Each license is probably treated differently. A star wars license doesn't allow just figures to be sold, but that doesn't mean they didn't get a different agreement with Fox for Simpson's. I'm pretty sure the press release said they will have one set and a cmf line.

There hasn't been an official press release for The Simpsons line yet. We just have confirmation that there will be, references in the catalog and certain inside sources to the CMF and House set.

There is a very slim chance of making a CMF series based on a license IP. They may do a Simpsons but I have serious doubts. TLG has stated numerous times they can only use a licensed theme as a play-set. Hence why no one can get huge quantities of Star Wars Stormtroopers sold separately. They have to come with Lego bricks (as a set) as it goes against what they are allowed to do in so far as the licensing agreement stipulates. With that in mind I doubt any of the Licensed IPs would allow it. Not to mention TLG losing the integrity of the CMF line as a whole. The CMF series 12 makes perfect sense both from marketing standpoint and promotion for the movie. Plus they are non-licensed characters.

If they produced a retro line that would be cool.

Each license is unique and specific. And what constitutes a construction set or play set is defined for each one. The Star Wars license does not allow for separate Minifigs as others have the action figure license. But Star Wars does allow for what we call Battle Packs. Whereas LotR / Hobbit seems to have a higher requirement of pieces per minifig, which is why we see sets like Uruk Hai Army, Orc Forge and Dol Goldur Ambush instead of the Star Wars sized and priced Battlepacks. While there are rumors that the Superhero lines might not have these restrictions and were considered for CMF's. The rumor is that the SDCC exclusive figs were originally designed for a CMF line. Some of the Disney lines also may not have the restrictions. Lego released a PotC figure only Battle Pack. (Hmmm? How would a straight up "Disney" line of CMF's be? Cinderella? Jack Sparrow? Tron? Peter Pan? Etc. kind of like a Kingdom Hearts game in minifig form.)

The rumor is that the SDCC exclusive figs were originally designed for a CMF line.

I believe that was just some random blog theory. I know that is incorrect, because SDCC minifigs are created specifically for the event which is handled by the US PR department at LEGO.

But, I think it would be a very good idea if they did decide to make a line.

The Simpsons feels a bit more shallow. Yeah I know they have built up a large cast of characters. But it just doesn't feel the same.

Star Wars would be great for a CMF line if the license could allow it. Star Trek as well if they had that license. I'm not sure that LotR would work as well. While beloved the various characters just don't have as much visual distinctiveness. Medieval guy, medieval guy, elf, medieval guy, dwarf, etc etc. accessories, sword, bow, axe.

(Hmmm? How would a straight up "Disney" line of CMF's be? Cinderella? Jack Sparrow? Tron? Peter Pan? Etc. kind of like a Kingdom Hearts game in minifig form.)

I agree with the Simpsons part. They're all famous because of this show, but not necessarily classic.

I have opposite opinions. TLC seems not to agree with Star Wars CMF since they used to make each kind of trooper exclusive in regular sets, and they can hardly give any kind of character or trooper as CMF choices. One thing I worry about is there is no LotR sets announced along with its prequel series in 2014, while there are still many possible sets and notable characters not being made. If TLC don't make more LotR products, a CMF series would be the last resort. For Superheros, it indeed seems quite wierd since TLC had made so many exclusive minifigure bags, which means they didn't plan to have a Superhero CMF at all.

Disney could have the widest range of characters among all licenses, and they also have the best diversity. If Disney make this deal, it has to be a longterm project with multiple series and still ongoing when Disney have new films. I don't mind having one Disney CMF series every year.

Edited November 3, 201311 yr by Dorayaki

One thing I worry about is there is no LotR sets announced along with its prequel series in 2014, while there are still many possible sets and notable characters not being made.

What? No, we've seen at least 4 Hobbit sets for 2014 already.

One thing I worry about is there is no LotR sets announced along with its prequel series in 2014.

What? No, we've seen at least 4 Hobbit sets for 2014 already.

Look twice and you can understand I guess.

I really, really hope the future of CMF series does not turn to licensed figures in place of the current format. The Lego motto of the 90s was 'Just Imagine' but nowadays Lego seem over-reliant on using themes other than their own. A real shame for those who love Lego for its own themes and always have done i.e. not just temporary fans that like the novelty of having their favourite films charcters, etc made into a figure and will turn to another hobby/format once the license comes to an end. I know the licensed themes are very successfully financially for The Lego Company but they should try to stay loyal to their original brands where possible. The CMF line has been the best thing that has happened for collectors of non-licensed themes for a long time, with the introduction of new moulds and there is still plenty of characters for Lego to cover in future series without resorting to a license.

I really, really hope the future of CMF series does not turn to licensed figures in place of the current format. The CMF line has been the best thing that has happened for collectors of non-licensed themes for a long time, with the introduction of new moulds and there is still plenty of characters for Lego to cover in future series without resorting to a license.

I think it's been discussed. For now we're still not saying that license CMFs will replace original CMFs, so it's not your problem.

About your concern, it's correct sometimes but it even occurs in regular sets (similar films and old themes), not just CMFs. And we shouldn't neglect those needs and supports who think some license have longterm potential.

Edited November 3, 201311 yr by Dorayaki

I think it's been discussed. For now we're still not saying that license CMFs will replace original CMFs, so it's not your problem.

I guess it depends if Series 13 is definitely the Simpsons or not. If it becomes a series and there are only 2 non-licensed series next year - No. 12 (albeit from The Lego Movie but still Lego's 'own' theme) and Series 14, instead of the usual 3 then I would class that as replacing original CMFs and yes, I would have a problem if that was the case.

Sorry if it has already been discussed but I thought i would add my opinion, as I haven't yet posted once in this thread.

Look twice and you can understand I guess.

Your sentence structure confused me, and I thought you were lumping them together instead of saying that there wasn't any LotR stuff as well as the Hobbit stuff. Apologies.

Your sentence structure confused me, and I thought you were lumping them together instead of saying that there wasn't any LotR stuff as well as the Hobbit stuff. Apologies.

I'm no native speaker so I'm sorry for that, too. Anyway, hope that there will still be more LotR-era sets so we won't need CMFs.

Look twice and you can understand I guess.

We would not know of any LotR sets for next year at this time. It's a fairly safe assumption that they alternate between Hobbit and LotR, with LotR being the summer release off cycle from the movies. So we probably will not see hints of another LotR wave or notice its absence until around April. Regardless LotRs is really not a good CMF candidate. It targets an older audience. The figs while nicely detailed tend to be more earth tones in pallet, with complicated names and back stories. It would be great to have for the true fans, but won't bring in the kiddies. Besides hints are that the New Line middle earth license is if anything more restrictive than SW.

I agree Star Wars while a good candidate, is probably better serving Lego in its current model. I would not expect that to change in any way until maybe the new movie comes out. Lucasfilms might want a CMF line as a tie in marketing thing. Much like the Lego Movie is doing. I suspect that series 12 may not simply be an "internal license" for TLG. It may also be an experiment to take back to certain license holders and say "see, we can do this too, and do this movie tie in for you".

Series 14(?) looks to be a similar business model experiment where they are looking to tie a "Skylanders" type gameplay element into the line. Which could be huge if the game takes off.

Edited November 3, 201311 yr by Faefrost

I guess it depends if Series 13 is definitely the Simpsons or not. If it becomes a series and there are only 2 non-licensed series next year - No. 12 (albeit from The Lego Movie but still Lego's 'own' theme) and Series 14, instead of the usual 3 then I would class that as replacing original CMFs and yes, I would have a problem if that was the case.

Yes. If TLC want to promote licensed CMF without losing customers, they need to release at least four series in 2014. My bottom line is two original series if TLC are running out of ideas and need some time.

We would not know of any LotR sets for next year at this time. It's a fairly safe assumption that they alternate between Hobbit and LotR, with LotR being the summer release off cycle from the movies. It would be great to have for the true fans, but won't bring in the kiddies.

I agree Star Wars while a good candidate, is probably better serving Lego in its current model. I would not expect that to change in any way until maybe the new movie comes out. Lucasfilms might want a CMF line as a tie in marketing thing.

Sadly, that's true. Most CMF fans are probably kids and they would have fewer interests in LotR CMF. So let's hope LotR sets are still coming out.

TLC have been trying to capture any scene and ship from the trilogies, so there are almost nothing left for a CMF series. The only part that TLC seldom touch is the Expanded Universe, however, characters from novels and video games would not be as famous as the trilogy characters and could make a CMF look weird, though I'd really love to see young Mara Jade.

Edited November 4, 201311 yr by Dorayaki

I guess it depends if Series 13 is definitely the Simpsons or not.

Alas, it will be for sure.

TLC have been trying to capture any scene and ship from the trilogies, so there are almost nothing left for a CMF series. The only part that TLC seldom touch is the Expanded Universe, however, characters from novels and video games would not be as famous as the trilogy characters and could make a CMF look weird, though I'd really love to see young Mara Jade.

Characters from the Expanded Universe may also in some cases get into weird rights or licensing issues. Lucasfilms normally is very very tight in how they control such things, but it still comes down to TLG basing product designs on another non Lucas producers published works and art. Yeah, they have done it a few times, such as Biowares TOR ships. But I can understand why in many other cases both TLG and LF would be hesitant to put things to the test unless or until they have a character locked down on film in one of their directly owned properties such as a movie or TV show.

Any chance that they're going to make this guy here?

I hope so but would prefer the guy in the grey hat in your banner below!

(in yellow of course)

Edited November 26, 201311 yr by lifeinplastic

Any chance that they're going to make this guy here?

Unfortunately no TLG would not produce that. Lego's philosophy has always maintained they would not make anything 'religious' or things based on the World Wars.

Edited December 16, 201311 yr by Wodanis

Let's hope S12 and S14 have some nice slots for such. S14 is said to.

Do we have rumors or knowledge of what series 13 and 14 will be? I know the rumor is Simpsons for one of them, but what is the other?

Steve

Do we have rumors or knowledge of what series 13 and 14 will be? I know the rumor is Simpsons for one of them, but what is the other?

Steve

The other is rumored to be based on the Minifigures MMORPG.

Any chance that they're going to make this guy here?

Woah, where is that picture from? I'm sure that if Lego weren't going to ever make a physical pope, they wouldn't have a design for one either (not saying he's going to be made).

Woah, where is that picture from? I'm sure that if Lego weren't going to ever make a physical pope, they wouldn't have a design for one either (not saying he's going to be made).

That's not a pope but Sinterklaas, a version of Santa Claus popular in parts of continental Europe. The picture, I presume, is from Lego's webpages. Doubt it's ever going to see the light of day as a real minifigure, but it would be a cool figure for sure.

Sinterklass would be a great inclusion for another pre-Christmas wave. CMF has a history of international designs and holidays too. I agree t hat this figure is not a CMF design as I don't believe they would design a staff for him like this. Still it would be great.