An internet tale Winchester/Shaun of the Dead project on CUUSOO

[CMP]

Oh, they worded it differently than I thought...that's essentially what they said.

Edited April 26, 2012 by CallMePieOrDie

[Scubacarrot]

You must be joking. Seriously. You're an adult (or if not, you're a younger person who realizes movie gore isn't realistic). Fine, by the time I was 13 or 14 that type of violence wouldn't have phased me, but as a younger kid I was plenty creeped out just at the Nazis disintegrating at the end of Raiders. Shaun of the Dead is chock full of violence way above and beyond anything LEGO has ever licensed, not to mention the swearing. It's entirely geared towards adults; satire is lost on kids most of the time. You might not want to have 'started a debate,' but you're just digging yourself into the ground if you actually try to argue that the violence in SotD is 'tame' for children.

I did not say violence, did I? I said Offensive/Violence, but meant offensive, but for some reason, they mean the same thing to some people. Yes, there is no way denying that the movie is full of (cartoony) violence. But is that really a thing that will scare children? I don't think so. When I was talking about more offensive things, I was thinking about the including of Nazi's in indiana Jones(Which Lego added in the sets, the gore of sotd certainly would not be...), the strangling and burning of people in Lord of the Rings.

I am certainly an adult, and I have the right to disagree, haven't I?

On a slightly different note, if we are arguing about 6-11 year olds, they should of course probably not see the movie, but neither should they see Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Batman etc.

Edited April 26, 2012 by Scubacarrot

[mrklaw]

I understand that the movie is R rated in the US, and that might be the main reason to reject it.

But Lego still has zombies. Is there one zombie movie ever released that is a PG? They are reanimated corpses, they want to kill you and/or eat your guts/brains. But that's ok for 6 year olds...

[vmln8r]

The protracted moderation of this project is really confusing. Why couldn't they have made up their minds at the outset? The only difference is now, they have disappointed 10,000 supporters.

[meyerc13]

"Quite tame" is relative, but it's far far more graphic then any other license. I don't even see how that can possibly be up for debate.

Oh really? Look at Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, a guy has his heart ripped out. Or Batman The Dark Knight, the joker slams a pencil through a man's eye. Yet LEGO makes sets for both of those themes. I've got kids who are six and four, and it frustrates my wife and me that Hollywood makes movies at PG-13 that toy makers like Hasbro and LEGO then make toys for. The kids who are at the age where they play with toys aren't old enough to see the movies the toys are based on (like the upcoming Marvel Avengers, btw).

Cuusoo only allows adults to vote, yet when adults vote through a set they say, "We can't make this... think of the children!" Well if that's the argument they want to play then I challenge them to pull Batman and the Avengers toys off the market because I'm sick of explaining to my kid why he can't go see the movie for the new toys he just bought at the LEGO store.

Let's face it, this is a bad decision. It's not like kids would even know that this was based on a movie if they saw the set, because it's not like the movie has advertisements currently in heavy rotation like the new Avengers movie. I honestly think a big part of their decision is due to the nutcases who protested Friends... because of a few people like that complaining loudly, LEGO doesn't want to risk someone getting on their soapbox about this set.

I can tell you that this has turned me off completely to the whole Cuusoo concept, and I'm not going to waste my time on the site any longer since the sets that are decent and aimed at kids don't get the votes, and the sets that are aimed at franchises that get the votes won't get made unless they are so generic that they don't offend anyone (like Minecraft).

I predict a lot of lousy sets coming out of Cuusoo, while the best sets get overlooked or vetoed. Waste of my time. LEGO

[Vindicare]

I think Shadows and Clone said it best. They did say from the beginning that it may not happen. It certainly is sad news, I would've bought it.

To Yatkuu, while the set didn't get approval as you hoped, I don't think you should just forget about it. All the recognition. Pegg talking about it on Conan, thats impressive right there. You should be proud.

meyerc13, ts been awhile since I've seen either movie, but as far as I remember, and the trick to the violence, is never showing the act. Sure, we see the pencil as it's going down on the table, then we see his head slam into it. That's as far as it goes. We don't see the act of the pencil going into his head. Same goes for Indy(again, I think), you don't see his hand completely enter the dudes chest and physically rip his heart out. We see his fingers touching his chest and start to press in, then they pan to the screaming face(?) then back to the heart in his hand.

Edited April 26, 2012 by Legocrazy81

[NiceMarmot]

I honestly think a big part of their decision is due to the nutcases who protested Friends... because of a few people like that complaining loudly, LEGO doesn't want to risk someone getting on their soapbox about this set.

You might be onto something there; the Friends thing might have made TLG a bit more controversy-shy than normal.

I think their stated reason is accurate, although it might not have been the whole story. It's probably a combination of concerns about the theme, lack of follow-on models (why pay for a license for only one set?), SotD folks wanting too much $$ for a license, the size of the set, etc. If they went forward with it, they'd probably only sell it in LEGO stores, S@H, and maybe Amazon; certainly not in TRU/Walmart/Target. So add in some concerns about how to effectively sell it.

I'm not surprised by the decision, and certainly not upset with it. I hope that Yatkuu (or someone) creates an LDD version of it and publicizes the instructions so we can all bricklink it.

I do see big problem with CUUSOO however, in that the overwhelming majority of the projects with heavy support are based on licenses. Of course, licensed products have a built-in fanbase and channels to get the word out easily, so it's a lot easier to pile up supporters for them. I don't think TLG really wanted to use CUUSOO to get a bunch of recommendations for new licenses. They could have just conducted some surveys to do that, and not risk ticking off 10,000 supporters per rejected project. I wouldn't be surprised to see them split CUUSOO projects into two groups (licensed and non-licensed), and raise the bar for licensed projects to something like 20,000. Especially if My Little Pony hits 10,000.

[AndyC]

Cuusoo only allows adults to vote,

I'm not sure that's strictly true. I'm pretty sure anyone can vote (or maybe it was 13+), it's only actually submitting proposals that was limited to adults.

And whilst it's disappointing that it didn't make it past review, I can't say I'm entirely surprised. SotD is by no means the most violent movie out there, but it's not exactly typical Lego territory either. I dare say this won't be the last Cuusoo project to fall at the final hurdle either, all those trying for Hasbro products are pretty much dead before they even begin.

[lightningtiger]

Perhaps it was turned down due to licensing costs ?

Now what does that mean for Zelda, My Little Pony and coming close to it BTTF ?

[Scubacarrot]

Perhaps it was turned down due to licensing costs ?

Now what does that mean for Zelda, My Little Pony and coming close to it BTTF ?

Zelda: For me highly unlikely, Nintendo is not known for being generous with licenses. It could be possible, since there is also Mario Knex, but I think negotiations would be longer than a few weeks. There also is no game coming out any time soon to tie it in to. I would be one of the people to buy it, but I don't realistically see Lego going through with it.

My Little Pony: Not going to happen, Don't think Lego needs Cuusoo to know that MLP is populair on the internet, and Hasbro, the producers AND makes toys for it themselves. I don't think Hasbro would do anything like this...

BTTF: I don't know, to be honest. It depends on how large the fanbase currently is, I am not optimistic about this one because it has been 22 years since the last movie came out, but that could also just mean the license could be considerably cheaper than the others that are mentioned.

I really think licensing costs are a massive obstacle, I think the Minecraft license could be gotten without much problems because there was nothing similair around for Minecraft...

[Nightshroud99]

The reasoning by Lego is quite bollocks. They shouldn't have used inappropriateness for 6-11 year olds as the main reason. Several of Lego's best selling themes are based on films inappropriate for 6-11 year olds yet the sets are still produced and sold and bought by parents for such young children.

I seriously can't think of any themes based on films that haven't been appropriate for children..

Pirates of the Caribbean, based on a Disney ride. Indiana Jones, what 6 year old hasn't watched that? I saw it when I was 4. Star Wars, same statement as Indy.

Marvel, DC - can be marketed to children. Harry Potter, is a children's book series. Etc, etc, etc.

I think Shadows summed up TLG's reaction perfectly.

[Mr_Malfoy]

I'm surprised they decided not to do it. It kind of compromises their promise about CUUSOO: "Get 10,000 supporters, and we'll most likely make the thing official". I blame the Friends-hating lunatics with nothing else to do in their lives but complain about stuff for this not becoming official. But, then again, there's already a set coming out with zombies this year. I do have to ask something though: didn't they know that something like this might happen?

I do see big problem with CUUSOO however, in that the overwhelming majority of the projects with heavy support are based on licenses. Of course, licensed products have a built-in fanbase and channels to get the word out easily, so it's a lot easier to pile up supporters for them. I don't think TLG really wanted to use CUUSOO to get a bunch of recommendations for new licenses. They could have just conducted some surveys to do that, and not risk ticking off 10,000 supporters per rejected project. I wouldn't be surprised to see them split CUUSOO projects into two groups (licensed and non-licensed), and raise the bar for licensed projects to something like 20,000. Especially if My Little Pony hits 10,000.

It's true, nearly all the CUUSOO projects that are popular are licensed. If MLP is made, I will .

[Mr Copperhead]

My Little Pony: Not going to happen, Don't think Lego needs Cuusoo to know that MLP is populair on the internet, and Hasbro, the producers AND makes toys for it themselves. I don't think Hasbro would do anything like this...

I don't think LEGO will do MLP, but if MLP hits 10K on CUUSOO, Hasbro might. They might even do it if it doesn't. Especially with the LEGO Friends and the Megablocks Hello Kitty sets out there, they can already piggyback on the brick compatibility and colors in two other girl themes and have these things out making money in every Walmart and Target in the country. Not to mention the rest of the world. You've already got MLP "CMF"s in stores, why not make them building block compatible and sell some bricks along with them?

Edited April 27, 2012 by Mr Copperhead

[fred67]

So I just wanted to add my two cents.

Yes, I know in the U.S. Shaun of the Dead was rated "R," but I'm really not sure how it's more violent than LOTR or some of the other movies. I guess the truth is I've only seen it edited on TV, but when I think of some of the specific gruesome scenes in LOTR (including heads rolling after being chopped off, and heads being volleyed into Minas Tirith by Orcs) and Indiana Jones (they actually have a set for the scene where the mechanic gets chopped up by the blades of the plane) and Star Wars (Darth Vader's transformation... you know, where legless, armless, burned to a crisp Anakin is "resurrected").

Now some of you say that we shouldn't be surprised... in light if TLG's initial response to the project, I'd say we should all be surprised - their initial reply was 100% correct; it's a horror movie, but done in a comedic and whimsical way. Killing zombies IS fantasy violence.

Once again, a corporation goes against the wishes of it's customers (it's their right to do so, of course) and comes up with a bogus excuse. Why? They don't want it to compete with the zombie set they are releasing? They don't want it to compete with the modular line? They're already giving up a precious 1% to the creator, and can't stomach giving up more for a license? I don't know, but all of those reasons sound a lot more realistic than that the movie was too violent, IMO. (added after edit) Maybe they realized the set was too big and too many people who actually would never be willing to spend that kind of money voted for the project.... seems like most of the people weren't even LEGO fans, but Conan fans.

Sorry, Yatkuu... you had a good run and got boned by corporate politics. Such is life. You can be happy (if not satisfied) that we all support you and think you did a wonderful job.

EDIT: the worst part, I think, is they talk about their "core" audience while completely ignoring the fact that Cuusoo has very few "kids" sets on it. The submarine and satellite are hardly things kids would be pushing their parents to buy; minecraft I think it definitely for an audience well over 11 on the whole - it's more kitsch than a "building" set. I'm really disappointed.

Edited April 27, 2012 by fred67

[Ceroknight]

Saw the news on Brickset...

What a shame...

[Nightshroud99]

EDIT: the worst part, I think, is they talk about their "core" audience while completely ignoring the fact that Cuusoo has very few "kids" sets on it. The submarine and satellite are hardly things kids would be pushing their parents to buy; minecraft I think it definitely for an audience well over 11 on the whole - it's more kitsch than a "building" set. I'm really disappointed.

You know what's also kind of funny? It's that their core audience (of 6-11) can't even use CUUSOO because they aren't old enough to vote for sets...

[Shadows]

You know what's also kind of funny? It's that their core audience (of 6-11) can't even use CUUSOO because they aren't old enough to vote for sets...

You know what's even more funny? It's the parents who buy sets for the core audience who would be the most likely to have a problem with the source material for this set. The core audience would be clueless. So guess what, offend the people buying the sets and you've lost your customer base.

This is why TLG is making the decisions and not the clueless fans.

[Scubacarrot]

You know what's even more funny? It's the parents who buy sets for the core audience who would be the most likely to have a problem with the source material for this set. The core audience would be clueless. So guess what, offend the people buying the sets and you've lost your customer base.

This is why TLG is making the decisions and not the clueless fans.

Those people would be the same people that would have problems with Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings etc if they have seen the movies. There is ALWAYS going to be someone with a problem. I don't see why this would be something that is "too offensive."

[Jedi master Brick]

Those people would be the same people that would have problems with Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings etc if they have seen the movies. There is ALWAYS going to be someone with a problem. I don't see why this would be something that is "too offensive."

But on the whole people in the target in audience have watched star wars, Harry Potter, LOTR, and Indiana Jones anyway. The only people who kick up a fuss is Spark but they try to make a fuss about everything

[Shadows]

Those people would be the same people that would have problems with Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings etc if they have seen the movies. There is ALWAYS going to be someone with a problem. I don't see why this would be something that is "too offensive."

I have the utmost respect for the creator of this project, it's very nice. If it had been released as a generic modular, it wouldn't have reached 10,000 votes as quickly, but it still may have. Then there would be a chance of it being released. It didn't go that way.

To be fair, this got 10,000 votes because of the publicity. The publicity came from the source material. The source material is inappropriate for a LEGO product. Game over.

The solution? TLG should add guidelines reminding people that they aren't going to make something based on material that falls well outside what is appropriate for their target audience. That doesn't mean they won't make a set that kids wouldn't like, it means they won't make a set that shouldn't be associated with the LEGO brand.

Understand the difference, it makes all the sense in the world.

[NiceMarmot]

Zelda: For me highly unlikely, Nintendo is not known for being generous with licenses. It could be possible, since there is also Mario Knex, but I think negotiations would be longer than a few weeks. There also is no game coming out any time soon to tie it in to. I would be one of the people to buy it, but I don't realistically see Lego going through with it.

Heard on the news today that Nintendo just reported their first operating loss ever. Apparently the iPad is killing the DS in the casual gaming market. So they might be a little more willing to listen to an interesting licensing proposal from TLG...

[Scubacarrot]

I have the utmost respect for the creator of this project, it's very nice. If it had been released as a generic modular, it wouldn't have reached 10,000 votes as quickly, but it still may have. Then there would be a chance of it being released. It didn't go that way.

To be fair, this got 10,000 votes because of the publicity. The publicity came from the source material. The source material is inappropriate for a LEGO product. Game over.

The solution? TLG should add guidelines reminding people that they aren't going to make something based on material that falls well outside what is appropriate for their target audience. That doesn't mean they won't make a set that kids wouldn't like, it means they won't make a set that shouldn't be associated with the LEGO brand.

Understand the difference, it makes all the sense in the world.

You are not directly responding to what I'm saying, I very much realize what you are saying, of course it reached 10.000 votes because of the publicity, and so did Minecraft and the Rifter. But I don't agree with you saying the source material is inappropriate.

Who says it is inappropriate for a Lego Product? TLG, why? Because they are afraid it will cause negative publicity for them, by certain people that will make a fuss.

[Delta 38]

Hmm. It's too bad nothing came out of it, I was hoping to see what they'd come up with.

That said, I view most Cuusoo projects (particularly the ones that would require a license) with an amount of skepticism. Regardless of whether the core material is "acceptable" or not, I see very few licensed projects actually making the cut, for one reason or another.

I thought Cuusoo was primarily for peoples' own creations, which would probably work out better in terms of production though gathering support would be very slow. I don't know how plausible it is to just get a license quickly like that.

Ultimately, it all revolves around factors nobody can control. It's a shame, either way.

[Clone OPatra]

Who says it is inappropriate for a Lego Product? TLG, why? Because they are afraid it will cause negative publicity for them, by certain people that will make a fuss.

As a privately held company, TLG is not entitled to tell you anything. They do what they want, and give the reasons they want.

But you can hopefully see the reason for this not being within typical range for their products. The best that I have seen is that Shaun of the Dead is set in modern day. Not that it is necessarily more violent that another License (though I still think it), but that it does not blatantly involve fantasy. Every LEGO line that involves violence is completely non-realistic. Future humans killing and (basically) dissecting alien UFO invaders. Robotic-limbed people hunting monsters. Knights, dwarves, and elves killing orcs. Yes, these are violent. They have guns and death, and LEGO does not even try to cover it up.

I know I know, zombies are fantasy, but SotD, like most other Zombie films, put them in the real world. I can see why LEGO does not want to associate with that, even when the product itself would not be violent.

It also needs to be noted that it is not just zombies being killed in SotD. The humans, the real people, are ripped apart too, and in a way that is supposed to be campily reminiscent of 'reality.' SotD might be paying homage to earlier zombie works in its violence, but those earlier works were trying to be gorily 'realistic' in a way.

So there's another answer. I know you won't agree. But there it is for your enjoyment.

[fred67]

So there's another answer. I know you won't agree. But there it is for your enjoyment.

I don't agree, but humbly respect your (and other's) position on it. It simply seems more likely to be a simple business decision (which they are entitled to make, of course). I think my last edit of my last post is the most likely reason - it reached 10k because of Conan, not because of people who would shell out the cost of such a set (I would guess in the neighborhood of $200).