Durins Bane Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 You can say that again. My personal experience tells me that Lego store employees are often extremely nice people who aren't actually as interested in Lego as to keep themselves up-to-date with the upcoming sets or their availability. ;) Okay sorry, let me rephrase that, I am an EX employee and im still in with the manager, who does know whats going on, and who does go to Lego manager conventions where they DO know what is going on. Trust me they loooove Lego and i completely agree that most store employees just need a job. Oh and I hope they are terribly wrong, terribly terribly wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me. Look back, my credibility is grand. I was actually told to shut up when i said lotr is not a rumor... but I didn't. And I got the first Uruks in hand and took pics. Summing up I trust my lego friends and want nothing more than them to be wrong.
SirBlake Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 Lego employees at my store said they really don't believe there will be another lotr wave. It is weird there is no Return of the king sets just like in POTC there were no At world end sets I doubt that seriously. The game isn't out yet and they haven't gotten a chance to realize the benefit of association with the Hobbit movies. See how well they're selling after the first film is released. Also, Shelob is a RotK set.
SheepEater Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 Okay sorry, let me rephrase that, I am an EX employee and im still in with the manager, who does know whats going on, and who does go to Lego manager conventions where they DO know what is going on. Trust me they loooove Lego and i completely agree that most store employees just need a job. Oh and I hope they are terribly wrong, terribly terribly wrong, but it wouldn't surprise me. Look back, my credibility is grand. I was actually told to shut up when i said lotr is not a rumor... but I didn't. And I got the first Uruks in hand and took pics. Summing up I trust my lego friends and want nothing more than them to be wrong. Then you (and your manager friends) are implying that Lego's CEO is a liar? Lego's CEO speaking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRsuzG1vATw Skip to 3:47 for LOTR specific.
Delta_02_Cat Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 I can't imagine making sets for the first Hobbit movie but not for the second, that would be a bit strange. And also, not a single Gondor set? really? That can't be it, LOTR without Gondor? No way!
Durins Bane Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 (edited) Then you (and your manager friends) are implying that Lego's CEO is a liar? Lego's CEO speaking: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=yRsuzG1vATw Skip to 3:47 for LOTR specific. Yes I've seen it, and it is just a di#@ tease for all I care... Never said I don't want more I just said It would not suprise me. I doubt that seriously. The game isn't out yet and they haven't gotten a chance to realize the benefit of association with the Hobbit movies. See how well they're selling after the first film is released. Also, Shelob is a RotK set. True about shelob but Isn't that in the 2nd book? Edited September 16, 2012 by Durins Bane
RaincloudDustbin Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 Yes I've seen it, and it is just a di#@ tease for all I care... Never said I don't want more I just said It would not suprise me. True about shelob but Isn't that in the 2nd book? 2nd book, 3rd film!
General Magma Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 Damn, I expected to have a few more years of LEGO LOTR. It can't be ending this soon already, can it? Even the CEO said the line was doing well... Wouldn't be happy with the lack of Gondor sets, especially, but I'd also like to see most other possible sets.
Durins Bane Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 Damn, I expected to have a few more years of LEGO LOTR. It can't be ending this soon already, can it? Even the CEO said the line was doing well... Wouldn't be happy with the lack of Gondor sets, especially, but I'd also like to see most other possible sets. Exactly! Id love to have hd elves for my hd..
Duke of wellington Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 (edited) The CEO would not lie. There is no reason why it would be stopped. I thought it was successful? If TLG releases 1 more LOTR set (Orthnac) Just like POTC then we know it will probably end. Oin,Thorin and Nori might be in the spider set or the Wargs set. Edited September 16, 2012 by Duke of wellington
Bilbo Baggins Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 I would like to see LOTR continue for a couple of years but if it is really ending I hope they make a big exclusive (maybe Minas Tirith)
Angeli Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 As long as the line makes money, it will continue. The moment it stops making enough money, or there is something else that TLG thinks would make even more money, they are gone. They could stay if they would bust the sales of the Lego as a brand or in any other way contribute to the sales of Lego in general and maximize profit - other then that, and the line is gone ;) If they even have a hint that people are getting saturated with the line - it is gone Personally I do not need Sauron, I need armor, helmet, weapons, face in any other theme that I could use as Sauron, and I can combine ;)
Faefrost Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 I doubt that seriously. The game isn't out yet and they haven't gotten a chance to realize the benefit of association with the Hobbit movies. See how well they're selling after the first film is released. Also, Shelob is a RotK set. I suspect that we are getting confused by how TLG has split LotR and The Hobbit. It is extremely likely that we will not be seeing more LotR sets precisely because of the three Hobbit movies. The LotR slots on the shelves will be filled by Hobbit themed sets that can fully capitalize on the current movies. And think about it. Lego has already released the full Fellowship. Yes there are a few key figs missing, mainly Saruman, Galadriel, Wormtongue, Faramir, Denethor, Eowyn and Arwen. Of those several are known to be a part of Jackson's Hobbit films, so they can just as easily factor in to those sets. For sets and settings, we lack the Third book, so no Gondor or Mordor sets. While they would be great to have, I am not sure that they are a huge marketing priority? Neither subject is something that will work well as an affordable Lego set. (yes clever design could prove me wrong.) overall I suspect TLG may be more than a bit more comfortable designing and marketing for The Hobbit. There is a bit more individual action, and far more of a whimsical feel to the story than the darker and bleaker last half of LotR.
The_Chosen_1 Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 It's exactly this sort of news that makes me want to go buy more sets and support the line (albeit in my own little way). That said though, it's way too early at this point to be making any judgment calls about the theme ending. The Hobbit hasn't even hit theaters yet, and I expect we'll see a sudden surge in LotR interest when it does.
Deathleech Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) Yes I've seen it, and it is just a di#@ tease for all I care... Never said I don't want more I just said It would not suprise me. The thing is, the CEO was asked about license themes in general (I think the interviewer mentioned Super Heroes, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Star Wars), yet he replied by singeling out LotR and saying they were doing really, REALLY well (followed by a nice little grin). Why specifically mention the LotR line and lie by saying they are doing well when he could have just as easily talked about another license them doing well instead? It's not like he was asked specifically about LotR or even had to bring the line up, but he did. Not only that, someone else said Lego bought the LotR/Hobbit license till 2014 so why would they waste it and only do one LotR wave (I can see it if the line is doing so bad it's costing them money, but ya...). Until we hear from some reliable sources I am taking these "sales reports" with a grain of salt. After all someone else said they heard from a reliable source that the LotR video game would have Gandalf the White or Sauramon as the pre-order exclusive and it turned out to be Elrond which was TOTALLY different. I have checked the Amazon sales for LotR and most of the sets are still in the top 100 building toys even 4 months after being released. That seems pretty good to me? Edited September 17, 2012 by Deathleech
Durins Bane Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 The thing is, the CEO was asked about license themes in general (I think the interviewer mentioned Super Heroes, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Star Wars), yet he replied by singeling out LotR and saying they were doing really, REALLY well (followed by a nice little grin). Why specifically mention the LotR line and lie by saying they are doing well when he could have just as easily talked about another license them doing well instead? It's not like he was asked specifically about LotR or even had to bring the line up, but he did. Not only that, someone else said Lego bought the LotR/Hobbit license till 2014 so why would they waste it and only do one LotR wave (I can see it if the line is doing so bad it's costing them money, but ya...). Until we hear from some reliable sources I am taking these "sales reports" with a grain of salt. After all someone else said they heard from a reliable source that the LotR video game would have Gandalf the White or Sauramon as the pre-order exclusive and it turned out to be Elrond which was TOTALLY different. I have checked the Amazon sales for LotR and most of the sets are still in the top 100 building toys even 4 months after being released. That seems pretty good to me? All I said was what I heard... No one knows what Lego will do... but I am credible
Gryphon Ink Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 So, one guy says he heard from one Lego employee that the theme was ending, and we all just decide it's true? Come on, guys. There is no way this theme is over yet, and there is no way TLG will give up on a very expensive license with a huge fandom three months before the release of the new movie that is driving a massive surge of interest from movie geeks, general fantasy lovers and just about everybody with a pulse. They just bought this license, for gods know how much money. They don't get a refund if they pull out of the deal. NO WAY are they going to eighty-six the theme before it has a chance to get properly started. Look around the Internet, if you don't think people are interested in the adventures of these little hobbits. The Hobbit movies are THE Big Thing for the next three years. People are making plans to stand in line at theaters for a marathon of all three LOTR movies the day "An Unexpected Journey" opens. The Lego LOTR games are kindling major interest. Geeks of every stripe are knitting hobbit feet and brushing up on their Elvish. This topic has almost 6500 posts. Hell, the topic was 200 pages long before the first sets even showed up! Granted, the Hobbit and LOTR are technically separate franchises. The emphasis here is on the word "technically". Yes, the book The Hobbit is more of a kids' book than LOTR. Different styles, different characters, different story. But none of that matters as far as the movies are concerned. From the very first time we saw the costume stills of the thirteen dwarves, it was obvious that Peter Jackson is making these movies exactly like LOTR. Bigger battles than the book ever had. Darker dangers. More romance. Every major LOTR character that can possibly be dragged into the Hobbit, has been drafted. The expansion from two to three movies is at least partly fueled by the desire to link the movies even more strongly to LOTR. This is not a whole separate franchise, it's the Prequel Trilogy to LOTR's Original Trilogy. Sales of the one trilogy WILL drive sales of the other, in exactly the same way every new James Bond movie drives DVD sales of the older ones. I do not know the future, nor do I work for TLG. Maybe it's true. Maybe LOTR only appears to be successful, and in reality the sets are moldering away on the shelves from a complete lack of interest. Maybe TLG's CEO is only pretending to be happy about LOTR sales, and the Hobbit: AUJ will not be one of the biggest movies of 2012. But I wouldn't bet on it just because one guy claims to have inside knowledge about it, when all appearances indicate that this is one of the biggest licensed themes TLG ever launched.
Deathleech Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) All I said was what I heard... No one knows what Lego will do... but I am credible Well the person who told us about the exclusive minifigure with the LotR game also claimed to be credible but he ended up being wrong. I'm not saying you aren't credible, nor is he necessarily, I just find these poor LotR sales rumors to be hard to believe. Especially when the CEO himself has been recorded saying otherwise. Why would he say the sales are doing really REALLY well for the LotR line when he could of just as easily focused on a different themed line? I mean it's the Lego CEO's word which we have proof of with the YouTube video vs a friend of a friend who is a Lego mangers word. Which seems more believable? Edited September 17, 2012 by Deathleech
Durins Bane Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) Well the person who told us about the exclusive minifigure with the LotR game also claimed to be credible but he ended up being wrong. I'm not saying you aren't credible, nor is he necessarily, I just find these poor LotR sales rumors to be hard to believe. Especially when the CEO himself has been recorded saying otherwise. Why would he say the sales are doing really REALLY well for the LotR line when he could of just as easily focused on a different themed line? I mean it's the Lego CEO's word which we have proof of with the YouTube video vs a friend of a friend who is a Lego mangers word. Which seems more believable? Alright brickheads. I said I HEARD it. NOT that it is happening.. lol. dang. rude. On another note. If we have that picture from the lego offices that shows orthanc and possibly ents in the background, we can always hope... AND I never said anything about poor sales... At all. All I meant was that I was told that there would be nothing for next summer. All my manager said is he don't see it continuing after the Hobbit sets. Edited September 17, 2012 by Durins Bane
SirBlake Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 I suspect that we are getting confused by how TLG has split LotR and The Hobbit. It is extremely likely that we will not be seeing more LotR sets precisely because of the three Hobbit movies. That's a fair point, but I think that 1) the lines are inexorably linked, and function as one license in the same way that Star Wars Clone Wars and original trilogy Star Wars does. Same overall property where one aspect of it is new, the other is well established. 2) the staggered release schedules that we've all been talking about (summer = LotR, Winter = Hobbit) just makes too much sense. At least until the summer of 2014 when we'll get the third Hobbit Movie. That leaves us with another summer to finish off LotR with things like Gondor and Orthanc. At least, we hope. I'm not saying all of this to be argumentative or doubt this source. It just simply doesn't make sense. That said, I come from a world of Hasbro Star Wars fandom, so I know exactly what it is for a toy company to do incredibly stupid things that don't make sense. lol That said though, it's way too early at this point to be making any judgment calls about the theme ending. The Hobbit hasn't even hit theaters yet, and I expect we'll see a sudden surge in LotR interest when it does. Agreed.
deskp Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) "doin really really well" is relative, if it was always planned for a 1 wave theme, then maybe its doing well as a 1 wave theme. If it is the end of lotr then I must say they could have released some other set than "orc forge" For example something with Faramir and his rangers, wouldn't require any new molds. or maybe they just needed a 'boring' set so they wouldn't hide away the good stuff for all consumers. LOTR was the big lisenced theme summer 2012,summer 2013 'the lone ranger' will take that spot. Either way, if it is going to end I would think a D2C set would be in order, it sounds like soemthing lotr lego fans would be highly interested in. ___ Radagast, lets hope hes a hobbit wave 2 minifig. Edited September 17, 2012 by deskp
Durins Bane Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Radagast, lets hope hes a hobbit wave 2 minifig. I love wizards
Artanis I Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) Here's another Moria orc variation: Head from Monster Fighters Edited September 17, 2012 by Artanis I
Durins Bane Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Here's another Moria orc variation: Head from Monster Fighters I think it would be great for a dead goblin!
BrickBob Studpants Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Either way, if it is going to end I would think a D2C set would be in order, it sounds like soemthing lotr lego fans would be highly interested in. Speaking of D2C sets, we haven't heard anything about next years D2C set, have we? If you take a look at the D2C sets we've had in recent years, a LOTR one seems very likely (the last ones being based on Kingdoms, Harry Potter, Pirates and Castle). Besides, what other theme could it be from? Monster Fighters has already got a big exclusive set, Friends seems incredibly unlikely, Ninjago is already rumoured to get a decent send-off with 6 new sets, Superheroes would be next to impossible as TLG is apparently trying to even out the amount of Marvel and DC based sets (thus we'd need two D2C sets to settle the score) and the remaining themes don't appear to be fitting for such a set. If I recall correctly, the D2C sets are usually revealed around October, so it shouldn't take to long now...
deskp Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Speaking of D2C sets, we haven't heard anything about next years D2C set, have we? If you take a look at the D2C sets we've had in recent years, a LOTR one seems very likely (the last ones being based on Kingdoms, Harry Potter, Pirates and Castle). Besides, what other theme could it be from? Monster Fighters has already got a big exclusive set, Friends seems incredibly unlikely, Ninjago is already rumoured to get a decent send-off with 6 new sets, Superheroes would be next to impossible as TLG is apparently trying to even out the amount of Marvel and DC based sets (thus we'd need two D2C sets to settle the score) and the remaining themes don't appear to be fitting for such a set. If I recall correctly, the D2C sets are usually revealed around October, so it shouldn't take to long now... We'll see what happens with the Cuusoo summer review sets soonish.
Recommended Posts