Alcarin, you're confusing me and probably all of us. Originally you said that you wanted an entire Gondor wave (which will never happen) and now you're saying just 2 or 3 sets. Which is it? And don't get carried away arguing with us. Most of the things we post here will never happen anyways.

Haha, I love the council set so much I probably WILL end up with 6 of them! I bought two just on June 1st. :D. Gimli's pieces are all very useful for dwarves in general. If I could find someone here with a good number of Gimlis for that price, I'd buy them up in a heartbeat.

As for Lothlorien, I think you're selling it a bit short. When I was talking about how iconic it was, I admit I had the book in mind. However, both the mirror scene and the parting gifts are remembered very well by even casual fans, far more than Minas Morgul, and it's good for Lego to diversify its sets between battles and enchanting places in Middle Earth. Gandalf arrives and the council are both examples of this and there isn't any better thing to make to fill that role next year.

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The problem with this logic is no lower priced set can meet your standards unless it's a battlepack, or is a set depicting a small scene, location, or creature (Shelob Attacks, Gandalf Arrives, etc.). Unfortunately Lego can't make every set a huge $200+ set and do them all justice, they have to shrink the sets down to hit lower price points for kids and offer something still iconic and cool from the movies. I am sure if Lego made all sets higher priced expensive ones and did everything closer to scale you would get just as many upset fans, if not more, because the price on every set would be too high and unattainable for most people.

You are right to some extent, but for example Orc Forge was a perfect set for its price range of 50$. You get 3 generic soldiers a Lurtz and a cool Forge. Its easily justified buying 2 (to put 1 on each side of Orthanc) and you get 4 mordor orcs and 2 generic uruk-hai with only 1 Lurtz needing to sell.

See a set like that (and Uruk-hai army) are examples of great sets, with ''iconic'' figures (Lurtz/Eomer) that can be bought multiple times without hindering what you get. And their price range is solid (30$ and 50$)

A solution for both Elronds council and Black gates is easy. Adding 2 generic soldier figures and adding 10$ in price (or removing Eagle !) would easily justify buying 2x+ each set.

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Don't get me wrong, I completely agree that sets like the Black Gate suck because Lego goes so far as to promote buying at least 2, but then has the set full of characters you would only want 1 of. Fortunately you can buy them on sites like BL without any minifigures, or buy 2 Black Gate sets and sell the extra Gandalf and Aragorn's on BL. You could also BL some random flesh heads and use Aragorn's Gondor outfit as a standard Gondor soldier, or buy some black heads, arms, and a black hood and make the Mouth into a Nazgul. While not ideal these are all options to help deal with the not ideal set make ups..

True, those are partial solutions, which cost extra 10-20$ overall (especially due to shipping :P)

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Alcarin, you're confusing me and probably all of us. Originally you said that you wanted an entire Gondor wave (which will never happen) and now you're saying just 2 or 3 sets. Which is it? And don't get carried away arguing with us. Most of the things we post here will never happen anyways.

Not at all.

What I want and what my minimum before severe disappointment is are 2 different things my friend ;).

I want 5+ Gondor sets (or wish for them) but if they make less than 3 I will be severely disappointed.

Its that simple ;)

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Haha, I love the council set so much I probably WILL end up with 6 of them! I bought two just on June 1st. :D. Gimli's pieces are all very useful for dwarves in general. If I could find someone here with a good number of Gimlis for that price, I'd buy them up in a heartbeat.

haha good for you, you are right Gimli is fine to use, except the fact I don't like to make armies of dwarfs :P . Elrond and Arwen however are not. the cloak is useful (from Elrond).

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As for Lothlorien, I think you're selling it a bit short. When I was talking about how iconic it was, I admit I had the book in mind. However, both the mirror scene and the parting gifts are remembered very well by even casual fans, far more than Minas Morgul, and it's good for Lego to diversify its sets between battles and enchanting places in Middle Earth. Gandalf arrives and the council are both examples of this and there isn't any better thing to make to fill that role next year.

If you'd go around asking people who watched LOTR 5+ years ago last time and ask them to write or tell you top 3 iconic places they remember from I am pretty SURE Lothlorien will not be around top 3. not even in top 5 probably.

Movie made it 2nd rank kind of iconic place. Might be the best out of them 2nd ranked but I think its still 2nd rank.

For 1st rank I would put Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, Barad-Dur, Orthanc, Rivendell, Mines of Moria(Balrog). Maybe even Paths of the Dead and Shire

For 2nd rank I would put Lothlorien, Weathertop (as 2 best 2nd ranked) and then Amon-hen, Osgilliath, Ithilien(Oliphant), Bree, Caradhras, etc.

For 3rd rank I would put Corsair ship and similar which is funny since thats a flag set for wave 2 O_o

Even if we argue with the books and you would have to put 3 most important and memorised scenes out of the book/movie I would easily put Council of Elrond, Balrog, Shire and Boromirs end as more memorising scenes/events than Lothlorien.

Hell I would even say (and I realise I forgot it up) Argonath would be a better set than Lothlorien purely for display value ;) Problem is we would again get 1 statue and useless fellowship for double purchase haha.

Not bashing Lothlorien I think its a wonderful place but I think its a wave 4/5 + material :P

I'll bash Lothlorien. Being bored I checked up a lot of people who've seen the movie plenty of times. Literally none of them even knew the name. The most iconic places (since most of them only saw the movie) were stuff like the Shire, Helm's Deep, blablabla without Lothlorien even registering. They were only there in the movies very briefly and most people haven't read the books. :P

I'm going to have to agree with Alcarin. I've watched each movie twice (TTT 3 times) but I can't remember what Lothlorien looks like. Granted it would be nice, but if a lot of AFOLS can't remember it, I doubt many kids would either.

  On 6/8/2013 at 6:11 PM, Gremer said:

I'm going to have to agree with Alcarin. I've watched each movie twice (TTT 3 times) but I can't remember what Lothlorien looks like. Granted it would be nice, but if a lot of AFOLS can't remember it, I doubt many kids would either.

The way I look at it, it's like Ewok villages with bigger trees, brighter leaves, and lots of vocalizing.

  On 6/8/2013 at 6:11 PM, Gremer said:

I'm going to have to agree with Alcarin. I've watched each movie twice (TTT 3 times) but I can't remember what Lothlorien looks like. Granted it would be nice, but if a lot of AFOLS can't remember it, I doubt many kids would either.

The thing I suspect is wanting Lothlorien has alot to do with wanting as many Elves as possible. Its understandable but trying to sell Lothlorien an important iconic place from the movies is wrong :P

  On 6/8/2013 at 6:17 PM, Alcarin said:

The thing I suspect is wanting Lothlorien has alot to do with wanting as many Elves as possible. Its understandable but trying to sell Lothlorien an important iconic place from the movies is wrong :P

I wouldn't call the pirate ship iconic.

I actually really want a Lothlorien; it's one of my favorite locations both from the books and the movies. I think it's because it seems so... peaceful (which sadly is what makes it more unlikely to become a set ). It's one of the few places in Middle-earth the there's little conflict. I actually think it's peacefulness is why I think it might be in the next wave, since each wave has had at least one set without two forces fighting each other: Gandalf Arrives, An Unexpected Gathering, and The Council of Elrond. There were no "bad guys" in those sets (unless you count the eye in the council set ), and there's not many scenes like that for the next wave, besides Lothlorien. Edoras is another that comes to mind, and although I hope that gets made into a set at some point, I'd rather have a Lothlorien set in the next wave.

I don't think casual fans know the name but they remember the imagery. Lothlorien was quite different from any other place in the trilogy and the scene at the mirror-pool is one of the most memorable parts of that movie. Its a chance to make a place that stands distinctly apart from the fortress walls and towers and the conflict they represent. Aside from the trees not being remotely the same as the ewok village, there would be more significant architectural elements. The only reason I could see TLG skipping it would be its minifig selection. If they hit Galadriel in the hobbit sets, there are no important characters the location would be needed for. If they don't give us a Galadriel this winter, I'd put money on a Lothlorien set next year.

  On 6/8/2013 at 7:06 PM, Str0ngbad said:

I don't think casual fans know the name but they remember the imagery. Lothlorien was quite different from any other place in the trilogy and the scene at the mirror-pool is one of the most memorable parts of that movie. Its a chance to make a place that stands distinctly apart from the fortress walls and towers and the conflict they represent. Aside from the trees not being remotely the same as the ewok village, there would be more significant architectural elements. The only reason I could see TLG skipping it would be its minifig selection. If they hit Galadriel in the hobbit sets, there are no important characters the location would be needed for. If they don't give us a Galadriel this winter, I'd put money on a Lothlorien set next year.

Its not about the name...

even if youd sat down LOTR casual viewers (so people who never read books) and tell them to write down 5 places they remember and stand out.

Lothlorien will rarely (if at all) be amongst them.

Its just not memorable in the movie.

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I actually really want a Lothlorien; it's one of my favorite locations both from the books and the movies. I think it's because it seems so... peaceful (which sadly is what makes it more unlikely to become a set ). It's one of the few places in Middle-earth the there's little conflict. I actually think it's peacefulness is why I think it might be in the next wave, since each wave has had at least one set without two forces fighting each other: Gandalf Arrives, An Unexpected Gathering, and The Council of Elrond. There were no "bad guys" in those sets (unless you count the eye in the council set ), and there's not many scenes like that for the next wave, besides Lothlorien. Edoras is another that comes to mind, and although I hope that gets made into a set at some point, I'd rather have a Lothlorien set in the next wave.

There is plenty of stuff without conflict (scenes) most notable merriage of Aragorn and Arwen (but then again it was conflict on that place before) and sail of the ring keepers at the end of the movie 3.

etc....

Edited June 8, 201311 yr by Alcarin

  On 6/8/2013 at 7:21 PM, Alcarin said:

Its not about the name...

even if youd sat down LOTR casual viewers (so people who never read books) and tell them to write down 5 places they remember and stand out.

Lothlorien will rarely (if at all) be amongst them.

Its just not memorable in the movie.

One can be of a different opinion, i think. To fans of Elves (of any fantasy universe - not solely connected to Middle Earth), Lothlorien and Rivendell are fantastic places. Everyone having read the books (LOTR and the Silmarillion), Elves are one key race in Middle Earth. Their demise is saddening and the world is becoming a less beautiful place while they leave for the Undying Lands, ultimatley ending the Third Age. Lothlorien is one spot where the Elven magic and sprit are alive still in the books and in the movies alike. This would justify a set, i believe.

Since TLG must sell to many and children who do not know the background and the story behind i action, i can understand that a bigger set is not a likely choice. Still, i could imagine a small set like the wizard's battle with Galadriel, her mirror, Frodo and a few trees around them. This is an important scene in the movie (and in the story).

  On 6/8/2013 at 7:21 PM, Alcarin said:

There is plenty of stuff without conflict (scenes) most notable merriage of Aragorn and Arwen (but then again it was conflict on that place before) and sail of the ring keepers at the end of the movie 3.

etc....

I see your point with the marriage of Arwen and Aragorn, but I think that's even less memorable that Lothlorien, and the location of that scene could always be represented in a conflict-oriented Minas Tirith set, with King Aragorn maybe being an exclusive in a visual dictionary-type book, if one is ever released. I do hope that the White Harbor does eventually become a set, but I'd like to be in the last wave, sort of saying farewell to the theme as the characters say farewell to Middle-earth. Other than that there's not much peaceful sets they could do. Bree/The Prancing Pony is another that comes to mind, but other than that as I run through the movies in my mind I can't think of much else, although I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

Shire: check

Rivendell: check

Moria: check

Rohan: check

Orthanc: check

Mordor: check

Not to say there cant be more sets from any of those locations but aside from Gondor, Lothlorien is about the only unique location not yet covered. Fangorn is nothing but trees. Amon Hen is just wilderness. A set of the Grey Havens would thrill me (Cirdan is my favorite elf) but it gets far less screen time and a total of two camera shots. The more I think about it, the more certain I am Lothlorien, small or not, is on the way.

I'd be shocked and disappointed not to see Lothlorien. Galadriel is not only one of the most powerful beings in Middle Earth but the most important female character in the story. On top of it, LEGO already has a design for it (see the video game).

  On 6/8/2013 at 6:46 AM, Alcarin said:

For 1st rank I would put Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, Barad-Dur, Orthanc, Rivendell, Mines of Moria(Balrog). Maybe even Paths of the Dead and Shire

For 2nd rank I would put Lothlorien, Weathertop (as 2 best 2nd ranked) and then Amon-hen, Osgilliath, Ithilien(Oliphant), Bree, Caradhras, etc.

For 3rd rank I would put Corsair ship and similar which is funny since thats a flag set for wave 2 O_o

I think you are undervaluing Weathertop in that list. It's the first time all the ring wraith are shown in force, and the atmosphere of dread creeping upon our defenceless hobbits is captured perfectly. We see the true ghostly nature of the wraiths and we first witness Aragorn's fighting prowess. I'd put it well ahead of Paths of the Dead.

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Fangorn is nothing but trees

Its not like Lothlorien is THAT much better... nothing but trees, stairs and tree houses really. ;)

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I think you are undervaluing Weathertop in that list. It's the first time all the ring wraith are shown in force, and the atmosphere of dread creeping upon our defenceless hobbits is captured perfectly. We see the true ghostly nature of the wraiths and we first witness Aragorn's fighting prowess. I'd put it well ahead of Paths of the Dead.

So? and if youd have to say most memorable scene from FOTR it would not be Weathertop... It would be either Elronds council or Balrog... Paths of the dead is way more memorable because of ghosts.

I am not valuing location by its event but by what is more memorising for the casual viewer. And by casual I mean those who NEVER read books and other material that explain Weathertop and other history parts (liek Arwen and Aragorn meeting in Lothlorien)

To us places like Weathertop, Lothlorien, etc. have more meaning because we know what happens there many years ago. To a new viewer or a kid. they see Argonath and say ''wow thats a cool thing'' or ''Ghosts, great!'' or ''Minas Tirith looks legendary'' They dont say ''WoW aragorn shows fighting power thats great and important'' or they dont go ''that lady in white is talking narrative and is important''

They see lothlorien for 5 min and dont really care about it.

By that same logic a casual viewer or kid would see an action-filled scene with sword fighting, ghosts and a screaming Frodo (certainly a character kids identify with) and might take this over a scene in which three people walk in the darkness before talking to one ghost.

As for Galadriel, I suppose we are forgetting about the ladies. My mother, who has no idea about Tolkien, remembered Frodo, the 'handsome ranger' and the 'white lady in the trees'. My niece is the same as she prefers Arwen, Eowyn and Galadriel over any ghosts with scary laughter.

  On 6/9/2013 at 12:00 PM, Lynx said:

By that same logic a casual viewer or kid would see an action-filled scene with sword fighting, ghosts and a screaming Frodo (certainly a character kids identify with) and might take this over a scene in which three people walk in the darkness before talking to one ghost.

As for Galadriel, I suppose we are forgetting about the ladies. My mother, who has no idea about Tolkien, remembered Frodo, the 'handsome ranger' and the 'white lady in the trees'. My niece is the same as she prefers Arwen, Eowyn and Galadriel over any ghosts with scary laughter.

Dont take 1 example butm ajority... and believe me MAJORITY of casual viewers could care less for Lothlorien (kids wise)

Those who like LOTR like it because of BATTLES, QUEST, and EPICNESS, not because of Galadriel, Arwen, but fellowship.

Im tired of arguing with you guys because you try to play theory of 0. Which means if you find 1 counter you consider it as overthrowing thesis of majority.

Ladies have Friends to purchase.

Thranduil and Galadriel is the only 2 main featured elves mission atm. I do hope Thanduil is coming this year. Galadriel could potentialy be an exclusive, now that they have a female hair mold. Theres the potential for atleast 5 more Hobbit exclusive minifigures, 1 for each theatrical dvd release and 1 for each extended edition! If theres a video game thats the potental for 6 more exclusive hobbit figgures.

but I would assume alteast 1 more exclusive for each normal dvd release... if we get waves for both upccoming movies!

The lothlorien set seen in the video game is pretty bad by my book, but it's obviously an early prototype of anything.. The white council would be a glorious set concerning minifigures, and should fit in womwaht with the council of elrond, making up more of rivendell!

Thraundil is almost surely coming with the 2nd wave though....

  On 6/9/2013 at 1:02 PM, Alcarin said:

Those who like LOTR like it because of BATTLES, QUEST, and EPICNESS, not because of Galadriel, Arwen, but fellowship.

Im tired of arguing with you guys because you try to play theory of 0. Which means if you find 1 counter you consider it as overthrowing thesis of majority.

The average AFOL spends 20 times more money on LEGO than the average family*. Given that children are not the primary targets for LotR (compare it to the ads, tv spots etc of Star Wars, Legends of Chima), I expect that there is indeed a market for sets like Lothlorien.

If you are market researcher and have credible data to support your point-of-view, I could certainly be convinced. If you do not, your 'thesis of majority' is nothing more than your opinion - and thus as valuable as my own.

* Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-05-23/life-size-x-wing-fighter-worlds-biggest-lego-model-lands-in-new-york#r=rss

  On 6/9/2013 at 1:02 PM, Alcarin said:

Those who like LOTR like it because of BATTLES, QUEST, and EPICNESS, not because of Galadriel, Arwen, but fellowship.

Lego has released several LotR and Hobbit sets already that aren't big battles, quests, or all that epic. Gandalf Arrives, Riddles for the Ring, and Bag End are just a few examples. These are quaint little scenes that are more about the touching, memorable moments than huge epic battles. Now I don't think we will see a huge $100+ Lothlorien set anytime soon, but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw something smaller within the next wave (if there is a next wave). Lothlorien may not be memorable by name, but I think you are downplaying people's recollection of it. It's portrayed as a very mystic setting in the films and like was said, it's vastly different from all the castles and structures we see in other sets.

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Ladies have Friends to purchase.

While it's true boys and men dominate the LotR sales, there are still plenty of women and girls that are interested in other themes besides just Friends.

I wouldn't mind a set of Lothlorien. While Galadriel could always come in the Hobbit sets, it would be our only chance at ever getting Celeborn. I think Lego could come up with something quite nice if it was based on the night scenes with the glowing parts.

Still the Golden Hall is my number one most wanted location outside of Minas Tirith.

  On 6/9/2013 at 9:50 PM, Lynx said:

The average AFOL spends 20 times more money on LEGO than the average family*. Given that children are not the primary targets for LotR (compare it to the ads, tv spots etc of Star Wars, Legends of Chima), I expect that there is indeed a market for sets like Lothlorien.

If you are market researcher and have credible data to support your point-of-view, I could certainly be convinced. If you do not, your 'thesis of majority' is nothing more than your opinion - and thus as valuable as my own.

* Source: http://www.businessw...-new-york#r=rss

LEGO makes HUGE MAJORITY of money from kids, not AFOLs.

thats a fact. And LOTR is no different.

If you do not believe me then check google and other sources and find your facts.

Thats been debated multiple times.

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Lego has released several LotR and Hobbit sets already that aren't big battles, quests, or all that epic. Gandalf Arrives, Riddles for the Ring, and Bag End are just a few examples. These are quaint little scenes that are more about the touching, memorable moments than huge epic battles. Now I don't think we will see a huge $100+ Lothlorien set anytime soon, but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw something smaller within the next wave (if there is a next wave). Lothlorien may not be memorable by name, but I think you are downplaying people's recollection of it. It's portrayed as a very mystic setting in the films and like was said, it's vastly different from all the castles and structures we see in other sets.

It is, but I did not downplay it the Movie did. Lothlorien in movie gets little screentime compared to most iconic places. Except for theater release I always watched extended so not sure if its the same screentime as theatrical version but I know its not alot.

In books lothlorien is much much more important, if for nothing else because there is talks about Lothlorien and Rivendell as the last two bastions that can defend from Sourons will (atleast for some time) not to mention it is known that Aragorn and Arwen meet in Lothlorien and all that love stuff and promises. The movie viewer gets nothing of this.

Not to mention Tom Bombadil(or whatever is the correct way to write his last name!), he is also important in books yet casual viewer known nothing of him.

If Minas Tirith version of Uruk hai army was made, I'd expect it to have:

Mordor orc(x4)

Gondor soldier(x1)

And Faramir.

Even though he didn't particapate in that battle, I expect TLG would throw him in a set that way, as they wouldn't have to make an Osgiliath then.