LEGO LotR - general discussion

[Deathleech]

In the meantime I could catch up with this theme because I still need to buy most of the new Hobbit DoS sets, Uruk-hai Army, Orc Forge & The Black gate... And those last 3 seem to be disappearing faster than they should.

They have been out over a year and a half and only started disappearing a few months ago. Their run was pretty good considering most sets only last on shelves around a year?

Thats the whole point.... most arguments that came back to me include ''show better that is ECONOMICALLY possible'' and that actually ruins all good, bad, okish, arguing because Noone said it has to fill a 140$ or 120$ or 90$ etc.... A cuusoo project is limited in 10.000 or 20.000 anyway... so Why could we not think of a 500$ 20.000 limited run Minas Tirith... that is actually Minas Tirith....

Because that's not realistic at all? Even for a theme like Star Wars which has been around a decade and a merchandising juggernaut, Lego has only done a few huge sets. The biggest are sets like the Death Star and Super Star Destroyer and they topped out at $400. Why would Lego make a $500 set for a theme obviously not as popular and that has only been out a year and a half? Did Star Wars, even being a break out hit for Lego, get a $400 set after a year and a half? No. A $500 Minas Tirith would appeal mostly to AFOLS (a lot of kids aren't going to be able to afford it or want to even invest that much money when they could buy other things), but when you start getting that high in price you really alienate more and more people adults too. Not everyone is going to want to spend $500 on a single set. That could buy 2-3 entire waves in other Lego product.

You keep bringing up the fact that the Cuusoo project only has 2400 hundred votes but maybe that's due to other factors? For instance poor word of mouth? I haven't seen Nuju get the word out much like some people do for their projects. Maybe it's due to price? Like I said before, $500 really limits the market and even at $250 there would be lots of people unable to afford it.

Personally I don't think the Cussoo project has a chance to be made into a real set, even if it got the 10,000 supports. I have never seen Lego make a Cuusoo project even half that big. It also wouldn't have any new molds like for the Gondor Soldiers which would severely lessen it's appeal. The most it might have is the Gondor print, which I suppose is better than nothing? I think the project has it's issues such the catapults and trebuchets are too big when the pieces could be used to give the walls more height, and there isn't enough detail on the walls. I still think it is an amazing attempt at a REAL set Lego could actually do. Everything is condensed and small, but you still get a good idea for a more affordable price. If you wanted to bad enough you could buy 2 and just use the pieces from the second to MOC another level or two in the city and make other things like the top bigger with more houses?

[Brickadiergerard]

The clearest things that suggest to me there'll be a 3rd LOTR wave are the contents of wave 2, the absence of Gondor from waves 1 or 2, that ancient photo of the design studio with a balrog in it (alongside lots of other Middle-Earth stuff that has made it into set form), and the loopiness of a decision to quit the range at this stage having bought the licence for all the films. The whole 2 into 3 films and then the fluctuating release dates for TABA must have played havoc with TLG's planned set release schedule. So I'm going to be patient, trust to logic, and wait.

Having just watched DOS, I am more positive about the Dol Guldur Battle set - it's not such a bad reflection of the scenes - but Ambush? Wave 2's weird hybrid set.

[SirBlake]

The clearest things that suggest to me there'll be a 3rd LOTR wave are the contents of wave 2, the absence of Gondor from waves 1 or 2, that ancient photo of the design studio with a balrog in it (alongside lots of other Middle-Earth stuff that has made it into set form), and the loopiness of a decision to quit the range at this stage having bought the licence for all the films. The whole 2 into 3 films and then the fluctuating release dates for TABA must have played havoc with TLG's planned set release schedule. So I'm going to be patient, trust to logic, and wait.

Very well said! I completely agree.

[Faefrost]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is unlikely that any Minas Tirith CuuSoo project will see production. No way no how. Minas Tirith is such an important, clear and obvious element of the movies that it is surely already covered under the existing licensing agreement with WB and New Line. As such chances are the license will preclude anyone's third party designs or royalties. If the license has already expired or the line discontinued that it is extremely unlikely that TLG will go back and seek a limited renewal just for one fan set. They would have already done reams of analysis of the line and its business case before opting not to continue it. It's a world of difference from BttF. For us to see a Minas Tirith set it will have to come from the internal Middle Earth design group. Not CuuSoo.

As far as Alcarin's "more accurate" Minas Tirith display piece. While more accurate, it has kind of a self defeating niche market attached to it. It would be looking for the convergence point of LotR fans and Architecture fans in order to create a set with no play features, no minifigs and no swooshability. It's a paperweight. A very nice paperweight. But is there honestly enough of a market out there for such to justify it? It would probably have more purchasers looking for an assortment of white bricks than it would have LotR fans. How well did odd minifigless scales work out for the Star Wars Midi Scale ships?

The clearest things that suggest to me there'll be a 3rd LOTR wave are the contents of wave 2, the absence of Gondor from waves 1 or 2, that ancient photo of the design studio with a balrog in it (alongside lots of other Middle-Earth stuff that has made it into set form), and the loopiness of a decision to quit the range at this stage having bought the licence for all the films. The whole 2 into 3 films and then the fluctuating release dates for TABA must have played havoc with TLG's planned set release schedule. So I'm going to be patient, trust to logic, and wait.

Having just watched DOS, I am more positive about the Dol Guldur Battle set - it's not such a bad reflection of the scenes - but Ambush? Wave 2's weird hybrid set.

It would not surprise me to see a single combined release of 4 or 5 remaining sets. Mixed between LotR and Hobbit. Basically each sub theme seeing a half wave. How much could they have held back when the movies were split to 3? I don't think they would have gone back to design a lot of new sets at that point. They might have simply chosen to stretch the planned 2 releases of each into 3.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Faefrost

[Risgrynsgrot]

That's a good point. Maybe LEGO originally planned two Hobbit waves for each movie with about 7-8 sets, and two LOTR waves with about 7-8 sets in the middle (summer)

So maybe, if we're lucky, we'll get a final wave consisting of like 4 Hobbit sets and 3 LOTR sets

[Deathleech]

That's a good point. Maybe LEGO originally planned two Hobbit waves for each movie with about 7-8 sets, and two LOTR waves with about 7-8 sets in the middle (summer)

So maybe, if we're lucky, we'll get a final wave consisting of like 4 Hobbit sets and 3 LOTR sets

I guess it's possible. If Lego were planning on only 2 LotR waves and had the split the second up to make room for a third when the Hobbit films were split into 3, why did they also release Orthanc? The second wave was suppose to have 7 sets (one of which might have cost even more than Pirate Ship Ambush's $100?) and a big $200 D2C set? That seems very unlikely. I mean maybe Orthanc was suppose to be released later on and they pushed it up, but I just don't know.

[Dr.Cogg]

You mean this picture.

[Risgrynsgrot]

Okay, that's totally a Balrog on the bottom left.

[Floundie]

You mean this picture.

Here's the whole image,

Is that Lothlorien under Shelob?

[BrickBob Studpants]

As expected, Brickbeard's ship for the LEGO movie seems to be a D2C set, so this basically rules out a Middle-earth one The D2C sets for this year are thus the Maersk Triple-E, the Parisian Restaurant, the Simpson House, Brickbeard's ship and two yet to be specified Star Wars sets... Doesn't leave much room for a Hobbit/LOTR one, now does it

[SMC]

yeah but it doesn't mean we will ever see the sets

Okay, that's totally a Balrog on the bottom left.

[Faefrost]

I guess it's possible. If Lego were planning on only 2 LotR waves and had the split the second up to make room for a third when the Hobbit films were split into 3, why did they also release Orthanc? The second wave was suppose to have 7 sets (one of which might have cost even more than Pirate Ship Ambush's $100?) and a big $200 D2C set? That seems very unlikely. I mean maybe Orthanc was suppose to be released later on and they pushed it up, but I just don't know.

I think we are still being overly optimistic about what if anything remains in the pipeline. I don't think its 3 or 4 sets for each LotR and the Hobbit. I think its 4 or 5 sets total for both combined. I don't think they would have held back more than 2 sets from LotR and 3 from Hobbit, to coincide with TABA. They might have padded it out just enough so that they only needed to extend one production wave rather than two.

Remember TLG schedules years in advance, and adding in two more Middle Earth waves to coincide with the extra movie means moving a lot of other stuff. Given that most of their other newer licences and themes that have run concurrently with the Middle Earth themes, seem to be doing crazy good (Friends, TMNT, Super Heroes, Disney Princesses, etc, not to mention the unprecedented fan demand that forced them to bring back Ninjago) there is probably not a lot of flex in the Lego production and marketing / shelf schedules right now. Granted LR, GS and Castle seem to be ending with no immediately apparent replacement beyond Lego movie stuff, and who knows what Chima has left in its run. So who knows where it all stands?

[Deathleech]

Well I doubt Lego could get away with just cutting waves in half and pushing sets back. Remember a lot of stuff was added to the movies and a lot changed around like Bolg's design. Lego surely had to come up with at least a few more sets to round out their waves and make some changes to existing ones. I do agree that there probably aren't a ton of sets left for either wave. I dunno if it's only 4 or 5 combined, but I definitely don't think it's more than 7 or 8 total for both. That leaves us with some very small waves next year.

[BrickBob Studpants]

According to this Hungarian site, we'll get three sets in October:

http://www.legomarka...=csoport&cs=153

79015: HUF 3855 (12€)

79017: HUF 10455 (35€)

79018: HUF 26575 (90€)

It doesn't specify names or what theme (Hobbit/LOTR) these belong to, but at least the prices are indicated

I guess those might be LOTR sets since the Hobbit sets surely will be released in December Besides, the prices don't seem to be that high (79018 seems to be as expensive as 79010), so Smaug surely isn't among those three sets

Edited January 1, 2014 by Lego-Freak

[just2good]

That's concerning that there's only three sets.

[SMC]

although it seems too soon for more hobbit sets but maybe not, 3 LOTR sets at the moment would be a good thing as we could be looking at none

one has a high price too

it would be very odd to only get 3 hobbit sets less odd if its LOTR but the date is not summer or winter?

[atreyu2112]

I don't think it will be a combined wave for both LotR & Hobbit. Hobbit will get it's own wave, either when the game comes out of just before the movie. I also really think there will be at least one more LotR wave.

[BrickBob Studpants]

Maybe these are pushed from Summer into fall in order not to distract from the second wave of LEGO movie sets? I'm pretty sure those are LOTR sets, the release date would be off if those are TABA sets and it would be way too early to already reveal the final Hobbit wave (those count as Winter releases and are thus not covered in the Summer retail catalogue)

Edit: So we should be able to start a 2014 thread soon, right?

Edited January 1, 2014 by Lego-Freak

[Faefrost]

Maybe these are pushed from Summer into fall in order not to distract from the second wave of LEGO movie sets? I'm pretty sure those are LOTR sets, the release date would be off if those are TABA sets and it would be way too early to already reveal the final Hobbit wave (those count as Winter releases and are thus not covered in the Summer retail catalogue)

Edit: So we should be able to start a 2014 thread soon, right?

Don't forget TABA's movie release date was also switched from late summer to Christmas very very late in the process. So it may be like the LR sets, and these were scheduled around the original movie release.

[wesker]

Three sets are better than none. As long as we get something covering Gondor along with Eowyn, Faramir and the Witch-King I'll be happy.

[Mr Breden]

Atleast we have something now (I think...), they do seem to have the army builder price point covered.

[Nagyzee]

It seems there will be at least 4 sets. Notice that 79016 is missing on the above list. Since they moved to 5 digits there should be no reason for holes like that so most likely it indicates a limited edition / store exclusive set. October as the release date is a bit late for LOTR but a bit to soon for the last wave of Hobbit. I really hope it turns out to be LOTR though. Hobbit sets are usually in the winter catalogue and not the summer one.

Going by the price points a big Helm's Deep-like Minas Tirith playset can be ruled out. Maybe it will feature as a wall element / gate with siege weapons attacking it.

[Deathleech]

At the top it says:

LEGO Gyűrűk Ura - Hobbit

Aren't these Hobbit sets...?

[General Magma]

I'm happy that we're at least getting three sets, but I think there should be another one as said by others before. Fingers crossed for the Witch-king, Éowyn, Gondorian soldiers, NEW ORCS, Faramir,

and more... Minas Tirith + a battlepack for it would be amazing. All the figures I named earlier and Gothmog would be totally great to have, as would any new orc besides Gothmog be.

Fingers crossed for this to turn out really well.

At the top it says:

LEGO Gyűrűk Ura - Hobbit

Aren't these Hobbit sets...?

I don't know what language exactly, but "Gyuruk ura" is a foreign translation for 'The Lord of the Rings'.

Just type it into Google and you'll see. And Hobbit sets have always been made for winter waves (so far at least),

because that's when the movies are released - the end of the previous sets' instruction booklets told us the next wave would conclude the Hobbit theme.

I doubt they would release those in October instead of when the hype reaches its peak... last year, people seemed to think there would be Hobbit sets coming for a summer wave,

but that turned out to be LOTR too. No confirmations as of yet, but I do think we're dealing with new LOTR sets here.

Edited January 1, 2014 by General Magma

[Deathleech]

Ahh, ok. Ya I was thinking about translating it but was too lazy, I guess I probably should of

It seems really weird to release these sets in October, but maybe that's just in Hungry and it will be sooner in other places? Like June as we have gotten the last three LotR waves? It does appear to be 4 sets (one must be a store exclusive, hence the number missing as others pointed out). The prices are also pretty interesting.. does this store usually have everything MSRP? I know the euro price has been the same number as the US dollar amount on recent Lego sets despite the euro being worth more. We haven't gotten a sets at any of those price points in either LotR or Hobbit wave as of yet. If they were hiking up the price it would make sense because then the prices would be $9.99, $29.99, and $79.99. That's about what TRU marks their stuff up, usually only a few bucks on small sets and on the bigger ones they really start marking their stuff up, easily passing 10 bucks when you get to the $100+ sets. 79016 is probably in the $19.99-24.99 price range.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Deathleech