LOTR & The Hobbit 2013 Set Discussion

[Brick Fiend]

We should actually find a PJ source that confirms it's the Witch-King, because the crowns actually don't match.

Going from memory only, but I'm reasonably certain that he (PJ) explicitly states that this is the case in the directors commentary for The Hobbit extended edition DVD. It's during the scene where Radagast encounters him ( Witch King/ Twilight Ringwraith) at Dol Guldur.

[phanstasm]

This way of making special minifigures have been around since they started making Chewbakka. But no thers not been released any making of features for this wave yet.

Right, thanks. I was hoping someone knew which Lego staff member designed Azog. Also, if that designer had a Flickr account where they might have some concept art for the Azog minifigure (sort of like what Mark Stafford does with some sketch models).

Another board member in the Dol Guldur Battle review suggested Azog should have had bulkier shoulders (like the Gundabad orc shoulder armor). That, and shortening the claw arm and curving the claw so Azog could hold things, would have been very cool.

Edited December 5, 2013 by phanstasm

[deskp]

Another board member in the Dol Guldur Battle review suggested Azog should have had bulkier shoulders (like the Gundabad orc shoulder armor). That, and shortening the claw arm and curving the claw so Azog could hold things, would have been very cool.

The problem with that is it would seem too much like the shoudelr muscle was floating on top of his arm. A shorter iron hook/hand would have been better, they could have emoved one of those 2 studded sections in my opinion.

I "modded" together a Captain of the Laketown guard figure. Perhaps as a suggestion to people who intend to aquire a bunch of Laketown guards, who might need someone to lead their troops.

The head is from Dan reid.

Edited December 5, 2013 by deskp

[Moexy]

Looks really good deskp, let's hope we get an official one (although the chance is really slim).

Never thought I was going to like Thranduil's minifigure, but it is now my favourite Hobbit figure till date (together with Haldir for LOTR)!

[TheLegoDr]

Awesome work on the Laketown Guard. He looks really neat. Between Bard or the guard are my two favorites of this theme. Although they did miss the mark with Bard "the no quiver" bowman. That Qui-Gon hair is perfect, but won't accommodate a quiver. They really need to make a new quiver mold that is thinner in the middle section so certain hair peices (*ahem* elf hair *ahem*) and Bard's hair would work with it. Legolas and Bard both NEED quivers, yet neither can have one. Very odd.

[Mutant Orc]

I thought Qui-gon hair did fit a normal quiver with the head turned at a slight angle...

[Blazej_Holen]

Right, thanks. I was hoping someone knew which Lego staff member designed Azog. Also, if that designer had a Flickr account where they might have some concept art for the Azog minifigure (sort of like what Mark Stafford does with some sketch models).

Another board member in the Dol Guldur Battle review suggested Azog should have had bulkier shoulders (like the Gundabad orc shoulder armor). That, and shortening the claw arm and curving the claw so Azog could hold things, would have been very cool.

I think that original Azog is betterthan the other one on first picture.. The figure seems just right, btw in original movie he also cannot use his prostetic arm to hold something. Maybe stab something, but definitely not for holding... :)

[Deathleech]

Another board member in the Dol Guldur Battle review suggested Azog should have had bulkier shoulders (like the Gundabad orc shoulder armor). That, and shortening the claw arm and curving the claw so Azog could hold things, would have been very cool.

If his shoulders were bulkier like in your edited version, his arm's couldn't be raised fully? I do agree with his claw being more curved to hold things though, I suggested it myself awhile back. The claw already has a slight curve so why not make it curve enough to hold things? guess it wouldn't make sense since he can't grasp things with it in the film, but in the film it looks different anyways and is more spiky (I am sure Lego rounded it for safety).

[Gryphon Ink]

Awesome work on the Laketown Guard. He looks really neat. Between Bard or the guard are my two favorites of this theme. Although they did miss the mark with Bard "the no quiver" bowman. That Qui-Gon hair is perfect, but won't accommodate a quiver. They really need to make a new quiver mold that is thinner in the middle section so certain hair peices (*ahem* elf hair *ahem*) and Bard's hair would work with it. Legolas and Bard both NEED quivers, yet neither can have one. Very odd.

Bard is like Chuck Norris. He only needs ONE arrow. (Yes, I know he really fired more than one arrow - but only one really counted!)

[General Magma]

Bard is like Chuck Norris. He only needs ONE arrow. (Yes, I know he really fired more than one arrow - but only one really counted!)

Well, for some reason I doubt they're still going that way with the movie. For the book it worked, but on film you just can't show an enormous dragon like Smaug

being killed off with one miserable arrow, very conveniently hitting "just the right spot". I actually believe they're keeping Smaug in there for a longer while to 'grant' him a better end.

[Seaber]

With regards to Braga, the Lake Town Guard Captain, turning the Lake-town Guard's torso round and adding a cape would be more accurate I think.

[Gryphon Ink]

Well, for some reason I doubt they're still going that way with the movie. For the book it worked, but on film you just can't show an enormous dragon like Smaug

being killed off with one miserable arrow, very conveniently hitting "just the right spot". I actually believe they're keeping Smaug in there for a longer while to 'grant' him a better end.

For the record, I agree with you on every point. I was just joking around.

[Fives]

Well, for some reason I doubt they're still going that way with the movie. For the book it worked, but on film you just can't show an enormous dragon like Smaug

being killed off with one miserable arrow, very conveniently hitting "just the right spot". I actually believe they're keeping Smaug in there for a longer while to 'grant' him a better end.

While the Black Arrow is kind of a really simple, easy, and unbelievable plot device, I think that it is crucial to the story. Sure, some people who aren't fans will feel like its a copout, but its too iconic to disregard. I could see them tweaking the reason why it works, maybe making it somehow magic, or maybe Elven, or something like that. But it has to be there.

Also, that makeshift Braga is brilliant. Now I really wish I had that Dan Reid head.

[Deathleech]

While the Black Arrow is kind of a really simple, easy, and unbelievable plot device, I think that it is crucial to the story. Sure, some people who aren't fans will feel like its a copout, but its too iconic to disregard. I could see them tweaking the reason why it works, maybe making it somehow magic, or maybe Elven, or something like that. But it has to be there.

I always thought Bard killing Smaug with the black arrow from the book was one of the most ridiculous things ever. Even if Smaug's stomach is soft (you figure it can't be softer than human skin, even on his belly), he is so huge a single normal air shouldn't of brought him down. How many arrows did a cave troll take to kill, or even a Mumakil to it's stomach and they are a fraction of the size Smaug is. I thought it was especially odd Tolkien mentions it's a black arrow (handed down to him?), but goes out of his way to note it posses no special properties iirc.

I can't imagine Peter Jackson following this verbatim so I would agree with you. I think PJ will make the black arrow magical or special in some way. It just makes sense and is an easy plot change. That or maybe Bard will shoot a huge arrow from one of the bolt throwers? Either way I can't see him sticking directly to the book here, he has to make it more believable in some way.

Edited December 6, 2013 by Deathleech

[Fives]

I'd be upset if the used one of those small ballistas. That is even more of a copout that a special arrow. I could imagine Legolas or Thranduil somehow, at some point, forging and giving Bard a special Elven arrow.

Plus, they'll have to make a big deal out of Bard's lineage. He is a descendant of Girion, so thats gotta count for something.

Anyway, this is getting off topic. I'd say lets move this conversation over to the movie discussion thread.

[Alcarin]

I always thought Bard killing Smaug with the black arrow from the book was one of the most ridiculous things ever. Even if Smaug's stomach is soft (you figure it can't be softer than human skin, even on his belly), he is so huge a single normal air shouldn't of brought him down. How many arrows did a cave troll take to kill, or even a Mumakil to it's stomach and they are a fraction of the size Smaug is. I thought it was especially odd Tolkien mentions it's a black arrow (handed down to him?), but goes out of his way to note it posses no special properties iirc.

I can't imagine Peter Jackson following this verbatim so I would agree with you. I think PJ will make the black arrow magical or special in some way. It just makes sense and is an easy plot change. That or maybe Bard will shoot a huge arrow from one of the bolt throwers? Either way I can't see him sticking directly to the book here, he has to make it more believable in some way.

Oh so dwarfs falling half a kilometer down the cave in Goblin King caves is fully believable but an Arrow killing a DRAGON is not....

I think some people need a reality check .... ITS ALL FICTION lol

[deskp]

With regards to Braga, the Lake Town Guard Captain, turning the Lake-town Guard's torso round and adding a cape would be more accurate I think.

The "problem" with that is that the Armor plate on his back is not spectacular enough for him, Yes you lose the button things but he comes of as as a lower class than the rest of the guards.

--- With regards to Bard/Smaug, bard has been seen carrying around one of those ballista "arrows" in Laketown. Perhaps he'll use it with a ballista, or perhaps he will forge it into normal arrrows.

Edited December 6, 2013 by deskp

[Ardelon]

Or maybe Legolas will somehow surf down Smaugs neck and shoot him in the back of the head...

[Deathleech]

Oh so dwarfs falling half a kilometer down the cave in Goblin King caves is fully believable but an Arrow killing a DRAGON is not....

I think some people need a reality check .... ITS ALL FICTION lol

Being fiction is one thing. Having things break the rules of physics or proportions is totally another thing. Ya dragons and dwarves and elves are all made up but they all have boundaries they live by in the world. A dragon the size of a huge freight ship being killed by a single wooden arrow fired from a bow is absolutely resiculous. It is like bringing down an African elephant with a BB gun.

As for the dwarves falling down kilometers in Goblin Town and Legolas surfing a Mumakil, those are both Peter Jackson added things and I totally hate them as well. They are way to cartoony IMO.

[Alcarin]

Being fiction is one thing. Having things break the rules of physics or proportions is totally another thing. Ya dragons and dwarves and elves are all made up but they all have boundaries they live by in the world. A dragon the size of a huge freight ship being killed by a single wooden arrow fired from a bow is absolutely resiculous. It is like bringing down an African elephant with a BB gun.

As for the dwarves falling down kilometers in Goblin Town and Legolas surfing a Mumakil, those are both Peter Jackson added things and I totally hate them as well. They are way to cartoony IMO.

So you think if jackson adding a crazy kilometer falling and surviving thing he will think 1 arrow killing Smaug is out of proportion? :P

Kinda contradicts himself then LOL

[thefyfe]

Guys there's a dragon that talks - and it's all about one small weak spot where a scale is missing - it's not just hit him with an arrow and he'll die - it's about the skill needed and the precision of aim to get something into the small gap!the arrow already has enough gravitas if

Portrayed as in the book and bards lineage makes him the man to make the hard shot!pj better leave that in - one of best bits of novel!

[phanstasm]

The problem with that is it would seem too much like the shoulder muscle was floating on top of his arm.

That's true.

If his shoulders were bulkier like in your edited version, his arm's couldn't be raised fully?

Well, my Photoshop is terrible, I know, but I thought they could have done it like the Gundabad orc armor, but without so much empty space on the sides. Or, just close the gap a bit more between the upper arm and head covering. Just something to make the neck to arm transition more smooth.

In any case, now that I have Azog in my hands I actually like the figure a lot more.

I "modded" together a Captain of the Laketown guard figure. Perhaps as a suggestion to people who intend to aquire a bunch of Laketown guards, who might need someone to lead their troops.

Nice idea! Looks great!

Edited December 6, 2013 by phanstasm

[ZCerberus]

My God- you guys are too intense.

Some more LEGO talk please!

[Dr.Cogg]

I just hope Lego makes a Smaug, in an Exclusive set this year (the lady in the M-tv video did say 5 sets) or at least one in next years sets.

P.S. maybe Bard will deliver the final blow.

Edited December 6, 2013 by Dr.Cogg

[Deathleech]

So you think if jackson adding a crazy kilometer falling and surviving thing he will think 1 arrow killing Smaug is out of proportion? :P

Kinda contradicts himself then LOL

Not really. They are unbelievable for different reasons. The PJ stuff is over the top and added to give a ton of action. Bard killing Smaug with a single arrow is the exact opposite, it's not believable because it seems so impossible and simple (yes, yes, I know it's a dragon we are talking about here). They actually are opposite ends of the spectrum, one is over the top and the other is anti climatic and very bland. I don't like either for different reasons.

Guys there's a dragon that talks - and it's all about one small weak spot where a scale is missing - it's not just hit him with an arrow and he'll die - it's about the skill needed and the precision of aim to get something into the small gap!the arrow already has enough gravitas if

Portrayed as in the book and bards lineage makes him the man to make the hard shot!pj better leave that in - one of best bits of novel!

Actually he still has his scales on his stomach, it's just the dragon's stomach is the softest part on their body. The spot Bard hits is the only part on Smaug's stomach where the gold he lays on hasn't been encrusted onto his skin.

Oh ya, and I really hope we get a Smaug D2C set late December or early January. Because you know, Lego

Edited December 6, 2013 by Deathleech