Lord of the Rings Ongoing Discussion

[hvader]

Listen as someone who got the Barad Dur recently… I’m actually happy about the bust. I got that set for the tower, and I’ll happily take a duplicate Sauron, one of my favorite fictional villains

[brimbolet]

5 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

Very interested to see which direction they go for with Minas Tirith and how it turns out. Quite a few possibilities.

I think there is only one way that it can work: it must be somehow in scale with Lego's Barad-dur. If it's too big than they'll look ridiculous on display next to each other.

[mirkwoodspiders]

Super exciting rumor about Minas Tirith. I hope, if it turns out to be true, it's not as controversial as the Death Slice, as it would probably need to be close to that expensive and have as many/more parts to be done well.

The Sauron bust sounds like a great idea. I wonder what other ones they might have up their sleeve

[BitByBrick]

As much as I love the idea of a Minas Tirith set, especially for the minifigures, how could it be done well? I’ve seen several fan created versions that are decent, but when Lego gets ahold of something they don’t quite have the design concept. The one caveat is that Rivendell was probable the best executed set, by far, in any theme. Just hoping for another WOW and not a much anticipated disappointment.
 

With the scale so large, is it going to be an architecture style set? Or will they focus in on just the top (tree, etc.)? 

[Shroffy123]

1 hour ago, BitByBrick said:

As much as I love the idea of a Minas Tirith set, especially for the minifigures, how could it be done well? I’ve seen several fan created versions that are decent, but when Lego gets ahold of something they don’t quite have the design concept. The one caveat is that Rivendell was probable the best executed set, by far, in any theme. Just hoping for another WOW and not a much anticipated disappointment.
 

With the scale so large, is it going to be an architecture style set? Or will they focus in on just the top (tree, etc.)? 

If rumor is true, I think Lego could do a good job with  $400 set if they just focus on the citadel. Minifig would be denathor,  faramir,  pippin, fountain guards, gondor soliders, and maybe the witch king. 

[Lordhelmet]

35 minutes ago, Shroffy123 said:

If rumor is true, I think Lego could do a good job with  $400 set if they just focus on the citadel. Minifig would be denathor,  faramir,  pippin, fountain guards, gondor soliders, and maybe the witch king. 

My top minis tirith concepts 

1) something like this - aligned with Rivendell, focus on the white tree, courtyard, citadel, throne room, in the $400-$500 range and this line up.

2) micro scale like the recent hogwarts castle and grounds - $200 and includes one Gondor soldier

3) Barad Dur style (micro exterior / scenes for interior) $750 would include 20 minifigures 

4) multiple sets that go together like the current hogwarts castle (maybe each one is a level)  this would be my favorite thing but would require a lot of sets and coordination and the theme to be real and not just an icons sub theme

[brickbride]

15 hours ago, brimbolet said:

Disappointing that the sets are clearly 18+ again; why not even a single set that is aimed at kids?

Show me one kid these days that knows what LotR even is, let alone would prefer sets for it over ones for Ninjago, Marvel, and so on. I mean I do think they should make cheaper sets as well since not all of us can or want to afford those large sets, but this is very much an adult IP. I don't blame LEGO for not marketing it to kids if there's no real target group to be found amongst them.

Edited September 20 by brickbride

[MAB]

10 hours ago, Lordhelmet said:

1) something like this - aligned with Rivendell, focus on the white tree, courtyard, citadel, throne room, in the $400-$500 range and this line up.

 

This is my preferred option, but also with the beacon tower included. A bit like Rivendell, with the tower raised slightly higher to give the impression of another level rather than to scale.

[Black Falcon]

23 hours ago, mtrsteve said:

Exciting that we are getting our first rumors for 2026! Anyone know how reliable the leakers are for both (the bust and minas tirith)?

You never can be 100% certain of course, but usually they are quite well informed. 

The funny thing is, as there were rumours before, or discussions on what the next set would be, where Helms Deep and Minas Tirith were the two main guesses, we basically already discussed everything we would discuss about it without more information.

[Rjbricks]

12 hours ago, brickbride said:

Show me one kid these days that knows what LotR even is, let alone would prefer sets for it over ones for Ninjago, Marvel, and so on. I mean I do think they should make cheaper sets as well since not all of us can or want to afford those large sets, but this is very much an adult IP. I don't blame LEGO for not marketing it to kids if there's no real target group to be found amongst them.

There’s one falling asleep in his bed next to me right now. He’s constantly complaining that the Balrog Booknook is the only set he’ll ever be able to get.

But I fear he’s the exception rather than the rule. At his birthday party today, none of the other 7 year olds had the faintest clue what LotR was. Stars wars and Minecraft are the current orders of the day.

[zoth33]

6 minutes ago, Rjbricks said:

There’s one falling asleep in his bed next to me right now. He’s constantly complaining that the Balrog Booknook is the only set he’ll ever be able to get.

But I fear he’s the exception rather than the rule. At his birthday party today, none of the other 7 year olds had the faintest clue what LotR was. Stars wars and Minecraft are the current orders of the day.

That's nice and all but kids in general don't care about LOTR.  My youngest son loves the Hobbit/LOTR movies but he is in the minority and Lego knows this.  LOTR merch doesn't sell well to kids it's mainly adults.  

[hikouki]

Maybe they might make this a series of dioramas - minifig scale, with a micro-build scale exterior in the form of a slice! Just like the Death Star! The first $1500 Lego set! It will contain 28 minifigs, only two are exclusive! Six more minifigs feature separate characters, while the rest of the 20 are the same-print figures. Great for army building!

[zoth33]

24 minutes ago, hikouki said:

Maybe they might make this a series of dioramas - minifig scale, with a micro-build scale exterior in the form of a slice! Just like the Death Star! The first $1500 Lego set! It will contain 28 minifigs, only two are exclusive! Six more minifigs feature separate characters, while the rest of the 20 are the same-print figures. Great for army building!

For $1500 this better contain 60 minifigs.  

[Altair1]

On 9/20/2025 at 3:24 AM, Shroffy123 said:

If rumor is true, I think Lego could do a good job with  $400 set if they just focus on the citadel. 

I really hope they don't do that. I want a whole Minas Tirith, which will cost at least 800 bucks to be decent. But on the worst case if it is only partial I will just MOC the rest myself.

[Jarreth2]

Everyone remember the Ideas Challenge they help "Exploring the World of Middle Earth" where the Grand Prize winners were Gandalf Rides to Minas Tirith for the scene section and Lothlorien for the location section and the runners up were the Argonath and Gollum and the Forgotten Pool .. this challenge was a couple of years ago now .. are the rumours possibly the start of something from this challenge forthcoming ??? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Edited September 21 by Jarreth2

[sonofasubmariner]

Quote

My top minis tirith concepts 

1) something like this - aligned with Rivendell, focus on the white tree, courtyard, citadel, throne room, in the $400-$500 range and this line up.

2) micro scale like the recent hogwarts castle and grounds - $200 and includes one Gondor soldier

I would prefer the former, but I suspect it will be the latter. Although it will probably be much more expensive.

[mirkwoodspiders]

On 9/19/2025 at 9:04 PM, Lordhelmet said:

My top minis tirith concepts 

1) something like this - aligned with Rivendell, focus on the white tree, courtyard, citadel, throne room, in the $400-$500 range and this line up.

2) micro scale like the recent hogwarts castle and grounds - $200 and includes one Gondor soldier

3) Barad Dur style (micro exterior / scenes for interior) $750 would include 20 minifigures 

4) multiple sets that go together like the current hogwarts castle (maybe each one is a level)  this would be my favorite thing but would require a lot of sets and coordination and the theme to be real and not just an icons sub theme

My preference would be 3). But, I honestly think I'd be happy with any of those options. Minas Tirith is going to be really difficult to pull off however they do it, so I'm trying not to imagine much of anything right now.

[hikouki]

Lego now knows how much we are all so hungry for more...

If we expect something to be $400, it will probably be $600, etc.

I bought Rivendel, Barad-dur, and the Shire all on day one. But I haven't bought that book nook.

[Blazej_Holen]

4 hours ago, hikouki said:

Lego now knows how much we are all so hungry for more...

If we expect something to be $400, it will probably be $600, etc.

I bought Rivendel, Barad-dur, and the Shire all on day one. But I haven't bought that book nook.

The only way to make Minas Tirith under the price of Rivendell / Barad Dur is to make it in microscale as a display set only. If Lego do it that way, I would be dissapointed, but at the same time with a bit of relief, since it will be easy pass for me. 

 

BUT.

 

If its minifig compatible (at least like Barad Dur), we should expect $800 set at minimum. It wont have all 7 levels, but it will probably ilustrate the overall shape with most of places inaccesible for minifigs (because of scale), with some scenes, such as Throne room, Main gate, possibly House of Healing, Palantir room (not in the movies but anyway...) and Lighthouse tower/something, maybe with light brick :) 

 

Minifigs would be mixed bag I guess:

1. It has to have at leas Gondor soldiers (I guess max 4 including Faramir in armour) this requires new printing and new mould for helmet and possibly a shield

2. Gandalf in white attire

3. Pippin in gondorian attire

4. Denethor

5. Witch King - new mould for helmet

6. Éowyn - new mold for helmet, updated Rohan shield

7. Théoden - new mold for helemt, updated armour piece and shield, + white horse (please with barding)

8. Some orcs (same as in Barad Dur set), I guess 2-4 max.

9. Aragorn possibly in gondorian attire, either way woth new print and possibly new mould for complete Anduril

10. Merry in Rohan attire

That makes 16 figs + horse and maybe brick built Fell Beast. 

Something like this is reasonable and expectable based on previous experience with how Lego does their Flagship sets locked behind IP such as this one...

 

In adition to the above mentioned, there could be Boromir with gondorian attire (even though he was in Osgiliath scene and not Minas Tirith), maybe 1-2 rangers (but I dotn think so) and maybe MAYBE one troll.

 

As of side builds, it depends on how many scenes Lego would like to include. Maybe Grond and one siege tower could make sense... Trol will move the Grond and orc would be depicted on siege tower, while Witch King battles with Théoden , Éowyn and Merry.

 

 

 

[Artanis I]

I finally ordered Barad Dur, I noticed that it (and Rivendell+Shire) had 2x points.

[Altair1]

42 minutes ago, Blazej_Holen said:

If its minifig compatible (at least like Barad Dur), we should expect $800 set at minimum. It wont have all 7 levels, but it will probably ilustrate the overall shape with most of places inaccesible for minifigs (because of scale), with some scenes, such as Throne room, Main gate, possibly House of Healing, Palantir room (not in the movies but anyway...) and Lighthouse tower/something, maybe with light brick :) 

Yes, I am quite hopeful that they will go with something like this. I think 5 levels would be enough for the white city to look decent. 

[MKJoshA]

My guess is it'll be $500 and I'm hoping it's more like Rivendell than Barad-Dur. I was surprised we didn't get more figures in Barad-Dur. I worry that Lego will pull the same stunt with Gondor. The Shire was okay for fig selection. But nothing beats Rivendell yet. The full Fellowship plus so many extras, that was a treat. It's how Lego should treat these large, adult focused sets. It shouldn't be a one-off. But I have no faith that Lego will give us what we deserve and will skimp out on the figures again. 

[RichardGoring]

47 minutes ago, MKJoshA said:

My guess is it'll be $500 and I'm hoping it's more like Rivendell than Barad-Dur. I was surprised we didn't get more figures in Barad-Dur. I worry that Lego will pull the same stunt with Gondor. The Shire was okay for fig selection. But nothing beats Rivendell yet. The full Fellowship plus so many extras, that was a treat. It's how Lego should treat these large, adult focused sets. It shouldn't be a one-off. But I have no faith that Lego will give us what we deserve and will skimp out on the figures again. 

Agreed. Minas Tirith has the grandeur to potentially compete with Rivendell as a final model. The opportunity for incredible builds are there too. The lack of colour range could ding it compared to Rivendell, but maybe the potential for some solid colour blocking could really make it 'pop'. But, I think it will be crazy expensive to make Minas Tirith compete with Rivendell if they try to capture anything more than just the seat and citadel. I hope I'm wrong on that though and they can pull it off.

[hikouki]

8 hours ago, Blazej_Holen said:

The only way to make Minas Tirith under the price of Rivendell / Barad Dur is to make it in microscale as a display set only. If Lego do it that way, I would be dissapointed, but at the same time with a bit of relief, since it will be easy pass for me. 

 

BUT.

 

If its minifig compatible (at least like Barad Dur), we should expect $800 set at minimum. It wont have all 7 levels, but it will probably ilustrate the overall shape with most of places inaccesible for minifigs (because of scale), with some scenes, such as Throne room, Main gate, possibly House of Healing, Palantir room (not in the movies but anyway...) and Lighthouse tower/something, maybe with light brick :) 

...

 

 

 

...as long as it is not a FLAT slice, I'll be okay. 

5 hours ago, MKJoshA said:

My guess is it'll be $500 and I'm hoping it's more like Rivendell than Barad-Dur. I was surprised we didn't get more figures in Barad-Dur. I worry that Lego will pull the same stunt with Gondor. The Shire was okay for fig selection. But nothing beats Rivendell yet. The full Fellowship plus so many extras, that was a treat. It's how Lego should treat these large, adult focused sets. It shouldn't be a one-off. But I have no faith that Lego will give us what we deserve and will skimp out on the figures again. 

The limited minifig lineup of Barad-dur was disappointing. It would not have mattered if there were small, follow up sets to complete the minifig lineup, but no. 

4 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

Agreed. Minas Tirith has the grandeur to potentially compete with Rivendell as a final model. The opportunity for incredible builds are there too. The lack of colour range could ding it compared to Rivendell, but maybe the potential for some solid colour blocking could really make it 'pop'. But, I think it will be crazy expensive to make Minas Tirith compete with Rivendell if they try to capture anything more than just the seat and citadel. I hope I'm wrong on that though and they can pull it off.

What about a series of smaller sets that can be assembled together? A la Harry Potter?

[GeoBrick]

1 minute ago, hikouki said:

What about a series of smaller sets that can be assembled together? A la Harry Potter?

Well, LEGO could start with the center 'slice': the great gate of the city with attending bastions, and perhaps (part of) the rock that towers above it. 
They'll have to make sure to bring out the most expensive set first though, just as they did with Rivendell.