Disney franchises selective?

[Brickity]

I'm sorry girls, those lego friends are taking your place

Whatever, the hairpieces are going to be compatible anyway And I hope they don't put a lot of pink in the sets. Wow, this hasn't even been confirmed and look at me Still, no aladdin, or peter pan, or hercules, etc... only the ladies :C

Edited November 2, 2013 by Otherworld

[CM4Sci]

I wonder how they'll do dresses.

Plastic skirts or a new skirt leg piece? I prefer the latter

-Sci

[paul_delahaye]

If you're giving only one sentence, I'm not really sure.

OK, one of the sets had a minifig with a mermaid tail in it (but a regular freinds style upper body and head) if I recall. Can't tell you much more because it was only a quick glance.

Edited August 27, 2013 by paul_delahaye

[CM4Sci]

OK, one of the sets had a minifig with a mermaid tail in it (but a regular freinds style upper body and head) if I recall. Can't tell you much more because it was only a quick glance.

Ariel minidoll confirmed!

-Sci

[just2good]

OK, one of the sets had a minifig with a mermaid tail in it (but a regular freinds style upper body and head) if I recall. Can't tell you much more because it was only a quick glance.

Ariel minidoll confirmed!

-Sci

Please please please...

I can't wait for this theme. This is now my second most hyped theme for 2014!

[Dorayaki]

OK, one of the sets had a minifig with a mermaid tail in it (but a regular freinds style upper body and head) if I recall. Can't tell you much more because it was only a quick glance.

Well, I didn't mean that. Whatever, I'd like to wait for official news which is more clear.

As mentioned at first, Disney Princess / classics is a different thing from other movie licenses, or "big flashy summer movies", which are chosen due to very different reasons. Unless TLC and Disney would reserve such kind of chance for all other future princess/girls related films like Frozen.

[just2good]

Here's the rumor list for Disney Princesses from All About Bricks. At this point, I think we should veer discussion to this topic.

41050 Ariel’s Secret Treasures

41051 Merida’s Highland Games

41052 Cinderella’s Enchanted Carriage

41053 Ariel’s Magical Kiss

41054 Rapunzel’s Tower of Creativity

41055 Cinderella’s Castle Romance

Now we got more franchises! These are said to have minidolls, so it is indeed the theme we were talking about in the other topic.

[Lordofdragonss]

Merida's hair in my Lego?!

Edited September 2, 2013 by Lordofdragonss

[Freddy Bricker]

Merida's hair in my Lego?!

Excuse my thinking out loud, but I believe the Forest Maiden hairpiece may be given to Merida. I look forward to this theme. I thought Friends was successful, which is why I'm surprised why TLG would make a new girls theme. Hopefully we get both, with both friends and the princess sets to look forward to, I think TLG would make a lot of money with that. Also I just wanted to say that I believed Ralph himself was why we didn't get his theme. I mean it would be kinda hard to make a big fig in all or most sets for a theme. I can't see any other reasons why not make a theme. Hero's duty would be more of a $12 set or a $25 set. It didn't have that much exposure, which is a good thing considering it wouldn't really affect half of the sales. It would only be one or two sets. Then you have Sugar Rush, if they made a set for the candy car and a set with the "FINAL MENTO MELTDOWN!!" then Sugar rush would be very appealing to boys as well. Boys love cars, big figs, and epic showdowns. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but wouldn't Ralph himself be the only problem in making this theme? Wow and another thing, I tend to write bulky paragraphs when responding, but I see people write like this

Here's the rumor list for Disney Princesses from All About Bricks. At this point, I think we should veer discussion to this topic.

41050 Ariel’s Secret Treasures

41051 Merida’s Highland Games

41052 Cinderella’s Enchanted Carriage

41053 Ariel’s Magical Kiss

41054 Rapunzel’s Tower of Creativity

41055 Cinderella’s Castle Romance

Now we got more franchises! These are said to have minidolls, so it is indeed the theme we were talking about in the other topic.

How can I write like that and not just bulky? Not that I don't know how to use a computer but it has been a challenge for me after a while.

[just2good]

Well, for Wreck-It Ralph, I believe we didn't get it because Disney doesn't seem to make LEGO sets based off their own 3D-Animated films. Maybe it's just something to do with the marketing. Think about it this way- the rumored Tangled set is the first set based off a 3D-Animated Disney film. Then again, there's only been two since LEGO got the Disney license again.

I'm sure we'll get sets if there's a Wreck-It Ralph sequel, and maybe Big Hero 6 stuff under the Super Heroes line come late 2014.

How can I write like that and not just bulky? Not that I don't know how to use a computer but it has been a challenge for me after a while.

I like to use the enter button. If you press it twice, it makes the text sections look much cleaner. To change the font, there's a drop box on the topic of the reply box.

[Freddy Bricker]

Thank you so much. I pressed the enter button twice, and nothing happened. But thanks anyways!

[Darth Punk]

Other than sw, which is by default, it doesn't seem like any of the Disney lego lines have done great. Some of their more recent movies seemed to be made solely to sell merchandise. Plop a Disney logo on it and some people will buy it no matter how dull it is.

Edited September 5, 2013 by Darth Punk

[Faefrost]

Other than sw, which is by default, it doesn't seem like any of the Disney lego lines have done great. Some of their more recent movies seemed to be made solely to sell merchandise. Plop a Disney logo on it and some people will buy it no matter how dull it is.

I think PotC and LR have had very strong sales. Far better than they would have expected from stand alone Pirate and Western themes. Marvel Super Heros have been a very strong core seller. It's hard to gauge the Duplo stuff, but I think the princess and Jake and the Pirates have done decently. The weak points were Prince of Persia and some parts of the Toy Story line (build a Zerg?) Cars probably did ok sales but was overproduced and below expectations.

[Dorayaki]

it doesn't seem like any of the Disney lego lines have done great. Some of their more recent movies seemed to be made solely to sell merchandise. Plop a Disney logo on it and some people will buy it no matter how dull it is.

We do hope Disney make better films in the future. As mentioned many times, this topic should focus on those big potentials instead of "dull films", if you think the merchandise we get isn't good enough.

[Dorayaki]

Here's the rumor list for Disney Princesses from All About Bricks. At this point, I think we should veer discussion to this topic.

I think this should be a new license theme rumor, unless the rumor is also about another original theme that comes up with Friends.

Edited September 16, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Blondie-Wan]

The weak points were Prince of Persia and some parts of the Toy Story line (build a Zerg?)

What's wrong with Construct-a-Zurg?

Edited September 17, 2013 by Blondie-Wan

[Deathleech]

To me it seems pretty obvious why some Disney themes get made into Lego sets and some don't. If you look back, Lego generally likes to do licensed sets that fill a gap they currently have from a generic theme. PotC was basically a licensed pirate theme and Lone Ranger a licensed cowboy and indians theme. Lego also seems to go after the big mega block busters for obvious reasons (the movie alone gives ton of advertisement and helps sell the sets, even if some like LR turn out to be huge flops). Some films like Secretariat and the Odd Life of Timothy Green won't get sets made because the subject material just does not lend itself to Lego sets in the slightest. For others though, it's a no brainer (big hits + genre Lego already sells).

Still I am sure there are some Disney movies that have good potential to be made into sets but don't for any number of reasons. Maybe Lego doesn't feel they can adequately make or market the sets. Maybe they would rather pool their resources somewhere else where they think they will make more money. You have to remember Lego now covers tons of movie and tv show licenses, as well as dozens of their own unique properties so making a theme from every Disney movie (especially less popular ones or ones that might not be as lucrative), isn't always feasible for them.

[Dorayaki]

What's wrong with Construct-a-Zurg?

I guess construct-things fit in the needs that some people don't play regular Lego (buildings and minifigures). But when sales don't meet expectations, construct-things would become the last straw

[KingPixels]

Thank you so much. I pressed the enter button twice, and nothing happened. But thanks anyways!

You're supposed to press enter twice to make a new line. I am going to press enter twice after I finish typing this sentence.

I just pressed enter twice.

[Dorayaki]

Excuse my thinking out loud, but I believe the Forest Maiden hairpiece may be given to Merida.

Even though they share similar properties, you still need to remember that her hair is curled.

Well, for Wreck-It Ralph, I believe we didn't get it because Disney doesn't seem to make LEGO sets based off their own 3D-Animated films. Maybe it's just something to do with the marketing. Think about it this way- the rumored Tangled set is the first set based off a 3D-Animated Disney film. Then again, there's only been two since LEGO got the Disney license again.

I'm sure we'll get sets if there's a Wreck-It Ralph sequel, and maybe Big Hero 6 stuff under the Super Heroes line come late 2014.

I don't think there is a reason why Disney's original 3D animated films can't be a Lego theme if they are high potential products. In other merchandise, both Merida and Rapunzel are considered Disney Princesses along with other classic 2D princesses though Vanellope isn', just like Kida and Eilonwy, which means Disney actually don't differentiate such things.

Edited November 1, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Faefrost]

One other thing to keep in mind. We have very very rarely seen a Disney theme released in conjunction with a first movie. At least not at time of the movies release. The only exceptions to that rule seem to be two of the Bruckheimer works. PoP and LR. Both of which underperformed. Toy Story, Cars, PotC, etc all allowed for the movie to develop more into a franchise before picking it up. We never saw sets from some single movies that by nature would be extremely Lego friendly. Stuff like The Incredibles. I'm betting if there is an Incredibles or Wreck It Ralph 2 we will see corresponding sets from both movies.

[Apollo VI]

Disney is going to be making money off the Marvel and Star Wars lines for a long time. We'll definitely see sets for Avengers 2 and Star Wars VII in 2015 as well as miscellaneous sets in those themes in 2014. We could see sets from Pirates 5 and Indy 5 (if it gets made) as well in the near future. It's a lot harder to predict smaller franchises and non-franchises... maybe we'll see Tron sets with Tron 3? I'm not sure which big non-franchise blockbuster they want to push next. I think Disney and Lego should both be pretty happy with the partnerships that exist right now.

[Dorayaki]

Disney is going to be making money off the Marvel and Star Wars lines for a long time. We'll definitely see sets for Avengers 2 and Star Wars VII in 2015 as well as miscellaneous sets in those themes in 2014. We could see sets from Pirates 5 and Indy 5 (if it gets made) as well in the near future. It's a lot harder to predict smaller franchises and non-franchises... maybe we'll see Tron sets with Tron 3? I'm not sure which big non-franchise blockbuster they want to push next. I think Disney and Lego should both be pretty happy with the partnerships that exist right now.

Uh...., as said, the co-operative licenses should be independent, or we can only get Star Wars and Marvel sets in the upcoming 2014. Even though some themes based on a film series would have more chances and scenes, so far there are also several themes based on a single movie (though not all of them work). I guess it still depends on the movie's suitability for a Lego product.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Faefrost]

Uh...., as said, the co-operative licenses should be independent, or we can only get Star Wars and Marvel sets in the upcoming 2014. Even though some themes based on a film series would have more chances and scenes, so far there are also several themes based on a single movie (though not all of them work). I guess it still depends on the movie's suitability for a Lego product.

The licences for the individual properties are independent. But the degree of pre existing relationship does tend to give TLG at a minimum the right of first refusal for most new projects. Of those mentioned above, the SW license was renewed for 10 years in 2011, so barring some sort of disagreement and buyout Lego will be releasing SW sets from the new movies, Rebels, etc. Given the extremely profitable benefit to both parties that the SW Lego lines have brought, it is unlikely those will be messed with. Probably the only potential interference would be some sort of power play by Hasbro (or Disney buying out Hasbro). The Marvel license will most likely still be in effect for 2015. If it is facing renewal, it will probably be right around now. (They often seem to do a short 2 year license to test a themes viability followed by a longer extension. However given how broad the Marvel license seems it may have been longer at the outset. Maybe 5 years?)

One thing we need to keep in mind. In spite of the recent surge in licensed IP themes, TLG still remains extremely extremely cautious in what they license. PoP and LR will probably make them if anything more skittish of single movie themes. We should not expect a licensed Theme simply because it is Disney. I suspect that TLG will probably skip Tron, unless it is bundled in with some other more desirable Disney property. (Which we suspect is why they did PoP, it came with PotC.) Tron has kinda had some bad history on toy shelves, and still heavily populates $ stores and Poundland to this day. No A list toy players are going to jump headfirst back into that one. if they do do another Indiana Jones movie Lego may grab that as they have good predictive data and it fits well with their Adventure lines.

I think you are correct in using the phrase 'suitability for a Lego product". There are a lot of very good Disney Franchises or properties that might nor work as well for Lego. The new Simpsons theme will be a good measure of how far they can get away with deviating from their standard minifig/System setting. I have long suspected that the odder sizes of the Toy Story figs may have cost them a little bit in overall sales. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that TLG looked into doing sets for Monsters University and opted against it, on the basis of too many new unique character molds and not enough distinctive settings or vehicles to work well in Lego. Figure Finding Nemo is similar in that regard. (whereas if they ever do an Incredibles sequel that would easily be a sure thing for TLG. Heck I always suspected that the Dr. Inferno / Mad Scientist hair might have been a test design for Syndrome?)

[Dorayaki]

One other thing to keep in mind. We have very very rarely seen a Disney theme released in conjunction with a first movie. At least not at time of the movies release. The only exceptions to that rule seem to be two of the Bruckheimer works. PoP and LR. Both of which underperformed. Toy Story, Cars, PotC, etc all allowed for the movie to develop more into a franchise before picking it up. We never saw sets from some single movies that by nature would be extremely Lego friendly. Stuff like The Incredibles. I'm betting if there is an Incredibles or Wreck It Ralph 2 we will see corresponding sets from both movies.

Licenses based on "film series" indeed have a better chance due to market potential and usable elements, but to me there are two cencerns: 1), if TLC only release one wave with a limited amount of sets, the used scenes and characters could be relatively fewer than other single film licesnes (eg, Harry Potter); 2), if sequels are made "after" Lego licenses, would TLC make renewals? (eg, Avatar).

I'm very willing to see sequels to certain films like Wreck It Ralph and Brave, who all have potentials and room for more stories, but still we have to get the sequels first in order to prove this saying .

For the existed Lego licenses, the Cars sets are okay to me, but I don't think the Toy story sets had completely contained the major elements of the trilogy, especially 1~2. Suppose that TLC is going to make Toy Story 4 sets, it's hard to believe that TLC would make up for the lost parts.

For the Disney Princess, which is a license of multiple stories, not to judge whether the sets are good or not, we're not sure how this series trend and whether it is able to embody all elements of the stories. If there are more than four sets for each story, at least there should be more than fourty sets in this theme while it's still lasting.

One thing we need to keep in mind. In spite of the recent surge in licensed IP themes, TLG still remains extremely extremely cautious in what they license. PoP and LR will probably make them if anything more skittish of single movie themes. We should not expect a licensed Theme simply because it is Disney.

I think most Disney films correspond with the range that TLC want to target at, while the violent or political things that Lego would definitely not include mostly appear in other studios. It still depends on their suitability for Lego sets. As you said, the stories starring too many non-human characters have difficulties in being Lego sets.

Edited November 19, 2013 by Dorayaki