Tolkien licence?

[willy_poodle]

If they've tried, I have no idea why they haven't got it. I suppose it's quite expensive, but it would sell extremely well.

And if they haven't tried, then I have no clue why as well.

I'm sure it would sell at least as good as Star Wars.

Does anyone have any information about it?

[Eskallon]

I don't have any info but would like it to come. There are endless possibilities and as a LOTR fan I would have to buy all the sets.

[Mariann Asanuma]

I heard -- and this is from a friend of a friend, so take it as you like -- that when the LOTR trilogy movies were made LEGO was offered to do license, but that they thought the movies were too violent!

A shame really, considering that the knock-off brand that ended up getting it did such a lousy job.

And of course Star Wars isn't violent at all . . .

[Ratshot]

And of course Star Wars isn't violent at all . . .

Or Indy or pirates or castle or Exo Force or all the different space themes, no there not violent, well...... are they?

I'm just being sarcastic

[Zorro]

I would just love to have a new LOTR theme, but I also seriously doubt if too violent would be the only reason not to make a line. Perhaps also too expensive? Too exclusive? Too much themes already? ...?

[Minifig Lecturer]

I would have thought from a wholly business point of view it would not have made sense to have another licensed theme around the same time period, bearing in mind there was SW and HP.

Obviously many people who loved SW also loved LOTR but these only had one LEGO budget. Making multiple themes at the same time would lose TLG money.

As LOTR is a franchise whose interest should last amongst many people I wouldnt rule out a franchise in future. In any case, with trolls, dwarfs, and the array of new parts in the last 10 years it is becoming ever more easier to make realistic LOTR MOCs.

[prateek]

Or Indy or pirates or castle or Exo Force or all the different space themes, no there not violent, well...... are they?

I'm just being sarcastic

Or City

[gormadoc]

I would love to see a Tolkien licence, but the only information I can give you is this, 'Traveller's Tales also created a demo for a Lego version of The Hobbit as a pitch to Jackson'. I hope that this is some help.

Edited November 14, 2009 by gormadoc

[kill will]

I would love to see a Tolkien licence, but the only information I can give you is this, 'Traveller's Tales also created a demo for a Lego version of The Hobbit as a pitch to Jackson'. I hope that this is some help.

I thought it was Del Toro directing the Hobbit films?

But if there was to be a license, it would be with the Hobbit movies, as they are (supposedly) less violent and I doubt the current generation would remember the older films.

[Etzel]

I thought it was Del Toro directing the Hobbit films?

It is, but Peter Jackson will be executive producer and co-writer.

I'm a Tolkien fan so of course I would love some sets from the new Hobbit film. But I don't think it's realistic, LEGO missed the LOTR films and now they have such an awful lot of licensed themes already. We can always hope but I doubt we will see any sets

[Mariann Asanuma]

I thought it was Del Toro directing the Hobbit films?

But if there was to be a license, it would be with the Hobbit movies, as they are (supposedly) less violent and I doubt the current generation would remember the older films.

First of all, I think that it will be a Hobbit movie, not movies plural, it only has one book. And the Hobbit is a lot less violent than the LOTR trilogy, in fact its my favorite Tolkien book.

I have heard of the Hobbit LEGO demo, that would be really cool if LEGO made it, but I'll wait till I see it. However, considering that they are bringing out Prince of Persia and Toy Story next year anything is possible.

One thing I have to disagree on is Calvin's mention

Obviously many people who loved SW also loved LOTR but these only had one LEGO budget. Making multiple themes at the same time would lose TLG money.

Calvin, the LEGO company doesn't think like that, trust me I know. It wouldn't lose LEGO money to have a lot of themes, because even if some people like most or all the LEGO themes, other people only like a few. Plus I'm pretty sure that if LEGO had come out with a LOTR theme at the same time as Star Wars, a lot of people would buy both themes, even if it was a strain on their wallets.

[Joebot]

First of all, I think that it will be a Hobbit movie, not movies plural, it only has one book.

Jackson confirmed a while ago that there will be two Hobbit movies. Here's some more info on that:

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/hobbitfaq/

I could definitely see a Hobbit license as a more realistic possibility than the LOTR license. The story in The Hobbit skews a little younger than LOTR.

Unfortunately, Lego's obsession with vehicle-centric themes and licenses makes it seem kind of unlikely. I'd love to see it though. A Lego Smaug would be really great ...

[Omicron]

I would love to see a Tolkien licence, but the only information I can give you is this, 'Traveller's Tales also created a demo for a Lego version of The Hobbit as a pitch to Jackson'. I hope that this is some help.

Source?

-Omi

[Calanon]

No thanks, I don't want LoTR Lego.

Why?

Well...

I absolutely love Lord of The Rings so much, that I'd have to buy everything, and then I'd have no money left.

But if I had enough money and the sets were good quality, then .

[Stash2Sixx]

Personally, and sorry everyone, but I would hate to see a LOTR license. I love LEGO, don't get me wrong; I wouldn't visit this site as much if I didn't. But when I see the price difference in licensed sets verse normal LEGO themed sets, it is an incredible difference. The Castle theme has expanded on the fantasy realm for a few years now, and as creative and resourceful builders, we can almost always find ways to create what we want.

I guess if anything, I'm really apologizing to the LEGO purists.

[Corvus]

First of all, I think that it will be a Hobbit movie, not movies plural, it only has one book. And the Hobbit is a lot less violent than the LOTR trilogy, in fact its my favorite Tolkien book.

Same here. I've only just started actually reading the LOTR books (not counting an abandoned attempt when I was 8) and so far, I've found that the Hobbit is a lot easier, or maybe clearer, to read than the rest of the books.

Personally, and sorry everyone, but I would hate to see a LOTR license. I love LEGO, don't get me wrong; I wouldn't visit this site as much if I didn't. But when I see the price difference in licensed sets verse normal LEGO themed sets, it is an incredible difference. The Castle theme has expanded on the fantasy realm for a few years now, and as creative and resourceful builders, we can almost always find ways to create what we want.

I guess if anything, I'm really apologizing to the LEGO purists.

I see what you mean. Personally, I don't see quite as much of a difference between licensed and non-licensed sets. I remember that there are still some real doozies out there price-wise for other sets. However, if the Amazon prices are what Lego will be charging, then I'll have to believe you.

At any rate, it would probably give us some new parts that might end up drifting into the Castle theme- if the two could manage to co-exist.

[Elander]

Question!

What do you think about a survey?

Title: Do you want LEGO Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings?

Possible answeres:

-Jes! I want LEGO Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and LEGO to buy the Tolkien Licence!

-No! I won't LEGO Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings and LEGO don't buy the Tolkien Licence!

-I don't care!

Christmas 2012 will come the Hobbit in the Cinemas.

The perfekt time for a survey is now. For LEGO time enough to contemplate.

And our opinion counts!

[Mirandir]

I think the problem here is getting the LOTR/Hobbit licence to co-exist with the castle/kingdom theme. After all the only difference will pretty much come down to the skincolor of the minifigs...

Another problem I see with LOTR is that for most places, like helms deep or those towers etc, to be really recognizeble from the movies they need to be either microscale or freaking huge.

A problem with "The Hobbit" is that it doesn't feel anywhere near as iconic as LOTR is.

[Grimmy]

I heard -- and this is from a friend of a friend, so take it as you like -- that when the LOTR trilogy movies were made LEGO was offered to do license, but that they thought the movies were too violent!

A shame really, considering that the knock-off brand that ended up getting it did such a lousy job.

And of course Star Wars isn't violent at all . . .

I might have my dates off but this is my guess as to answer why Star Wars would get the green light but not LoTR. It was a matter of timing and money. Lego was originally against all this new stuff from what I've read they have turned away lots of license offers in the past. They don't like too many guns if any at all, and they don't like the Hollywood thing as it takes away kids imaginations and instead they focus on copying the TV. As an artist and someone into psychology I can go into this a lot but I don't want to get off track. Lego has Scandinavian toy making roots. They don't make toys purely for profit, they have a family view which I like. So anyway, as you may know Lego almost closed down when they lost money for a couple years, over 300mill. A new guy came in, I forget his position but he's at the top. This guy helped save the company by making tons of changes and that's when they started taking in a bunch of license deals. Sooo, I believe that the Lord of the Rings hype happened before all this, when Lego stuck to their roots, and what they believed in. It wasn't till after almost closing and the guy almost forcing the new ideas (Lego didn't want to do it at first) that then they took in all the stuff like Star Wars and Batman, ETC.

Thanks to the new business plan, Lego was saved and is one of the top Toy Companies. Also oil which goes into making plastics, has gone back down per barrel price. While the economy is rough right now, Lego has been making a serious amount of money. I believe last year they made over 300mil. While other toy companies are in trouble they are doing awesome. Thanks to downsizing components and using power functions, taking in licenses, and venturing in other areas, etc. Less expensive molds to make, less set specific parts.

When Peter Jackson's new Hobit Movie comes out, don't be surprised if Lego has a line come on. I'd bet they do. I'd actually love it if they did though it'd be more money for me to spend so I'll be fine if they don't lol.

I did a ton of researching on Lego when I came back. My memory can be off at times so I can't remember the exact things said but that is the jist. :)

Edited November 29, 2009 by Grimmy

[Hound Knight]

^ Good points you've got there, the Hobbit movies are scheduled to come out in 2011 and 2012, I believe in December of both years.

[thelast]

I just can wish for Tolkien license.

Although "Hobbit" is not one of my favourite books, so if they make only toys from this book I would be slightly disappointed.

There is one thing mentioned in this thread which bothers me too, it is the scale of the buildings and battles of the Tolkien books. Imagine sets of 3-5 figures representing Isengard, 8 figures in Helm's deep or White city, or Rivendel

[Darth Hawken]

There is one thing mentioned in this thread which bothers me too, it is the scale of the buildings and battles of the Tolkien books. Imagine sets of 3-5 figures representing Isengard, 8 figures in Helm's deep or White city, or Rivendel

I completely agree with you if LEGO every made any thing from Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit the mini figures would be lacking and the size of the building or landscape as well.

My solution to the problem is have large scenes released in different sets that if you buy them all the could connect together to give you ine large building. THe smaller stuff like battle packs would just be one set.

But as for the idea of getting the Tolkien licence I believe is a brilliant plan, there are many LOTR and Lego fans out there. And is likly we will see sets when the hobbit comes out in 2011

[supertoad64]

I haven't read any of the books, but I have seen the movies, and although I would absolutely love to see some licensed sets get made in this theme, I doubt it will happen. Mostly because with the future Kingdoms line, and the Harry Potter revival, it seems like that will be a lot of castle/fantasy sets being produced. I'd be delighted to be proven wrong, though!

[Elander]

Hi,

I think the size of the buildings would be not the problem. Here we see for example the star wars sets. I find the sets fantastic, although they are so small. Therefore would give UCS-models (Death Star II or Taj Mahal style).

The normal play- and exclusive sets would to get the main characters (Bilbo, Frodo, Sam....). The great armies can you to collocate with Battle Packs. Or you play the LEGO Video Game: "Battle of Middle-earth". Here you would to have 10.000 minifigures. XD

I think so a "Vidoo Game" would be spectacular.

I say it again. Here are the possibilities and the potentialities infinite!

Edited February 4, 2010 by Elander