MOC series: Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire

[Bugbot2008]

One of my favourite Disney movies from my childhood was Atlantis: The Lost Empire, I loved the industrial machines and the cartoon art style which was like a comic book and enjoyed the story and its characters a great deal. Set in the early 1900’s, the film follows a young linguist named Milo Thatch who dreams of one day fulfilling his grandfather’s dream of finding the lost city of Atlantis.

I recently decided to fulfil my childhood dream of designing a full range of sets based on the movie in the style of official LEGO sets, all in LDD. I have a total of 6 sets finished so far and will be posting them here one by one from smallest to biggest, I hope you enjoy them!

01. Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, The Shepherd's Journal

The hero’s journey begins when he is approached by a mysterious woman called Helga Sinclair who introduces him to Preston Whitmore, a billionaire industrialist who knew his grandfather. In his office Milo is given the all-important artefact to begin the quest: The Shepard’s Journal, which includes maps and clues which only he can read which will guide an expedition to finding the lost city.

This small set marks the beginning of the adventure featuring:

- Preston B. Whitmore, Milo Thatch and Helga Sinclair minifigures

- The Shepard’s Journal book

- Printed tiles representing the portfolio papers of the expedition specialists and crew

- A miniature model of the Ulysses, the massive submarine which the expedition begins the journey on

- The fireplace, fish tank and a globe from the office as well as several small statues and other artefacts in Whitmore’s collection.

The model contains approximately 105 pieces.

02. Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Sub Pod

The expedition starts off aboard the Ulysses, a massive submarine, but is soon attacked by a gigantic mechanical sea monster known as the Leviathan. To defend itself the Ulysses deploys many small submarines called Sub-Pod’s which are armed with torpedoes to battle the monster.

Features include:

- Gaetan "Mole" Moliére and Vincenzo "Vinny" Santorini minifigures

- 8 flick-fire torpedoes mounted on the two main fins of the pod which can also rotate

- Opening cockpit which can fit both minifigures

- Spinning propeller

The model contains approximately 194 pieces.

If you like these models please support them on LEGO Ideas here: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/151747 and here: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/151758

Thanks for viewing!

Edited September 1, 2016 by Bugbot2008

[Bugbot2008]

03. Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Firefly Attack

This set is based on the scene where the expedition camp is attacked in the night by a surprise swarm of fireflies, creatures that set fire to the tents on contact! The crew desperately evacuate to shelter but the fuel tanker ‘oiler’ truck explodes, damaging a bridge causing the remaining vehicles to fall into a dark chasm...

This set builds two of the expedition convoy vehicles: the ‘oiler’ truck which carries the expedition’s fuel, and Cookie’s Chuck Wagon which carries all the food for the crew.

Features include:

- Commander L.T. Rourke, Milo Thatch, Cookie Farnsworth and an Atlantis expedition driver as minifigures

- Four brick-built fireflies

- ‘Exploding’ feature built into the oiler truck activated by pushing down a lever

- Lots of food and kitchen items contained in each of the Chuck Wagon’s 10 barrels and crates

- The rear of the Chuck Wagon pulls out to access more of the internal storage

- The small engine which pulls the Chuck Wagon has working tracks

The model contains approximately 434 pieces.

If you enjoy this set you can support it on LEGO Ideas here: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/151774

Three more to go!

Edited August 29, 2016 by Bugbot2008

[LegoDakin]

I think these are very good.

[Bricky Dee Williams]

You did a great job with these, but I have to say the sub is the best, in my opinion. I also like how you included the exploding function in the barrel truck, well done!

[Robert8]

Agree with Aegis 2000, the sub is the best!

The Firefly Attack looks like an actual LEGO set!

Good job!

[Bugbot2008]

Thanks for the support and nice comments! :)

Here is the next one:

04. Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Stone Fish Ambush

This set is based on the scene when Milo helps the people of Atlantis reactivate the ancient stone fish ‘Ketak’ vehicles and pursue Rourke and his soldiers who have taken Princess Kida and the crystal.

It builds two stone fish and two of the expedition convoy vehicles: Rourke’s Command Car and the specialised truck used to launch the small ‘planes’ known as Whitmore's Wings.

Set features include:

- Commander L.T. Rourke (Uniform), Vincenzo "Vinny" Santorini, Atlantean soldier and an expedition soldier as minifigures

- Each Stone Fish fires two energy bolts from it mouth, triggered from the back

- The truck transforms into a Plane-launching platform

- Pull-back and release mechanism powered by an elastic band launches the plane into the air

- Rourke’s Command Car features an opening roof and a small gun-turret

The model contains approximately 563 pieces.

This set can be supported on LEGO Ideas here: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/151782

Two more to go, and I have saved the best for last

Edited August 29, 2016 by Bugbot2008

[PicnicBasketSam]

These are all really nicely done. I'm not sure if LEGO Ideas allows the posting of whole themes, though... that being said, they all actually look like real LEGO sets.

[Merc4Hire]

These look great! Definitely already look like official LEGO sets, especially the Stone Fish Ambush.

[Bugbot2008]

These are all really nicely done. I'm not sure if LEGO Ideas allows the posting of whole themes, though... that being said, they all actually look like real LEGO sets.

Yes I read about that in the rules, so I was carful to word each item as a stand alone project, so the situation is the same as others who have submitted several projects from the same theme.

[Bugbot2008]

Almost done!

05. Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Balloon Battle

This set builds the climactic battle of the film, centred around the ‘Gyro-Evac’ balloon which Rourke and Helga try to use to steal Princess Kida and the crystal. They aim to use the shaft of a dormant volcano to reach the surface with their treasure, but not if Milo, the expedition specialists and the Atlanteans can stop them.

The set includes the balloon and four additional vehicles and many features:

- Minifigures included are Commander L.T. Rourke, Helga Sinclair, Milo Thatch, Audrey Ramirez, Joshua Sweet, Princess Kida (crystal form) and two expedition soldiers

- The ‘Water-Vat’ tanker truck is modular in construction and the tank on the back opens up at the top just like in the movie. The space inside is sufficient to contain the crystal chamber, plane and some other accessories.

- The troop transport truck has a winch to load up the crystal chamber to take it away from the city to the volcano shaft

- The crystal chamber opens up to put the Princess Kida minifigure inside

- Recreate the aerial battle with the plane and flying ‘Aktirak’ stone-shark

- The balloon has six spinning propellers and many bombs which can be dropped

Size comparison of the different machines in this set:

The model contains approximately 1140 pieces.

This set can be supported on LEGO Ideas here: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/151798

One more to go, and if you have seen the film you may be able to guess what it is going to be!

[Bugbot2008]

And now for the grand final:

06. Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Mole's Digger

One of the most iconic machines from the film is Gaetan "Mole" Moliére’s tunnelling earth Digger. A massive vehicle like a tank or locomotive with a huge spinning, churning drill at the front with many teeth. This vehicle is by far the largest of the expedition convoy and was used up until the discovery of the city, it is also my personal favourite

My design of this set features the following:

• Milo Thatch, Gaetan "Mole" Moliére the expeditions’ geologist, Audrey Ramirez the expeditions’ mechanic, an expedition solider and two mask-wearing Atlanteans including Princess Kida as minifigures
  

• Rubber tank-treads at the front of the vehicle that turn as the digger moves forward
  

• The large rear wheels are attached to a differential and drive the drill rotation. This is engaged by a switch on top of the back of the digger
  

• As the digger moves forward the front section of the drill rotates counter-clockwise and the rear section rotates clockwise by means of a technic turntable
  

• The top of the front of the digger has storage compartments for two tool crates
  

• The roof of each cabin can be removed easily for playability
  

• The rear engine bay can open up to reveal valves and dials
  

The model contains approximately 1300 pieces.

If you like this creation I would greatly appreciate your support for it on LEGO IDEAS here: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/151810

I'll post some group images of all the above together in various configurations and then might have a go at creating something even bigger from the movie

Thanks for your feedback and all your support!

Edited August 31, 2016 by Bugbot2008

[Bugbot2008]

Here are the group shots of the convoy and a profile comparison showing the relative sizes of the models:

[Kintobor]

The lot of these are fantastic, but that digger is really something! The Water Vat truck and the balloon are also really well replicated. I used to love this movie as a kid, and I still hold a soft spot for it, so seeing these was a nice treat. Great job!

[daryen]

Wonderful models. Enjoyed the movie back then, too. Thanks for showing them!

[Dosenbrot]

Atlantis is one of my favorite movies of Disney, and I always wanted LEGO sets of it. This is literally a dream come true! You really nailed the look of the models!

Speaking of models, you have any plans for building the Ulysses or the Leviathan, because that would be sweet.

[Bugbot2008]

Atlantis is one of my favorite movies of Disney, and I always wanted LEGO sets of it. This is literally a dream come true! You really nailed the look of the models!

Speaking of models, you have any plans for building the Ulysses or the Leviathan, because that would be sweet.

I have some ideas for the Leviathan first, it would use a mixture of Bionicle parts and regular Lego, and would include a micro Ulysses and a stand to show it 'swimming'

As for the ulysses itself I imagine a model comparable to the helicarrier, but that project is a long way off for now ;)

On an unrelated note the digger has recently passed the threshold of 100 supporters so thanks everyone!

Edited September 19, 2016 by Bugbot2008

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

I have very fond memories of this film. The builds you have made are comprehensive and impressive. They remind me of Rock Raiders.

[Aethersprite]

Lovely designs! The small sub is instantly recognizable. I'd buy a real set of that in a heartbeat. Keep up the good work!

[Lordofdragonss]

Funny I rewatched movie yesterday... You did outstanding job on designing these - very recognizable! I am impressed that you menaged that without specialized pieces!

[Digger of Bricks]

Say @Bugbot20082, have you yet seen GunnBuilding's submission to LEGO Ideas yesterday? 

LEGO Ideas - Subpod from Atlantis: The Lost Empire

[Bugbot20082]

On 4/30/2020 at 12:55 PM, Digger of Bricks said:

Say @Bugbot20082, have you yet seen GunnBuilding's submission to LEGO Ideas yesterday? 

LEGO Ideas - Subpod from Atlantis: The Lost Empire

That looks great! 
nice details with the printing and interesting style with the stand/launch mechanism.
It’s amazing how he built the same sub at the same scale and seems to have literally not used any of the same parts as me for any bit of it!

Glad to see more Atlantis love in the Lego community :)

[Digger of Bricks]

On 6/3/2020 at 7:26 AM, Bugbot20082 said:

Glad to see more Atlantis love in the Lego community :)

BTW, on a somewhat unrelated note, have you yet seen this? 

Collider - Exclusive: ‘Atlantis: The Last Empire’ Co-Director Kirk Wise Reveals Details of Proposed Sequel