LEGO LotR - general discussion

[deskp]

It's not like we can't just read the book (gasp! what are those things?) to find out what happens and who dies. And the trailers/ posters show what the set designs and costumes look like anyway, so what is Jackson really protecting?

Its how movie marketing works, Pj is showing alot more than msot movie productions does, so dont criticise him for that.

[Faefrost]

Sorry for not clarifying, I was referring to the specific Kingdoms subtheme that I believe had more to offer. As it stands, I own more Kingdoms sets than I do LotR. That may change though since the future of LEGO LotR is uncertain.

We've never had any indication or evidence that LotR had anything to do with Kingdoms. Kingdoms ran for what has become the fairly common modern length of run and total number of sets. No indications that it was cut short. 2 waves over 2 years. Plus it finished up with a very nice D2C set and Chess set. Whereas LotRs was really the replacement for Harry Potter in the line up and market niche. The fact that there was obviously no non compete clause in the license that affected the Castle theme is proof of that. ( whereas the in house Pirate line had to end when they got PotC, and the CuuSoo MWT failed review because it had a direct conflict with the LR no compete clause. This shows that neither TLG nor New Line view LotR and Castle as similar or competing.)

[Faefrost]

I really doubt that LEGO would release their TABA sets so early before the movie; not because they choose to change it, but because I doubt New Line or WB would allow the sets be out on shelves and be giving hints to the story. PJ and Co. has been extremely careful to not allow serious spoilers leak, especially after the switch to three films. Sure, Bridge Direct had their little slip up with their Bolg and Tauriel action figures, but not that much of the story was given away, so it wash't too bad.

All in all, this Middle-Earth license may be the most confusing and difficult in terms of scheduling for LEGO. They've done a pretty good job to remedy the changes as best they can with what time they've had, but overall my hopes of more LOTR are slowly waning. As much as I desperately want Gondor and many other sets, at this point it just doesn't look like a reality.

Also, Darth Caedus, that LOTR CMF list is perfect. If the license allowed it, LEGO wouldn't have to worry about making army building sets, because people could just bulk up on these. But I believe that if this had been allowed in the license, LEGO would've jumped on it from the start.

One other element of the scheduling changes and the unexpected split of 2 movies into 3. We don't know the actual length of the license. Did the third movie extend the overall length of the license? Or did it simply change the priorities where a third LotR wave becomes a third Hobbit wave instead? Will there be enough time left remaining on the license to make it worth TLG's while to make another LotR wave and have it out there on shelves long enough, before the end of license forces everything off the shelves (Remember the hard end date for HP)?

Bridge Direct didn't have a "little slip up". They got completely bent over by New Line and PJ when they changed from one movie to two at the last minute. They produced product based on information and scheduling provided by PJ's people. They then ended up losing a ton of money on tons of unsold bargain bin Tauriel figures because the character did not appear in the promised tie in movie. Imagine how well those figs would have sold if her DoS scenes had been in TUJ where they were planned? At this point I don't think any toy companies are going far out of their way to accommodate any of PJ's last minute changes or further developments. Heck has anyone noticed the utter dearth of DoS based tie in toys this summer? This is why.

It's also part of why I suspect that TLG is probably not going to be all that anxious to dive back into a license extension. Licenses are often just as much about the partners you are working with as they are about the specific subject of the license. TLG is the big dog in the room for these sorts of things. They are well used to working with partners that have their licensing and merchandising mechanisms down to a science. Lucasfilms, Disney, Marvel and DC are utter masters at dealing with their licenses and their license holders. They manage their IP well and make it easy (mostly) for their partners. Even when change happens. Whereas I am not getting that same sort of vibe off of any of New Lines Middle Earth license holders. (As a comparison, note that when J J Abrams asked to push back SW VII Disney said no, because of all of the interrelated business partners. Whereas New Line has been more than encouraging PJ's ever evolving changes and schedules. Maybe good for the movies, but lousy for the contracted partners.)

[Dr.Cogg]

I Think that Lego intended to make a Balrog,Treebeard and a few other sets( based on the Designer room Prelims), but the Hobbit either messed up the LotR release date or the LotR sets are not coming out at all.

[deskp]

I Think that Lego intended to make a Balrog,Treebeard and a few other sets( based on the Designer room Prelims), but the Hobbit either messed up the LotR release date or the LotR sets are not coming out at all.

Perhaps, but the desigenr will also make stuff for fun, or to see if theres a potential there. Just because something has started a design process does not mean it was really intended for release.

[Dr.Cogg]

I was looking at the Designer room picture and noticed some of the 2014 SW sets are in it ( AT-AT and the walking laser cannon), I also Noticed that there are four sets on the Shelf ( that we can see ) that have not been made yet. I know there Prelims and may never get released.

http://ow.ly/i/HJQX/original

[Sir_Basil_Ashton]

We've never had any indication or evidence that LotR had anything to do with Kingdoms. Kingdoms ran for what has become the fairly common modern length of run and total number of sets. No indications that it was cut short. 2 waves over 2 years. Plus it finished up with a very nice D2C set and Chess set. Whereas LotRs was really the replacement for Harry Potter in the line up and market niche. The fact that there was obviously no non compete clause in the license that affected the Castle theme is proof of that. ( whereas the in house Pirate line had to end when they got PotC, and the CuuSoo MWT failed review because it had a direct conflict with the LR no compete clause. This shows that neither TLG nor New Line view LotR and Castle as similar or competing.)

I won't argue on what specifically ended the Kingdoms sub-theme because we may never truly know. Looking back I know there was a lot of speculation from Kingdoms fans at what seemed to be the unexpected end of that sub-theme. In the US, wave 2 was released in the Summer and was taken off S@H and retail stores after the Holidays that year. So yes, Kingdoms as a whole was on retail shelves for about 2 years but that 2nd wave lasted only about 6 months. Kingdoms did live on directly through LEGO Stores and S@H. Joust was the last true set, the Chess set is a Chess set. That was over 2-yrs ago now but looking back at it, I'll stop blaming LotR for the end of Kingdoms. There's circumstantial evidence supporting both arguements and in the end nothing's going to change where we're at now.

Moving forward, I was just starting to get into LEGO LotR and it seems like it may be ending. I'll be purchasing the 2nd wave and try to get the sets I missed from the 1st wave. If we get more sets, I'll be purchasing those too.

I was looking at the Designer room picture and noticed some of the 2014 SW sets are in it ( AT-AT and the walking laser cannon), I also Noticed that there are four sets on the Shelf ( that we can see ) that have not been made yet. I know there Prelims and may never get released.

http://ow.ly/i/HJQX/original

Did you mean to post this on the SW page? I'd like to get some of those sets that are yet to be released.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Sir_Basil_Ashton

[Sarah]

It's not like we can't just read the book (gasp! what are those things?) to find out what happens and who dies. And the trailers/ posters show what the set designs and costumes look like anyway, so what is Jackson really protecting?

...Except that the movies have veered away from the books already. (Legolas and Tauriel in Laketown. SOme of the dwarves left behind in Laketown. Everything that happens in the mountain, pretty much.)

[Bring More Popcorn]

I'm surprised that no one has brought up the Lego Hobbit video game in this discussion. I'm sure most of you know that it's being released in the spring with only Unexpected Journey & Desolation of Smaug. I'm assuming There and Back Again will be DLC in December 2014. Anyways, why would Lego release TABA sets before the film's release but not have the video game include it? I guess you could argue that the video game spoils the film far more than a couple sets, because of the recreation of scenes with the film's audio tracks. ...but still, a spoiler is a spoiler and it boggles my mind that Lego would release these sets before the film when they went as far as to keep TABA out of the initial video game release. Keep in mind I don't know the details of Traveler's Tale's relationship with WB/NewLine & TLG, so I'm unsure of who makes these decisions there.

I'm just a bit skeptical that the rumor of this batch of new sets is TABA, and not LOTR. ....I'm really hoping it's LOTR.

[Brickadiergerard]

I'm just a bit skeptical that the rumor of this batch of new sets is TABA, and not LOTR. ....I'm really hoping it's LOTR.

I completely agree. I think logic says they'll be LOTR, but then I think that's just wishful thinking by me.Whatever they are, I just can't bring myself to imagine the LOTR line will end not with a bang but with a whimper. I really hope that's right.

[Supersonic]

I completely agree. I think logic says they'll be LOTR, but then I think that's just wishful thinking by me.Whatever they are, I just can't bring myself to imagine the LOTR line will end not with a bang but with a whimper. I really hope that's right.

If the next wave is TABA, that doesn't mean the end of LotR though. We never had both Hobbit and LotR sets in one wave, and if the Hobbit ends with a wave in 2014, there is no reason to believe LotR won't continue in 2015. The (highly understandable) focus on the Hobbit sets for DoS and TABA might have just pushed back the next wave.

[Alcarin]

If the next wave is TABA, that doesn't mean the end of LotR though. We never had both Hobbit and LotR sets in one wave, and if the Hobbit ends with a wave in 2014, there is no reason to believe LotR won't continue in 2015. The (highly understandable) focus on the Hobbit sets for DoS and TABA might have just pushed back the next wave.

It is highly unlikely or a minimal if any chance at all that LOTR would come out in 2015.... nothing supports such theory except ''mad mans hope''

[Deathleech]

I'm surprised that no one has brought up the Lego Hobbit video game in this discussion. I'm sure most of you know that it's being released in the spring with only Unexpected Journey & Desolation of Smaug. I'm assuming There and Back Again will be DLC in December 2014. Anyways, why would Lego release TABA sets before the film's release but not have the video game include it? I guess you could argue that the video game spoils the film far more than a couple sets, because of the recreation of scenes with the film's audio tracks. ...but still, a spoiler is a spoiler and it boggles my mind that Lego would release these sets before the film when they went as far as to keep TABA out of the initial video game release. Keep in mind I don't know the details of Traveler's Tale's relationship with WB/NewLine & TLG, so I'm unsure of who makes these decisions there.

I'm just a bit skeptical that the rumor of this batch of new sets is TABA, and not LOTR. ....I'm really hoping it's LOTR.

WB produces the game. They are directly linked to the movie and probably have more insight and interaction with the film crew. They aren't a third party creating toy sets based on the movies like Lego. Also it is MUCH easier to create a Lego set than it is to create a video game. A Lego set is just characters and a location.. you can only gather so much info from that. All Lego needs is some concept art to create a set. The video game actually plays out just like the movie with the characters talking, their actions, etc.

A Lego set provides the setting and the figures but after that you can make up whatever story you want. For instance MEA may be the mad king Thranduil riding his trusty Warg steed "Brownie" into combat against the Gundabad Orcs and Mirkwood Elves who have united to stop the crazy king. Of course the box art implies the elves are fighting the orcs, but you get the point. Your imagination is the only limit. In a video game Thranduil will have a specific role and he will ONLY be the Mirkwood Elf King and like in the movies.

As for this next summer/fall wave being LotR or Hobbit, I would guess it's the Hobbit. It seems everything points to that. I think the most likely explanation is Lego never revamped their release schedule and the TABA wave is being released when the film was originally supposed to in the summer. Several factors make me think this. First off the 2013 waves seem to be very small almost as if they were split in half. Second the Hobbit wave is being released right around when the movie was suppose to be released (if you take into account the Hungary website is a few months slow).

[Darth Punk]

It is highly unlikely or a minimal if any chance at all that LOTR would come out in 2015.... nothing supports such theory except ''mad mans hope''

Just as there is zero reason why TLG cannot wait until 2015 to finish up TLoR. I believe TLG has already shown their schedule may be a bit off track due to their lego movie push. Not to mention the hobbit schedule was upended. A winter release would still be helped by the final hobbit movie.

[Kondor21]

Any set names yet? I hope for minas tirith and the witch king and his felbeast! Oh and an ohlaphant. Im not sure if i spelled any of that correct sorry. I would think those sets would probably take up the entire wave but i think its worth it!

[deskp]

Any set names yet? I hope for minas tirith and the witch king and his felbeast! Oh and an ohlaphant. Im not sure if i spelled any of that correct sorry. I would think those sets would probably take up the entire wave but i think its worth it!

No lotr sets in 2014,

[SirBlake]

No lotr sets in 2014,

Most likely, but even if there isn't a full wave, I'd say there's still a chance for LotR in some form. what that may be is anybody's guess.

[Proximo]

Just as there is zero reason why TLG cannot wait until 2015 to finish up TLoR. I believe TLG has already shown their schedule may be a bit off track due to their lego movie push. Not to mention the hobbit schedule was upended. A winter release would still be helped by the final hobbit movie.

There is a reason: TLG never released licensed sets without any supporting media in the background, nor they had ever released a licensed wave AFTER a movie came out.

[deskp]

There is a reason: TLG never released licensed sets without any supporting media in the background, nor they had ever released a licensed wave AFTER a movie came out.

yeah, but unlike other movies the hobbit has 2 "dvd" releases in 2015, there will proapbly also be 2 full franchise boxsets including lotr.

n top of that, lego is doing a fair bit of new and diferent things this year.

At the very elast the wait for more hobbit is shorter this year!

[General Magma]

Look at the picture with the boxes for the next "The Hobbit" sets:

Picture Link

What does it say near the bottom right corner?

"Tie in to the video games and dvds."

In other words, there's still a chance we may see more LOTR with a franchise box set, which is likely to happen.

Not sure how long that may take, though, but there's still hope, even if just a tiny bit.

Edited January 12, 2014 by ZCerberus
Removed confidential photo

[kevkipo]

Look at the picture with the boxes for the next "The Hobbit" sets:

What does it say near the bottom right corner?

"Tie in to the video games and dvds."

In other words, there's still a chance we may see more LOTR with a franchise box set, which is likely to happen.

Not sure how long that may take, though, but there's still hope, even if just a tiny bit.

Wow nice find, Where did you find it?

Edited January 12, 2014 by ZCerberus
Removed Confidential Photo

[Mutant Orc]

I think it was off some retail magazine thing. I followed a link off Brick Heroes I think (one of those ones) and it took me to some unintelligible website with blurry pictures of some future sets.

I've just found the link from my history, here it is- http://www.pockyland...hread&tid=59473

EDIT- It doesn't work anymore. It gives me an error message. Sorry!

Edited January 11, 2014 by Mutant Orc

[Darth Punk]

There is a reason: TLG never released licensed sets without any supporting media in the background, nor they had ever released a licensed wave AFTER a movie came out.

I believe both waves of TLoR were released after the movies and not to mention OT Star Wars . And as deskp mentioned there will be DVDs of the hobbit plus most likely a combo,set of TLoR and hobbit. Not to mention the hobbit,lego game for,the last movie. Which might be included with TLoR version so you,can continue,onward. While we often treat the hobbit and TLoR,as separate lines they really are the same line, just different time periods. Kind of like OT and PT Star Wars. TLG released some big OT Star Wars sets including the Death Star with the movie release of pt Star Wars. The is no reason they could not do the same with TLoR.

[Alcarin]

I believe both waves of TLoR were released after the movies and not to mention OT Star Wars . And as deskp mentioned there will be DVDs of the hobbit plus most likely a combo,set of TLoR and hobbit. Not to mention the hobbit,lego game for,the last movie. Which might be included with TLoR version so you,can continue,onward. While we often treat the hobbit and TLoR,as separate lines they really are the same line, just different time periods. Kind of like OT and PT Star Wars. TLG released some big OT Star Wars sets including the Death Star with the movie release of pt Star Wars. The is no reason they could not do the same with TLoR.

I dont understand why the usage TLoR ... its LOTR - Lord of The Rings

As for the rest... its possible but unlikely.

[Leo604]

I dont understand why the usage TLoR ... its LOTR - Lord of The Rings

He made a typo dude, you don't have to be so condescending.