New Theme Being Announced at New York Comic Con 2014

[Jared]

I hate to agree with everyone else who's said this, but... I agree. I very much doubt it's going to be Doctor Who. It's most likely JW, with Bionicle second in the list. However, I'm checking my youtube feed everyday for that LEGO IDEAS project review video.... fingers crossed Doctor Who...

[Faefrost]

Why is everyone turning themselves inside out expecting a whole big Dr. Who line? What is it with this boards ability to leap to conclusions, produce over the top wish lists, a host of unrealistic expectations, then go into a poop storm of fan rage when it turns out that what they were not only expecting but demanding not only isn't being made, but was never really even in the ballpark of consideration.

The new theme announcement will probably be Bionacle, or something similar that we have heard rumored but not announced. A dr. Who theme is highly unlikely at this point. We might see a one off Ideas set, maybe. But I hate to break it to you all, but after Character Builder just did lousy with that very license, and KreO did poorly with Star Trek? It's likely not in the cards. If Lego was to do a Dr. Who theme it would not be now. They certainly would not be announcing it now. Remember It takes 2 years to develop a licensed theme? And Lego would certainly use that time in this case as they would want the license to lay fallow for a year or two to allow remaining CB product to exit the market space. This assumes that it would be a license they would be interest to begin with, which is not a safe assumption. Dr. Who trends older than most of Legos core audience. Plus it is a hard thing to quantify into good play sets. You know actual fun toys and not just nerd display pieces.

So everybody stop, take a deep breath! Switch to decaf! And wait to see what they reveal. It's not going to be anything completely off the charts or unexpected. It will probably be Bionacle or Top Gear. JW is more of a long shot as the movie is still too far off to do any reveals. It might even be their new Elves theme (and let the rioting begin) or showing off the new Pirates stuff (nobody specified new license did they?) just relax. What comes will come. Just remember to have reasonable expectations, and in some cases don't forget to take your meds.

[punkkid364]

He said Deep Breath! It MUST be Doctor Who! :P

So everybody stop, take a deep breath!

[Darth Punk]

He said Deep Breath! It MUST be Doctor Who! :P

If he would have said everyone keep calm, then it would be dr. Who.

[Lind Whisperer]

Plus it is a hard thing to quantify into good play sets. You know actual fun toys and not just nerd display pieces.

Not sure exactly what you'd count the Simpson's CMFs as then...

[Blondie-Wan]

I hate to break it to you all, but after Character Builder just did lousy with that very license, and KreO did poorly with Star Trek? It's likely not in the cards. If Lego was to do a Dr. Who theme it would not be now. They certainly would not be announcing it now. Remember It takes 2 years to develop a licensed theme? And Lego would certainly use that time in this case as they would want the license to lay fallow for a year or two to allow remaining CB product to exit the market space. This assumes that it would be a license they would be interest to begin with, which is not a safe assumption. Dr. Who trends older than most of Legos core audience. Plus it is a hard thing to quantify into good play sets. You know actual fun toys and not just nerd display pieces.

I believe you're entirely correct about the scheduled announcement not dealing with Doctor Who; indeed, signs point to it specifically being the return of Bionicle. That said, I don't think Character Building's apparent failure with the license means all that much as far as how well a LEGO Doctor Who set or theme would do. LEGO is a huge, respected and beloved brand, with countless devotees of its own, while Character Building is hardly known at all (at least in the US) - how many of us here would even have heard of them if not for Doctor Who? I'm sure there are many people at this forum alone who love the series, but flat-out refused to buy the CB sets specifically because theirs were LEGO-like products that weren't actually LEGO, just as we refuse to buy KRE-O, Mega Bloks, Cobi, Best-Lock, etc. I'm sure LEGO is well aware of this, and taking it into due consideration in making its decision with regard to those Ideas projects.

That's not to say LEGO Doctor Who will definitely happen, of course, but I suspect that if it doesn't it'll be for a different reason you've put forth before - an inability of the licensing teams from LEGO and the BBC to come to terms.

Anyway... Yes, I think the announcement is for Bionicle.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Blondie-Wan

[Lyichir]

I believe you're entirely correct about the scheduled announcement not dealing with Doctor Who; indeed, signs point to it specifically being the return of Bionicle. That said, I don't think Character Building's apparent failure with the license means all that much as far as how well a LEGO Doctor Who set or theme would do. LEGO is a huge, respected and beloved brand, with countless devotees of its own, while Character Building is hardly known at all (at least in the US) - how many of us here would even have heard of them if not for Doctor Who? I'm sure there are many people at this forum alone who love the series, but flat-out refused to buy the CB sets specifically because theirs were LEGO-like products that weren't actually LEGO, just as we refuse to buy KRE-O, Mega Bloks, Cobi, Best-Lock, etc. I'm sure LEGO is well aware of this, and taking it into due consideration in making its decision with regard to those Ideas projects.

That's not to say LEGO Doctor Who will definitely happen, of course, but I suspect that if it doesn't it'll be for a different reason you've put forth before - an inability of the licensing teams from LEGO and the BBC to come to terms.

Anyway... Yes, I think the announcement is for Bionicle.

The one this Friday, or the Comic-Con announcement? Seeing as this Friday's announcement is practically confirmed to be Bionicle, I don't expect it to be the surprise theme at Comic-Con. It's possible, of course—a Comic-Con announcement would allow for more information on, say, media tie-ins, with Friday's reveal showing some of the sets. But I feel like that would undercut the Comic-Con announcement anyway, since while I'd certainly be happy with any and all info on the new Bionicle theme, the general public might be more interested in an exclusive announcement.

Personally, I'm hoping Comic-Con announces the Elves theme. What we've seen of it suggests it'll be a story-driven fantasy theme like Ninjago, Chima, and presumably Bionicle, which could mean it'd merit its own TV series or similar media. The sets we've seen are gorgeous—even my teenage self would probably buy them despite their girliness—and I'm itching for more information.

[Blondie-Wan]

Er - Friday's announcement; I somehow hadn't realized there was a separate Comic-Con announcement. If they're not one and the same, I imagine the CC one will be either Jurassic Park (most likely), or the next Ideas set (specifically Doctor Who, most likely, if it's being announced there), or perhaps both. But I'd expect this new Bionicle line to get at least some mention at CC, even if it's not the main focus of whatever LEGO does there.

[Lyichir]

Er - Friday's announcement; I somehow hadn't realized there was a separate Comic-Con announcement. If they're not one and the same, I imagine the CC one will be either Jurassic Park (most likely), or the next Ideas set (specifically Doctor Who, most likely, if it's being announced there), or perhaps both. But I'd expect this new Bionicle line to get at least some mention at CC, even if it's not the main focus of whatever LEGO does there.

I would agree with that. Bionicle's story was a big part of what set it apart from other themes, so I can't imagine Lego neglecting to talk about whatever story medium they have planned for its return. But I don't know if that's what was meant by the theme reveal, or if we should expect a separate reveal there.

New York Comic Con has put the panel schedule on their website but the Lego panel is curiously absent, so apart from what they've told to fansites when giving out tickets we don't have much to go on. It'll be interesting, that's for sure.

[tedbeard]

I really doubt it's Doctor Who. The UK would be the only place for them to sell well, and I really doubt that they'll release a entire theme that is exclusive to one country.

I think Dr Who would do well in Canada and the US. The show is gaining visibility and popularity in the states by leaps and bounds. It is certainly going to be well-known at any Comic-Con event.

That said, I am sure it is Bionicle.

[Pulp Detective]

Well they did said that the announcement will be HUGE so I hardly expect to be any D2C but a new theme maybe.(Bionicle anyone??)

Edited September 18, 2014 by LOTR343