LOTR & The Hobbit 2013 Set Discussion

[deskp]

I'm not so sure about this. Sure, it is only released on a licenced set so far, but it does not necessarily mean the mold itself is licensed; Dwalin's beard/hair design doesn't likely have any copyrights. Many hairpieces, for example Dastan's, Mutt's or Irina Spalko's hair, have been originally been only in licensed set, but have later circulated into LEGO's own themes. Of course pieces such Darth Vader's helmet that have their own copyrights can't be released on the unlicensed sets.

The dagger of time is in a hobbit set.

Anyways, I think Dwalins beard might be used for some Random dwarf soldiers in the future. It accomadates a helmet AND it shows of the torso print.

Anwyays I really hope we get atleast 1 Elf soldier, 1 Laketown soldier, and 1 dwarf soldier.

Do you guys think they will still use the tired old orc minifig in 2013's hobbit sets?

Edited April 20, 2013 by deskp

[Kez]

Do you guys think they will still use the tired old orc minifig in 2013's hobbit sets?

I don't reckon we'll se that Orc minifigure as often, there could be new prints on the orcs assuming that they are in some hobbit sets but in the attack of the WARGS set they gave them new printed legs so who isn't to say that we'll see new printed torsos and heads

[deskp]

I don't reckon we'll se that Orc minifigure as often, there could be new prints on the orcs assuming that they are in some hobbit sets but in the attack of the WARGS set they gave them new printed legs so who isn't to say that we'll see new printed torsos and heads

That was just a reuse of the goblin legs so I don't count them as a new orc piece really. They do work nicely for the hobbit orcs tho!

[Hrw-Amen]

I would have easily tripled those numbers if Lego released them as battle packs instead, but I'm sure most FOLs (kids especially) aren't too interested in army building. Thus, I can understand Lego's reasoning for releasing the sets the way they have. If you army build then you end up with a lot of extra pieces, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

That was the very thing that i wanted to do as a kid or certainly in my teenage years. I still do now but unlike then I can now afford it. I think the main reason kids don't do that has nothing to do with 'want' but everything to do with cost. It certainly was the case when I was growing up, can't see that it would have changed that much?

[Str0ngbad]

I'm not so sure about this. Sure, it is only released on a licenced set so far, but it does not necessarily mean the mold itself is licensed; Dwalin's beard/hair design doesn't likely have any copyrights. Many hairpieces, for example Dastan's, Mutt's or Irina Spalko's hair, have been originally been only in licensed set, but have later circulated into LEGO's own themes. Of course pieces such Darth Vader's helmet that have their own copyrights can't be released on the unlicensed sets.

I really hope you're right but I'm afraid it will be licensed; much like I'm rather certain the elf hair will be. Nothing for it but to wait and see though. I expect to get Thranduil, Legolas, Tauriel and at least one generic elf in the next wave; three of those might just be in re-released (preview) sets. It's surprising to me that Thranduil wasn't in a preview set or made into an action figure last year. The movie was originally supposed to end after the barrel escape, right? Yet no one began production of him for some reason.

[deskp]

I really hope you're right but I'm afraid it will be licensed; much like I'm rather certain the elf hair will be. Nothing for it but to wait and see though. I expect to get Thranduil, Legolas, Tauriel and at least one generic elf in the next wave; three of those might just be in re-released (preview) sets. It's surprising to me that Thranduil wasn't in a preview set or made into an action figure last year. The movie was originally supposed to end after the barrel escape, right? Yet no one began production of him for some reason.

Thranduil didn't fin into any of the sets lego made. As for the the action figure situation. The rest of the dwarves and Radagast wasnt made into action figures till 2013 so they are just being curious with how they release stuff.

Also I think at some point Thranduil was supposed to be somewhat secret. he only showed up in 1 callendar or something.

Shouldn't we star hearing of set names for the upcoming sets soon? we know ffor the first wave well before comic con right?

[BrickG]

Where's my nazghoul or whatever the crap those flying things are called?

[Leo604]

Where's my nazghoul or whatever the crap those flying things are called?

Fell beasts; I assume they'll be in the next wave if at all. Hopefully not completely brick built though

[Deathleech]

They're only revisiting the 'important' characters from the fellowship this year (unless a couple hobbits show up in Orthanc) so it doesn't seem like they're trying to take the 'half now and half later approach' with them. Their approach to the Hobbit may be totally different though. Can't wait to see!

The second LotR wave has Gandalf, Frodo, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas in it which is five of the nine Fellpwship and just over half. At least two of them are new prints.

Do you guys think they will still use the tired old orc minifig in 2013's hobbit sets?

I hope at the very least they re-use the Goblin King Battle goblins, or some parts. If we get more Mordor Orcs identicle to the Orc Forge set with Uruk-hai armor I will be very annoyed.

[Delta 38]

The second LotR wave has Gandalf, Frodo, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas in it which is five of the nine Fellpwship and just over half. At least two of them are new prints.

And the new variants (Gandalf and Aragorn) are also available in their standard outfits.

Hmm, that's an interesting idea because the Fellowship does split up, so it wouldn't be hard to have half of the Fellowship in this wave, and the other half in the next.

Merry and Pippin, for example, could both be in a Treebeard set. Or they could be in Minas Tirith/Pelennor Fields sets. In both cases, the other members of the Fellowship aren't necessarily present and wouldn't need to be rereleased.

The Hobbit is a bit of a different matter, I think. Nine characters is reasonable but thirteen is pushing it, even if they're spread over two waves.

[Good Cragger Fan]

I believe the blister packs have only been available in Lego shops or S@H? I'm not sure that you're aware, but there are no Lego shops here, and S@H products are at full price + prohibitive postage charge for us. It just isn't worth buying those things at @$50-60 all up + 2-3 week delay. Especially when the individual minifigs are cheaper on BL than the price of the set without postage. I picked up the Kingdoms ones because I'd placed a big order, and man, was the quality different to the regular sets' minifigs. (You know, the made-in-China argument.) The POTC and AC packs were useless, you could get those minifigs in the cheap sets + parts for a decent price. No wonder no one bought any.

The boxed minifig sets are available everywhere that stocks Lego. That includes the current SW type, and the traditional "minifig + accessories only" for unlicenced themes (unfortunately these days that means City, in previous decades that meant everything). I'm not a fan of the SW style (4 minifigs + small pile of crap for $23) but understand the Hasbro thing there. What am I saying? Not sure. I want to army build, and I prefer boxed minifig sets. I think that's it, they're easier to get hold of and an affordable way to beef up your armies without compromising consistency in plastic or printing. If they had those for castle or somehow for LOTR I would be all over that...

"Artanis I", yes, the blister "battle packs" were (and still are) only sold in LEGO brand Retail Stores and on LEGO Shop-At-Home (whether it be through the catalogue's mail-order, over the telephone or on the website diidn't (and still doesn't) matter there), which is a real shame as most countries did not (and still do not) have LEGO Brand Retail Stores, them including Canada (until mid 2010 (and then only one, in Calgary)). [There was not a single LEGO Brand Retail Store in British Columbia until April of last year, which meant that me in getting almost all of the blister "battle packs" that I wanted then (except the most recent ones) was very difficult then, if not impossible then, unless I took a (vacation) trip down to the US (which I had to stay overnight for more than one night (which added more costs for hotel, airfare and/or cruise ship accomedations) in order for me to buy any LEGO in the US and take back to Canada duty-free in cost), which I only could do once a year! .]

I am also not a fan of the cheap Chinese plastic of the blister "battle packs". However, at least for the Kingdoms and Fantasy-Era Castle themes, I was able to work around it by me treating the made-in-China minifigures as foot soldier officers for the foot soldier Crown Knights (as for the Crown Knights knights, I couldn't really tell if they were made in China or somewhere else, as the torsos were plain in decoration and so would have no mark on the neck no matter where in the world in which they would be made there), and as royal guards (for the Lion Knights) and body guards (for the Dragon Knights), as two-thirds of the infantry (the other third was a regular foot soldier) in both Kingdoms blister "battle packs" wear the wide-brimmed kettle helmet -- for me not to mention the pawns in the Kingdoms Chess set -- which I only use on the Lion royal guards and the Dragon body guards in my Kingdoms' Lion and Dragon armies, as they can (and do) have a silghtly different uniform on their torsos in compared to my regular Lion and Dragon infantry (which none of them are made in China).

"Alcarin", it seems like LEGO is treating all countries (like yours) that do not have official LEGO Brand Retail Stores and, especially, countries that do not even have LEGO Shop-At-Home as "basket cases" and/or "banana republics" (which means third world and/or developing or undevolped countries), which means that LEGO is disrespecting them and is not held accountable to them. (Canada was treated like this until LEGO opened up its first official LEGO Brand Retail Store in the summer of 2010 in Calgary, Alberta; but LEGO is still a lot more expensive here in Canada than in the US, even in the LEGO Brand Retail Stores that are here, and, in regular stores that do sell LEGO, the discounts are quite often not as good as in the US. )

Edited April 21, 2013 by Good Cragger Fan

[Deathleech]

Hmm, that's an interesting idea because the Fellowship does split up, so it wouldn't be hard to have half of the Fellowship in this wave, and the other half in the next.

Merry and Pippin, for example, could both be in a Treebeard set. Or they could be in Minas Tirith/Pelennor Fields sets. In both cases, the other members of the Fellowship aren't necessarily present and wouldn't need to be released

Great point and that is just more reasoning that Lego might be doing a third LotR wave with a lot of Gondor inspired sets. Maybe we will see Pippin in his Gondor attire and in a Minas Tirith set, Merry in his Rohan outfit with Eomer vs the Witch King on Fel Beast, and Boromir again in a Balrog set? Of course we could always see the two Hobbits in an Ent Set like you mention. That just leaves Samwise not featured in any additional sets....

Edited April 21, 2013 by Deathleech

[Str0ngbad]

I can't imagine there not being a set with Frodo in the third wave so that would take care of Sam. It's mainly Boromir that's hard to place. There are a couple options; the balrog as you mentioned and the parting of the fellowship, but not many. I also expect Gandalf, Legolas, Aragorn and probably Gimli to be in each wave simply because they're more recognizable/popular characters which is why I don't see this wave as having 'the first half' of the Fellowship. I hope you all are right though as I'd love to get a second set of the Fellowship.

[deskp]

I can't imagine there not being a set with Frodo in the third wave so that would take care of Sam. It's mainly Boromir that's hard to place.

I hope if need need another Frodo that He's in a set with Faramir!

As for Boromir, we don't need more of him he died in the first movie after all.

[Cammo]

I hope if need need another Frodo that He's in a set with Faramir!

As for Boromir, we don't need more of him he died in the first movie after all.

That's why I think he was ideal for the Elrond's Council set. Although I'm not complaining because I have him already.

[deskp]

That's why I think he was ideal for the Elrond's Council set. Although I'm not complaining because I have him already.

Youre right, He'd be so much better than frodo in that set.

[Deathleech]

I hope if need need another Frodo that He's in a set with Faramir!

As for Boromir, we don't need more of him he died in the first movie after all.

Well technically so did Gandalf the Gray (and several scenes before Boromir), but he has already been in a couple of sets. Of course it's a bit different since Gandalf players a much bigger role and comes back as Gandalf the White. As for Boromir, I agree there aren't a ton of sets he can appear in since he dies off fairly early and isn't in a ton of important or action packed scenes. A Balrog set, Amon Hen, and The Council of Elrond would be it, unless Lego decides to make a really obscure set which he could be included in again.

Personally I don't really want to see him again, or any of the Fellowship for that matter, but I know kids and AFOLS getting into the line late need some options. With that being said I wouldn't mind seeing another option for Boromir. I would much rather see him than a fifth and sixth Aragorn/Gimli. As for Frodo/Sam, an Osgiliath set with Faramir would be good, or a Mount Doom set could also be done. Other than that I don't think there are a ton of options to include Samwise so we may not see many/any more of him than we already have.

[The_Chosen_1]

I would still love to see an armored Boromir: http://img-nex.theonering.net/images/scrapbook/orig/8370_orig.jpg

Although I suppose he wouldn't be difficult to make if we ever get Gondorian soldiers...

[Brickadiergerard]

A wave 3 Frodo and Sam in orc armour would be fantastic. "Escape from the tower of Cirith Ungol" - Shagrat, another random orc (Gorbag in the book), Frodo and Sam and then some random bricks that are meant to represent an enormous building. Kind of like the evil version of "The Council of Elrond" I suppose.

[bricklayer7]

Some men of gondor and a trebuchet wouldn't go a miss and a mordor siege tower being pushed by a cave troll in armour. Still need some lothlorien elves for helms deep and more men of rohan.

[Faefrost]

"Alcarin", it seems like LEGO is treating all countries (like yours) that do not have official LEGO Brand Retail Stores and, especially, countries that do not even have LEGO Shop-At-Home as "basket cases" and/or "banana republics" (which means third world and/or developing or undevolped countries), which means that LEGO is disrespecting them and is not held accountable to them. (Canada was treated like this until LEGO opened up its first official LEGO Brand Retail Store in the summer of 2010 in Calgary, Alberta;

Really!?!!!! I mean really? Lego as a company is "disrespecting" those countries that for reasons of economics, sane managed business growth, and outright sound fiscal sanity it has not yet expanded to include a direct business presence in, and it views or treats them as " banana republics". Wow! And they treated Canada as a Banana Republic? Uh huh.

I'm sorry but the mixture of shear economic ignorance with childish narcissistic demand in those statements is just staggering. Lego is a business. They move where and how the international logistics and production chain make it viable to do, at the volumes and costs that they need. The Lego brand stores are a small subset of their business which they are expanding cautiously in high volume areas and markets. A business cannot be everywhere at once. They have to grow and expand to reach that over a very long time. That growth is slow, and often requires certain infrastructures both local and in international transport, be in place beforehand. And there has to be an anticipation of a sufficient viable local demand. Not just one kid screaming "iwantitiwantitiwantit! Do not disrespect meh!" Like Cartman from South Park. Lego will eventually expand to places such as were Alarcin lives. It is a matter of natural business growth, not just desire. The same rules, barriers and frustrations apply to all companies when they seek to expand as international consumer products. Coke and Pepsi had the same limitations as Lego. As does Nike and a host of other well known brands. The growth follows conservative rules of ecomonics limited by how much they can afford to grow at a time. Nothing more, nothing less.

As far as Lego in Canada. I suggest you go read some of Lego Historians wonderful threads covering said history and Samsonite. If so you may discover that Canada was one of the first countries that Lego rushed to get themselves into. And in doing so boxed themselves into contracts that limited them for decades until they were able to buy them back. Canada was the poster child for what happens if you rush to grow.

Edited April 21, 2013 by Faefrost

[deskp]

A wave 3 Frodo and Sam in orc armour would be fantastic. "Escape from the tower of Cirith Ungol" - Shagrat, another random orc (Gorbag in the book), Frodo and Sam and then some random bricks that are meant to represent an enormous building. Kind of like the evil version of "The Council of Elrond" I suppose.

I'd much rather have them give us new characthers than waste molds and prints on old ones.

[Fives]

The best place for Boromir is Amon Hen. The set could include Boromir, Merry and Pippin, Lurtz in his armour (maybe with new hair, or just Thorin's hair), and a couple Uruks. It could have the Seeing Seat, a few trees, maybe a little catapult function to launch rocks at the Uruks (a play feature based on the fact that the Hobbits threw stones), and maybe a new horn of Gondor, either a new piece or made of smaller pieces.

Anyways, there are plenty of options for future sets that we should get a variety of characters in their different outfits.

[WEREWOLF]

how soon will we start seeing The Hobbit 2013 sets

[just2good]

how soon will we start seeing The Hobbit 2013 sets

SDCC, so in July.