets.

[Faefrost]

I don't watch this show, but I'm shocked to see it's not a drama license which is a totally different targeted market. Would there be other weird reality show licenses?

You mean there's hope for a Kardashian's theme? Cause I don't think we could possibly get enough of stuff like that.

[gedren_y]

I'm wondering what Top Gear is in the UK. If it is anything like the US show Top Gear (on the History Channel), then three guys competing with each other with different vehicles of a common type won't have much appeal to kids as a Lego Theme.

As for Doctor Who, as a fan of the early seasons I am sad to say that Lego has already stated that a competitor has the license.

[just2good]

I'm wondering what Top Gear is in the UK. If it is anything like the US show Top Gear (on the History Channel), then three guys competing with each other with different vehicles of a common type won't have much appeal to kids as a Lego Theme.

That's hilarious! I've only seen people in the US know the British version, and people in the UK know the American version!

[Colossus]

I could dig The Stig Minifig! But it would take 5 seconds to make one outta some pieces in my spare parts bin. I don't get the online app appeal, but I could really get behind Minifig scaled classic cars like vintage Jags, Aston Martins, Ferraris, muscle cars, etc. I imagine licensing would be a nightmare, though.

[deskp]

lets not forget this happened.

[Clone OPatra]

Is that key chain for real? If so… laziest license ever?

But really, Top Gear would just be another Licensed direction for what are basically Racers sets. Ferrari has been nice, but now it's kind of done to death - what more can they do besides ANOTHER F1 car and ANOTHER truck? (Well, they could actually do the Ferrari normal-people cars in minifig scale, but I guess that's not on their radar.) Top Gear would boil down to more new cars but with a brand slapped on the boxes. Kids love cars, and some people love branding, so it seems like a tolerable marriage of things to me.

[just2good]

Is that key chain for real? If so… laziest license ever?

Yeah, it is real. It was given away with Top Gear magazine in 2012.

[CM4Sci]

Ech, if true, not interested at all.

-Sci

[Dorayaki]

You mean there's hope for a Kardashian's theme? Cause I don't think we could possibly get enough of stuff like that.

Masterchef, Next Top Model.... etc. Directly speaking, it's like Speed Racer and Cars which are aimed at racing car collectors. Top Gear is a good license that allows TLC to market and design based on their show format (well, Sugar Racing isn't in their heart). The previous World Racers also looks like a show concept but perhaps it didn't work as much as expectation.

So put those joking aside, other types of reality show don't correspond to TLC's strategies. Maybe Survivor and The Amazing Race work if TLC want to introduce wild scene playsets.

In the concept picture, it feels like that the minifigures of regular cast would remain flesh while other crew and contestants are yellow, like 8186 showed.

[KingPixels]

In all seriousness, I don't think Top Gear will ever be an official theme.

1) Kids just aren't into it. It's definitely pitched more at teenagers/adults and I just don't see there being any interest.

2) There'd be confusion with the UK and US version. American kids might only watch the US version, and they're the target market really.

3) It's really trivial to make this out of existing parts. I can't see anything new and interesting coming about from this.

[Faefrost]

Masterchef, Next Top Model.... etc. Directly speaking, it's like Speed Racer and Cars which are aimed at racing car collectors. Top Gear is a good license that allows TLC to market and design based on their show format (well, Sugar Racing isn't in their heart). The previous World Racers also looks like a show concept but perhaps it didn't work as much as expectation.

So put those joking aside, other types of reality show don't correspond to TLC's strategies. Maybe Survivor and The Amazing Race work if TLC want to introduce wild scene playsets.

In the concept picture, it feels like that the minifigures of regular cast would remain flesh while other crew and contestants are yellow, like 8186 showed.

Looking at the shelves of Walmart last night I think TLG is the ONLY company that doesn't hold a "Duck Dynasty" license. Which is a shame. I could find a lot of interesting uses for the beard pieces that would come with it.

[lightningtiger]

Man, the negativity towards Top Gear eh ?

Gee, Lego might be looking at different ways of using it's product with new high tech toys....like tablets or iPads as well as keeping with it's original construction set idea it's relied on for over 50 years plus.

If it works, who know's it might extend to Star Wars.......build your X-wing, then fly it on your tablet.

So the Top Gear idea could be a launching pad for new tech/products.