More TV show licenses?

[TheLegoDr]

Even if there isn't another company with a license, it doesn't mean LEGO would profit from any number of tv shows. I've watched one episode of Dr. Who and couldn't get into it. Maybe it's a great show, but I don't plan on giving it a chance. I don't speak for everyone, but as you can see with The Simpson's, a lot of people love it and hate it, but it has a lot broader appeal than some of these other shows. My daughter loves Adventure Time, but I don't find it that funny. I think it all depends on the audience. If they grabbed that license, sure it might sell well or it might flop. LEGO obviously does their research and has a pretty good track record with sales -- look at Friends.

I didn't picture them getting The Simpson's, but I definitely don't picture them grabbing a lot of these licenses. It's like Oky said, maybe they are trying to broaden their age range? If it is strictly a 6-12 target audience, then they should technically be removing a lot of things from their line-up. Since that isn't the case, I can only imagine they are trying to aim at older teenagers/adults to keep interest alive. Hook 'em when they're young and give them something to continuously want. That right there is good financial stability..

[MatiPasio]

I'm waiting for Lego Sherlock Holmes. It would be the best Lego series ever!

[Blast]

I'm waiting for Lego Sherlock Holmes. It would be the best Lego series ever!

I'd prefer the original Sherlock Holmes as opposed to the Benedict Cumberbatch version. As much as I enjoy that rendition the original is much better.

[legofreak86]

I'd prefer the original Sherlock Holmes as opposed to the Benedict Cumberbatch version. As much as I enjoy that rendition the original is much better.

I agree. I think if there was a Sherlock Holmes license it would be either a license based on the films of 2009 and 2011 and the third that is rumoured to be in production or a classic non-movie Sherlock Holmes like the Granada itv television series with Jeremy Brett. If Sherlock (bbc)ever became a construction toy then character options would definitely have the monopoly on it as they already do doctor who. Sherlock and doctor who are both made by the bbc and both by the same parts of bbc under Steven Moffat. Due to character having an existing deal with bbc then it would be like the Disney thing with Lego. Anything Disney wanted in Lego would become a construction set. Character will basically make the TV show toys bbc want them to make.

Edited August 17, 2013 by legofreak86

[Blast]

I agree. I think if there was a Sherlock Holmes license it would be either a license based on the films of 2009 and 2011 and the third that is rumoured to be in production or a classic non-movie Sherlock Holmes like the Granada itv television series with Jeremy Brett. If Sherlock (bbc)ever became a construction toy then character options would definitely have the monopoly on it as they already do doctor who. Sherlock and doctor who are both made by the bbc and both by the same parts of bbc under Steven Moffat. Due to character having an existing deal with bbc then it would be like the Disney thing with Lego. Anything Disney wanted in Lego would become a construction set. Character will basically make the TV show toys bbc want them to make.

I'd settle for the Film License despite not having watched the 2009 and 2011 Films aesthetically it matches the original Sherlock and that floats my boat.

[KingPixels]

However, the fact another company has the rights does make it moot, and it's for the same reason that we won't see sets based on Star Trek anytime soon, and a not-entirely-dissimilar reason we won't see ever see sets based on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I'd personally love official LEGO themes based on all three, but oh well.

MLP is a show based on a toy line, so I don't think that'll happen with LEGO. Not that I'd really want it to anyway...

[legofreak86]

I'd settle for the Film License despite not having watched the 2009 and 2011 Films aesthetically it matches the original Sherlock and that floats my boat.

The film dabbles in action yet still stays true to the intellectual basis of the books and the character. They are actually fine films. I would definitely recommend them. A game of shadows is loosely based on the final problem and Jared hariss plays an exceptional moriarty. If Lego went down that road though they'd have to do what they did with Indiana Jones. have a wave of sets for Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2 and then have a wave for the new movie. Would be quite successful I'd say judging by the last two film's cinema takings.

[Blondie-Wan]

MLP is a show based on a toy line, so I don't think that'll happen with LEGO.

Well, yes, that was exactly my point - LEGO isn't going to get a license from Hasbro to make My Little Pony sets; it'd be like Volkswagen getting a license from Ford to make VW-branded Mustangs. That's what I meant by "a not-entirely-dissimilar reason we won't see ever see sets based on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic."

If MLP construction toys happen at all, they'll be part of Hasbro's KRE-O line.

Edited August 18, 2013 by Blondie-Wan

[Elrond]

I don't watch many animated series but I guess it would be nice to have some Legend of Korra sets. They could even go back to ATLA (and hopefully do a better job with it).

As for the traditional series, I'd love to see TLC make some sets based on the 2004 Battlestar Galactica series... but that will never happen.

[Faefrost]

The film dabbles in action yet still stays true to the intellectual basis of the books and the character. They are actually fine films. I would definitely recommend them. A game of shadows is loosely based on the final problem and Jared hariss plays an exceptional moriarty. If Lego went down that road though they'd have to do what they did with Indiana Jones. have a wave of sets for Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2 and then have a wave for the new movie. Would be quite successful I'd say judging by the last two film's cinema takings.

I'm thinking if Lego went down that road they would not even bother with a movie or TV license. The source material, the Arthur Conan Doyle books are now public domain, are they not?

[legofreak86]

I'm thinking if Lego went down that road they would not even bother with a movie or TV license. The source material, the Arthur Conan Doyle books are now public domain, are they not?

Yes but Lego's target audience are more likely to have seen the Robert Downey jr films of 2009 and 2011 than read the books of Conan Doyle. Yes some of the older ones might have but younger children may find them complex with the way they were written and the complex language. I doubt Lego would make a license of Sherlock Holmes unless there was a modern movie adaptation of it. They are planning another WB Holmes film for the near future(2015). As Lego have an existing and past arrangements with warner bros over harry potter, Lord of the rings/the hobbit and Man of steel I'd imagine if a new movie of the Sherlock Holmes franchise came out and warner wanted it made into a construction toy they would most likely turn to Lego to do it.

[Dorayaki]

As others have said, there have been a lot more TV show based themes, especially if you count non-System sets. Dora, Bob, Thomas, Little Robots, Galidor, Ben 10, just to name a few. There are also TV show based subthemes like Clone Wars and Ultimate Spider-Man.

Oh yes, I skipeed TMNT. I didn't think about non-System licenses too much. Also they don't keep doing with TLC but currently with other brands (eg, Dora and Thomas for Mega Bloks).

But we can see that many TV licenses here are for younger children, while only few for all-ages or teenagers. Though children do watch fewer movies than adults, I wonder if TV licenses for elder audience work.

Lone Ranger sets are obviously based on the current movie version, so it doesn't belong to here I guess.

Edited August 21, 2013 by Dorayaki

[Herky]

Quick question...mentioned the Disney license and Disney telling TLG to make anything it wanted...is that how Lone Ranger came about? PG 13 movie a bit above some of the target market and the film did horribly. Have not seen it but it is at our local reduced price theater now ($4 a ticket)

Sherlock Holmes, I love it, I own around 400 SH books. I actually didn't care for the Downey films, really like Jude Law but he was just not Watson to me. Nor was Downey a good SH. Good films yes, but just more steampunk version of SH. Would buy every set they made in this line though, the problem is how would you do it?

Hound of Baskervilles could be made but the hound is more a monster fighters hound. You aren't going to do the Speckled Band, nor most of the stories due to the content being more morbid for the target audience. Would love to hear what folks think, to me I would love to see someone do a MOC on Reichenbach Falls, but overall I think SH is more dark than where TLG wants to go.

[Dorayaki]

Quick question...mentioned the Disney license and Disney telling TLG to make anything it wanted...is that how Lone Ranger came about? PG 13 movie a bit above some of the target market and the film did horribly. Have not seen it but it is at our local reduced price theater now ($4 a ticket)

It was mentioned in the Disney thread. I haven't watched it , but they don't really appear me due to similarity with Western things and alittle lack of Disney originality. In some cases, I might be fonder of Disney Channel shows.

I'm not a Holmes fan, but it's hard to judge when there's lots of versions to be chosen from, and usually the most current and worldwide adaption film is chosen. Still maybe this series don't have a clear target audience.

[legofreak86]

Quick question...mentioned the Disney license and Disney telling TLG to make anything it wanted...is that how Lone Ranger came about? PG 13 movie a bit above some of the target market and the film did horribly. Have not seen it but it is at our local reduced price theater now ($4 a ticket)

Sherlock Holmes, I love it, I own around 400 SH books. I actually didn't care for the Downey films, really like Jude Law but he was just not Watson to me. Nor was Downey a good SH. Good films yes, but just more steampunk version of SH. Would buy every set they made in this line though, the problem is how would you do it?

Hound of Baskervilles could be made but the hound is more a monster fighters hound. You aren't going to do the Speckled Band, nor most of the stories due to the content being more morbid for the target audience. Would love to hear what folks think, to me I would love to see someone do a MOC on Reichenbach Falls, but overall I think SH is more dark than where TLG wants to go.

If there was a license it would be with warner bros for the next film and maybe have sets for the last two, as Lego's target audience are unlikely to have read the books but may have heard of Holmes and seen the RDJ films. To be quite honest although Downey Jr's portrayal was different and no one can beat the great Jeremy Brett in the role of Sherlock Holmes, I thought the films were very well done and both invented their own adaptations of popular stories and included nods to the books but still made it an enjoyable action packed extravaganza. The Film really was a master class in cinematography. Had I not known Robert Downey JR from iron man. I would never had suspected he was American as I am from and in Britain. I can say his accent was superb and his mannerisms and demeanour were everything I'd both expect from someone in the 1800s England and the character himself. Still back to subject I would not mind in the least if they did a RDJ Lego Sherlock Holmes 1,2,3 line with warner. I'd buy it all and I'm sure it would be a very popular line.

[Flobnomdob]

I'm still really disappointed no-one's noticed how awesome a Thunderbirds theme would be. It would fit TLG's target audience perfectly if it wasn't 50 years old. It has what TLG likes- vehicles, exploding play functions and lots of detail. It wouldn't need to have any new molds, either. We just need this... http://www.bricklink.com/PL/98381.jpg?1

I must CUUSOO it...

[Mogywar]

Sherlock :D

[legofreak86]

Sherlock :D

Afraid not. The show isn't aimed at Lego's target audience due to it being shown after the watershed. Plus there have never been toy ranges whatsoever for Sherlock unlike doctor who. If there were, character options would hold the monopoly on construction sets and figures. So it is unlikely Lego will ever get Sherlock unless they get doctor who because character realises that their sets are of poor quality and is causing low sales. Then again they'd never decide that. Despite both things being true.

[LibraryBoy]

Ditto on the love for Adventure Time... just imagine how many weird-but-awesome sets they could get out of that license! Just getting Finn & Jake's treehouse alone would be pretty rad.

[legofreak86]

This probably belongs in DC but I'd like to see an Arrow Theme based on the new TV series: The license is dc's and WB's so Lego would have no trouble getting the license from them. Set ideas:

Huntress pursuit £12.99 includes Arrow (TV show design)with bow And a double sided face. One face with the green paint for the mask and one without. Huntress (TV show design) with crossbow with double sided face one with mask and one without. The set includes A dark green quad bike for arrow and a black motorcycle for huntress and a street feature.

Dark archer ambush £19.99 includes Arrow, Dark archer (TV show design) one side of face with mask over mouth and one side without (facial likeness of john barrowman) and Detective lance (TV show design). Set includes Dark archer's black sports car with missile launcher in the back, a police car for detective lance and a zip line from a lamppost for arrow to use his bow to abseil down.

Arrow's lair attack £39.99 includes Oliver queen (shirtless with scars), John Diggle (TV show version), Felicity smoak (TV show version), Arrow and dead shot (TV show design)lair includes two levels one with a bar and club façade at the top and one with arrow's lair and stairs going between the levels. The lair includes climbing bars, and equipment storage and computer screens like this new one in season 2: http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130721211456/arrow/images/5/51/Aa.png

Merlyn tower final battle £89.99 Includes Arrow, Oliver queen (blazer and shirt no tie), Malcolm Merlyn (in black suit with pale blue shirt and purple and patterned tie), Dark archer, John Diggle, Tommy Merlyn (TV show design), Laurel lance (TV show design) The set should comprise of Merlyn tower in a modular style with a large roof with space for fighting. The tower should have 4 levels and a lift system like the death star. The bottom floor should be the reception with a desk and opening doors for the lift, The next floor should be an elevator shaft to recreate the scene in darkness on the edge of town when Oliver uses a grapple gun to swing across to another level. The next floor should be a computer server level. The 4th level should be Merlyn's office with breaking desk features and other statues and ornaments and an opening compartment with space for Merlyn's costume and accessories. Then the roof with a exit from the building and space for arrow and dark archer to battle.

Edited September 6, 2013 by legofreak86

[Faefrost]

This probably belongs in DC but I'd like to see an Arrow Theme based on the new TV series: The license is dc's and WB's so Lego would have no trouble getting the license from them. Set ideas:

WB outright owns DC and fully controls any DC licenses.

TV shows are weird for licensing. There are reasons why we don't see very many television licenses. They really aren't worthwhile until a show has deep deep penetration of the pop culture. Often meaning it is well established in syndication and reruns and has spread internationally to a great degree. Things like the Simpsons, Star Trek, and such are good candidates. Otherwise they often need some sort of cross media pull, such as TMNT. Something like Agents of SHIELD is a good candidate for that.

The core issue is how many eyeballs actually see the show, and how widespread are they in Lego's marketing areas? In this case Arrow has some positives and some negatives. On the positive side it is part of the overall DC comics property. And still recognizable as such. So it can draw fans that way. On the negative, it is a show on the CW network in the US. A network that draws slightly less viewership overall than the morning farm report or the weather channel. If Lego were to make anything based on Arrow, it would probably be one set in heir DC Heroes line. In that case it would be WB requesting the set in order to use Lego to market the show, rather than the normal Lego using the show to market the set or theme. License holders do this sometimes. (See some great examples over in Star Wars. Any of the Old Republic sets. Or the Rogue Shadow set, which were created to drum up interest in the video games.)