Should the Orient Expedition theme come back?

[larsyuipo]

Even though we get johnny thunder in the lego movie.

Should this theme come back? It was a great theme and got alot of great and nice stories/builts.

http://lego.wikia.co...ient_Expedition

Why should it come back:

• It is a great line for kids
  
• Great stories
  
• Fun builts
  
• Much creativity for kids
  
• There is not really a theme like this. With this i mean: Nothing about India, China etc
  

DISCUSS:

Edited December 29, 2013 by larsyuipo

[lifeinplastic]

There's nothing to discuss... it should definitely come back!

Not just the Orient theme but other parts of the world - one of my favourite set of the Orient was the elephant cart so it would great to add more animals like rhinos, hippos, kangaroos, giraffes, plus more boats and trains (Trans-Siberian?), cable cars, an underwater set (with old-style divers) and the Arctic.

I'm disappointed the Lego Movie isn't more Adventure-theme orientated.

[Manx]

Offcourse, return of Adventurers!

[Faefrost]

I think as Lego has matured and gotten much deeper global penetration some of the older themes just look a little uncomfortable. How would Orient Expedition look in China or India today? They kind of seem heavily vested in that Colonial period "Passage to India" type vibe. While an new Asian or Eastern themed line would be great, it might work better under a Castle theme. The whole "Johnny Thunder crew seeking treasure in foreign lands" thing heads into dangerous territory without a very tight fantasy type story backing it up. Better something with a more fleshed out and well rounded set of local protagonists.

[legofreak86]

The mummy tomb of the dragon emperor film was so similar to orient expedition. They not only got away with discovering the terracotta army but portraying the 40s Chinese soldiers as imbeciles plus turning one of their Real life historical figures into a magician/monster played by one of the most stereotypically associated with china actors around (Jet lee). Lego would be more respectful than that and the storyline of that film seemed loosely based on orient expedition.... I see your point though!

[Dorayaki]

Johnny Thunder was a parody character derived from familiar action movies with treasure huntings, for that TLC didn't target at getting licenses, but now they do. And therefore, Orient Expedition isn't unique enough or exclusive to Lego. I think as more and more licensed themes appear, the return of Orient Expedition would be less possible.

Unless TLG can come up with a story that is more powerful than Hollywood movies and heavily features Lego's playablity.

While an new Asian or Eastern themed line would be great, it might work better under a Castle theme. The whole "Johnny Thunder crew seeking treasure in foreign lands" thing heads into dangerous territory without a very tight fantasy type story backing it up. Better something with a more fleshed out and well rounded set of local protagonists.

Agree. If the star is exotic elements, the action part would be less important. A historical theme is more useful for lovers of cultures. It's become boring to see more generic mediebal army in Castle sets.

Edited January 3, 2014 by Dorayaki

[Aanchir]

Orient Expedition was a decent theme, but for me it felt a bit disjointed and difficult to collect. Unlike previous Adventurers story arcs where each year would focus on a particular setting, Orient Expedition was released in a single year but included three separate settings: the jungles of India, the Himalayas, and finally China. From a story perspective, this made for an exciting adventure story in three acts. But from a collecting perspective, it made it more difficult to commit to collecting the entire theme when not all of the sets were visually compatible with each other.

If Adventurers were to return, I think it would be better with a storytelling style more like the classic sets: focusing on one setting and one adventure for one or two waves, then moving on to a new setting and a new adventure. Instead of merely retrieving one artifact from each setting, there would be multiple artifacts in each setting that lead the heroes toward the final artifact, much like the map fragments in the first two waves.

Perhaps the story could also go back to its roots with the Adventurers seeking these artifacts among ruins with supernatural protectors, rather than having to confront civilized locals like in Orient Expedition. While Orient Expedition had some colorful enemies and allies, it felt a bit culturally insensitive to present local leaders like Maharaja Lallu and Emperor Chang Wu as actual villains. You could still have enemies native to the region, as stories like the Adventures of Tintin and Indiana Jones have done in the past, but having them as the highest-ranking government officials in the region feels a little off.

[mon-o-mat]

Johnny Thunder was a parody character derived from familiar action movies with treasure huntings, for that TLC didn't target at getting licenses, but now they do. And therefore, Orient Expedition isn't unique enough or exclusive to Lego. I think as more and more licensed themes appear, the return of Orient Expedition would be less possible.

Unless TLG can come up with a story that is more powerful than Hollywood movies and heavily features Lego's playablity.

I like the old principle more. The Sets are cheaper because there is no license to pay. But what I think is better, is that there is more freedom when creating sets. I often imagine scence like this:

"Hey guys I made this fantastic set."

"How wonderfull. But it won't get produced, because it isn't in the movie."

Edited January 5, 2014 by mon-o-mat

[Dorayaki]

I like the old principle more. The Sets are cheaper because there is no license to pay. But what I think is better, is that there is more freedom when creating sets. I often imagine scence like this:

"Hey guys I made this fantastic set."

"How wonderfull. But it won't get produced, because it isn't in the movie."

Similarity still has to be avoided, or licensed themes with a better character design and backstory are still preponderant. If OE has a chance to return, it should also be deeply considered and redesigned in order to be more unique and popular.

Or in other cases, like Clutch Powers, this series also includes different themes together but they're with unique characters. I personally want to see this series revive instead.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Dorayaki

[LegoPanda]

bring back lego Adventures, that would be great, i always liked the hat of johnny

[Darth Punk]

The upcoming city arctic sets seem to along the lines of adventure. Perhaps TLG is already moving in the direction. I do think that they will use the variety of themes in the lego movie as an indicator of future lines.

Because after all what is the lego movie, if not the ultimate ad for Legos.

Edited January 7, 2014 by Darth Punk

[skeaghshee]

For sure possible we will get new molds from exotic animals and a new mold elephant will be also very fine :)

[motorhead fan]

yes, i think it should come back!! it would be really cool! my sister was a large fan of the caracter Johnny Thunder so was i actually

[Dorayaki]

The upcoming city arctic sets seem to along the lines of adventure. Perhaps TLG is already moving in the direction.

Well, I don't know if that's a "direction" or "confusion", since natural creatures or scenes should have an independent theme instead of a subtheme of City, or it has to be a wild adventure just like Orient Expedition.

Edited January 16, 2014 by Dorayaki

[Knightsword]

Maybe, but it wouldn't be the same, as Lego would have to walk a tight rope in advoiding Asian stereotypes today, more so then they did 10 years ago.

[gedren_y]

Orient Expedition had some great parts that were so unavailable. I never even saw these sets in any of my local stores. The theme itself, though, seems too scattered. If there ever is a reboot of the idea, the various cultures would best be represented with separate adventures. The bad guy should be an outside character, and Johnny Thunder (if they use him) should be helping the locals.

Edited January 19, 2014 by gedren_y

[Captain Braunsfeld]

Yes, the adventurers should come back!

I loved the balloon and the boat and and and ... Helped me to recreate the flavour of the old Jules Verne stories.

[Lyichir]

Yes, the adventurers should come back!

I loved the balloon and the boat and and and ... Helped me to recreate the flavour of the old Jules Verne stories.

We haven't had a good hot-air balloon set since Adventurers, have we? I'd love to see one done with modern parts and techniques (particularly for a more rounded balloon).

[MrBrick&BoB]

Absolutly !

I love the orient theme. It were a great revolution as the Orient theme expire.

Nice story and new colors and parts.

BoB

[Ardelon]

I dont know about the "Oreint Expedition" coming back, that subtheme is done, but Im all for an Adventurers-type theme (especially if it would be THE Adventurers) set in Asia or anywhere else (well... maybe anywhere except ancient Egypt). Like lifeinplastic above, I also imagined the Adventurers on other adventures, such as:

- under the sea investigating a shipwreck for treasure (certain CMFs, mainly the old-style diver made this scenario very MOCable; sea monsters or ghost/zombie/skeleton pirates and conquistadors are optional)

- in the Arctic (the CMF eskimo and the new huskies and polar bear would fit here very well; I actually though about getting a Marvel Thor figure and making my Adventurers go seek Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor)

- somewhere in the middle east, again made possible thanks to the Prince of Persia line

- in Europe, investigating a ruined castle, maybe on Baron von Barrons / Sam Sinisters home turf

Though as far as Asia and other "exotic" locations, I agree with the above debate that it would have to be handled more careully - having the Great White Explorers come into foreign countries and and help the hapless natives fight against their own evil rulers doesnt seem too PC for a theme nowadays.

EDIT: 500th post! I shall now be known as Sir Ardelon!

Edited February 4, 2014 by Ardelon

[Dayton]

I love realestic adventure type themes such as Oreint Express & Indiana Jones. So i would love for it to come back.

[Godtshep]

I agree with Aanchir.

[Faefrost]

We haven't had a good hot-air balloon set since Adventurers, have we? I'd love to see one done with modern parts and techniques (particularly for a more rounded balloon).

The Star Wars Planets molds would work well for that. Heck if you have the old set you could probably just swap in the planet for a much netter look?