Could another LEGENDS-type Line be Successful?

[Lego David]

In 2001 and 2002, LEGO re-released some of their most iconic sets (such as Black Seas Baracuda, Fort Legoredo, etc) under the LEGENDS line. But due to  their limited release and the financial problems LEGO was facing at the time, the line flopped. So I was wondering, if re-done today, could another LEGENDS line work? Online shopping has grown a lot since the early 2000's (almost to the point where it will soon replace physical shopping) and so has the number of AFOLs willing to buy those sets if they were re-released. Not to mention, a lot of other iconic sets that would be good candidates for a re-release have come out since the original LEGENDS line. 

Those re-releases don't necessarily have to be exact copies of the original sets, they could also just be revamps of the original sets with updated pieces and minifigures, similar to the recent Ninjago Legacy wave. 

So what do you think? If done again today, could another LEGENDS-type line be successful?

[Driver Brandon Grumman]

I think that would be a stellar idea. Though if they were to do that, they would either have to limit production of Creator to a certain topic or get rid of that theme altogether in order for Legends to work. Back during the early 2000s, Legend was practically another version of that theme as they would often do buildings that weren't done under World City such as the re-release of Pizza To Go, 2002 Command Post Central re-release and the Gas N Wash Express re-release. "My Own Train" was also under Legend for a short amount of time. I personally would be all for it returning as it could be a chance for Lego to release more civilian infrastructure. This time it could have detailed interiors, but cheaper and simpler looking. Maybe as sort of a gap filler between City/Creator 3in1 buildings and modulars. 

[Medzomorak]

1 hour ago, Lego David said:

So what do you think? If done again today, could another LEGENDS-type line be successful?

Like an another Barracuda or Eldorado Fortress like revamp? Hell yeah. But Lego does not go blindly guessing around. The Pirate Bay what we get instead. Probably gonna be quite a big hit. I think the best we as a community can do to submit as much mindblowing pirate designs IDEAS as we can. AT LEAST if we're talking about the pirate theme.

Altough with other themes I see the similar strategy to make any effect as well. Vote by buying. Vote by not buying.

[TeriXeri]

In the current age (not including Covid), LEGENDS would be a lot more accessible.

The original LEGENDS line was LEGO exclusive, so limited available.

Internet shopping was a lot smaller, and there were far far less LEGO stores out there.

Nowadays, there's a lot bigger market + nostalgia will also help, especially for 70s-90s sets imo. (I know year 2000s sets are wanted out there, as well, but bringing back 20+ year old sets would fit a LEGENDS line better imo)

Edited March 23, 2020 by TeriXeri

[TeriXeri]

Well, LEGO just made a new Black Seas Barracuda integrated into the IDEAS set, which was also a LEGENDS back then.

It's not 100% the same of course, but if they'd do more like this, I'm definately interested in more Classic themed sets.

I think it's a great re-imaginging of the original for sure.

Edited March 24, 2020 by TeriXeri

[danth]

A Legends line could absolutely succeed if a few simple non-self-sabotage guidelines were followed:

1. Don't launch the line during a global pandemic/recession. Sadly the new Pirates of Barracuda Bay set will be hurt by this. 
2. Don't launch the line with no fanfare or marketing like the original Legends line
3. Don't make it hard to find the sets like the original Legends line
4. Don't make the boxes BORING BLACK AND WHITE like the original Legends line

Also, instead of releasing old sets exactly like the were, why not improve them or make updated homages? Like the Ninjago Legacy sets, or like the new Pirates of Barracuda Bay set.  

Edited March 24, 2020 by danth

[Lyichir]

I think the challenge compared to a theme like Ninjago Legacy is that that theme benefits from a couple unique factors. Its subject matter is still popular in part because of the availability and popularity of past Ninjago seasons on TV and streaming video, for one. And it also benefits from synergy with the rest of the sets based on the ongoing story. There's little doubt that Lego could do a stellar job with revamps of past sets, as the recently announced Pirates Ideas set shows, but could a broader series of revamps enjoy similar success? To be honest, it's hard for me to say.

If I were them and were interested in pursuing that idea, I'd start with that Ideas set and try to make it into a series of sorts. I feel like one large, premium revamp set per year (sort of like the ongoing series of Modular Buildings or Winter Village sets) would be a good start and could allow for bigger and more iconic classic sets to be reimagined with enough added detail and refined shaping that changes felt like unambiguous improvements, rather than necessary compromises like the ones made for the previous "Legends" sets. Limiting it to one larger set per theme per year would also allow a broad range of themes to be represented, as new sets are added and the ones from previous years remain available for at least two to three years.