Lord of the Rings Ongoing Discussion

[MAB]

2 hours ago, Something_Awesome said:

I don't think LEGO wants to take a chance on ROP sets. The show bombed real hard. Only 37% of its viewers finished the show. When doing a second season, you want to get at least most of your viewers back. That clearly won't be the case for ROP. It's also safe to assume that of the 37% that finished the show, a lot of them won't be back for season 2 either. I still think ROP sets would perform well no matter how bad the show is, but non-ROP sets are just lower hanging fruit and an easy slam dunk. 

That's for US viewers. It was 45% for worldwide. Part of the low numbers might be down to attracting the wrong viewers in the first place who start watching. It is an issue with advertising to all viewers rather than using demographics to advertise to just those likely to complete. Then there are all the people that want it to fail, either because it is not the movies or because they have more racist tendencies and so bomb both feedback and viewing completion.

[Black Falcon]

4 hours ago, MAB said:

That's for US viewers. It was 45% for worldwide. Part of the low numbers might be down to attracting the wrong viewers in the first place who start watching. It is an issue with advertising to all viewers rather than using demographics to advertise to just those likely to complete. Then there are all the people that want it to fail, either because it is not the movies or because they have more racist tendencies and so bomb both feedback and viewing completion.

Might be that those are part of the reason for people not to watch it further. Though I wouldn´t call everyone that disliked the skin colour of some of the actors racist. There are also those who just disliked the fact that they just don´t fit into the world of Middleearth they way they are introduced. Like normally the elves (and not only in middle earth actually) are described as having very bright skin, for instance. But I think the mayor problem for the fans of the books was actually the story itself. Although having the characters of the books the story isn´t very true to the source material. 

So yeah I can understand if fans of the book don´t like what RoP makes out of the lore, because indeed it is much better than what RoP presents us. And RoP has partly the same problems Williow did aswell. The story isn´t the best, and both have scenes you would just like to forget because they just make the whole series seem even worse. Also both actually had quite good settings and some of the costumes were pretty good too. But then there are some costumes where you ask yourself who the hell gave the ok for that (Willow wearing jeans for instance).

That beeing said, I watched both seasons to the end, and would have watched a second season for both. Because both series have really good moments and honestly there isn´t that much good high fantasy around anyways. Overall both series are not great but they are ok - and kinda I still would have wanted to know how they ended - at least for RoP we still can see that and I really hope they use their chance and make things better than they did in season one.

[BrickBob Studpants]

9 hours ago, Something_Awesome said:

I don't think LEGO wants to take a chance on ROP sets.

They couldn't at the moment, even if they wanted, as Amazon apparently doesn't have any merchandising rights, which is why no ROP merch exists  My stance on the matter is pretty neutral. The show isn't terrible, but also comes nowhere close to the movies. I'd buy sets if they existed, but also won't lose any sleep over them never getting made. Just release more LotR D2C sets and I'm good

[MAB]

2 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

They couldn't at the moment, even if they wanted, as Amazon apparently doesn't have any merchandising rights, which is why no ROP merch exists  My stance on the matter is pretty neutral. The show isn't terrible, but also comes nowhere close to the movies. I'd buy sets if they existed, but also won't lose any sleep over them never getting made. Just release more LotR D2C sets and I'm good

I'm similar. I watched ROP all the way through and thought it got better towards the end but it isn't as good as the movies. By its nature it is more drawn out, but that is what TV episodes do. I find the Stars TV shows quite boring compared to the movies. I got through Obi Wan and the Book of Boba Fett, but couldn't get into The Mandalorian. I wasn't a fan of TBOBF episode that was entirely about the Mandalorian. I think I probably preferred ROP over the SW series. 

 

But yeah, without merchandising agreements, I doubt LEGO will be going there. I'm not really sure toys would be that popular anyway, given the age demographic that watched ROP. 

[Lordhelmet]

To change topics from ROP , the gringots gift with purchase is a perfect example of what they should do for LOTR if they keep doing big sets.  Something that attaches to the set and adds an extra mini figure.  Perfect for a big LOTR set (for Barad Dur) a small rocky outcrop with Isildur would be pretty cool, or anything from that Battle would be cool as a GWP.

[MKJoshA]

14 hours ago, Lordhelmet said:

To change topics from ROP , the gringots gift with purchase is a perfect example of what they should do for LOTR if they keep doing big sets.  Something that attaches to the set and adds an extra mini figure.  Perfect for a big LOTR set (for Barad Dur) a small rocky outcrop with Isildur would be pretty cool, or anything from that Battle would be cool as a GWP.

It's what they should have done for Rivendell instead of the brickheadz. 

[MAB]

15 hours ago, Lordhelmet said:

To change topics from ROP , the gringots gift with purchase is a perfect example of what they should do for LOTR if they keep doing big sets.  Something that attaches to the set and adds an extra mini figure.  Perfect for a big LOTR set (for Barad Dur) a small rocky outcrop with Isildur would be pretty cool, or anything from that Battle would be cool as a GWP.

They are quite different scenarios though. The HP GWP is rumoured to be for any HP sets over the threshold and not tied to one specific set. Whereas LOTR has just one big set. If something attaches to the big set and is only available by buying the big set, they might as well include it with the big set.

[Lordhelmet]

2 hours ago, MKJoshA said:

It's what they should have done for Rivendell instead of the brickheadz. 

Agreed, would have been awesome to have something like that for Rivendell. They did it for the Eiffel Tower too (among a few other sets) so there was precedence for Icons sets.  It would be pretty awesome if they did a small scene to add on to Barad Dur (if they do release it) as they missed the opportunity with Rivendell.   Seeing the Harry Potter one is a perfect example too of what it could be.

[Balrogofmorgoth]

6 hours ago, MKJoshA said:

It's what they should have done for Rivendell instead of the brickheadz. 

Absolutely. Either a little scene that can add on to Rivendell, or something like Professor Tolkien at his writing desk, similar to the Eiffel GWP 

[MAB]

3 minutes ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

Absolutely. Either a little scene that can add on to Rivendell, or something like Professor Tolkien at his writing desk, similar to the Eiffel GWP 

To me, that type of thing is better than an add on of something missing from the set. The problem with a GWP of something purposely removed from the set and added back on through a GWP is if you miss the GWP promotion period or if you want to buy from another retailer, then you are forever missing part of a big model. Whereas something tangentially related is a nice extra little build that is different to the main large set but it doesn't matter if you don't get it.

[Black Falcon]

I really don´t like GWPs where you have to buy a certain Set at a certain time to get it. I mean, usually those Sets would be very expensive. I am very glad, that the Harry Potter GWP works for all Sets of the theme and not only the bank.That beeing said, with Rivendell that just wouldn´t have worked, with the lack of other sets to buy.

[Balrogofmorgoth]

22 hours ago, MAB said:

To me, that type of thing is better than an add on of something missing from the set. The problem with a GWP of something purposely removed from the set and added back on through a GWP is if you miss the GWP promotion period or if you want to buy from another retailer, then you are forever missing part of a big model. Whereas something tangentially related is a nice extra little build that is different to the main large set but it doesn't matter if you don't get it.

I agree. I can imagine something like an exclusive print on a tile saying “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” As you say, a GWP like that wouldn’t take anything away from the set for people who can’t get it right away. It would also be very meaningful to Tolkien readers.

20 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

I really don´t like GWPs where you have to buy a certain Set at a certain time to get it. I mean, usually those Sets would be very expensive. I am very glad, that the Harry Potter GWP works for all Sets of the theme and not only the bank.That beeing said, with Rivendell that just wouldn´t have worked, with the lack of other sets to buy.

That’s very true. I also don’t think a lot of people really needed to be given the extra incentive to buy Rivendell. First legit LOTR set in 10 years plus being so beautifully designed and including plenty of minifigures, I think it was bound to do well regardless. 

[Lordhelmet]

So at this point we are hoping that 10332 Icons set is Barad Dur and it comes with a GWP.  Or are we still expecting that they release a bigger line of LOTR late next year like in the fall/winter cycle of 2024/2025?  

[Black Falcon]

17 minutes ago, Lordhelmet said:

So at this point we are hoping that 10332 Icons set is Barad Dur and it comes with a GWP.  Or are we still expecting that they release a bigger line of LOTR late next year like in the fall/winter cycle of 2024/2025?  

I don´t see high chances for that. My hope is still, that they will new Sets when the new movies come out. And then also new Sets for LotR.

[Balrogofmorgoth]

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the passing of J.R.R. Tolkien. Thank you Professor for your legacy that allows us to escape at will into your brilliant and beautiful mind. Some of the best lego sets ever made would not exist without his incredible work. Hail the victorious dead! 🍺

[NoOneOfImportance]

Am I the only would who wouldn't mind if LEGO just started doing architecture sets for LOTR in the style of the new Hogwarts? 

[sahidko]

Probably not the only one, but I think there have already been quite a few discussions about microscale vs. playscale to say there is also group of people who would mind if that's all we get. :)

[Balrogofmorgoth]

On 9/5/2023 at 2:12 PM, NoOneOfImportance said:

Am I the only would who wouldn't mind if LEGO just started doing architecture sets for LOTR in the style of the new Hogwarts? 

I would adore that, but not at the cost of actual playsets

[hikouki]

On 9/5/2023 at 11:12 AM, NoOneOfImportance said:

Am I the only would who wouldn't mind if LEGO just started doing architecture sets for LOTR in the style of the new Hogwarts? 

Maybe I would not really mind those so much as long as we still get minifig scale sets, and actual minifigs on all sets. LOL

[brimbolet]

On 9/5/2023 at 8:12 PM, NoOneOfImportance said:

Am I the only would who wouldn't mind if LEGO just started doing architecture sets for LOTR in the style of the new Hogwarts? 

Only if each set had at least 4 minifigs "for display" - otherwise I would consider it a real waste just like the brickheadz...

[Altair1]

I would welcome any new LOTR set, whether it is miniscale or microscale... anything but Brickheadz of course (I own every single LOTR set except these ugly things)

Edited September 11, 2023 by Altair1

[Timobricko]

(Probably Unpopular opinion) Assuming they still continued with other sets, I'd like to see more brick heads. The first batch they made for lotr still sit on my shelf and I quite enjoy them even though I don't have any other brick heads. Would be fun to have the whole fellowship in that style. Admittedly the Gollum one is a bit of a disgrace though haha. Ideally this is on top of Minifigure sets but certainly wouldn't be unhappy if they made more. 

[Triceron]

Anyone have any idea if the LOTR weapons sprue might get released on PAB?

I noticed that on first release, the weapon sprues for the new Monkey Kid sets weren't available, but they put em up for sale on PAB over time.  Not quite sure if they're planning on doing that for something like the LOTR weapons.  I'd love to get my hands on Narsil without having to shell out $600+ CAD for it.

On 9/5/2023 at 11:12 AM, NoOneOfImportance said:

Am I the only would who wouldn't mind if LEGO just started doing architecture sets for LOTR in the style of the new Hogwarts? 

That's actually a cool idea.  I could see them doing it in sections and eventually you can combine a bunch of different sets to create a full map of Middle Earth.  Like a hobbit hole to represent the Shire, the great hall for Rohan, etc.

[azog]

On 9/15/2023 at 12:46 PM, Triceron said:

Anyone have any idea if the LOTR weapons sprue might get released on PAB?

I noticed that on first release, the weapon sprues for the new Monkey Kid sets weren't available, but they put em up for sale on PAB over time.  Not quite sure if they're planning on doing that for something like the LOTR weapons.  I'd love to get my hands on Narsil without having to shell out $600+ CAD for it.

I really doubt they will sadly! Lego usually doesn't put their licenced parts on the PAB site. My best advice would be to get one off of Bricklink! That's what I did at least, only cost me $20 US!

[Balrogofmorgoth]

I’m really interested to see what the design of the new Orcs will be. I’m so used to the 2012 design. It would be cool to at least get the Orc hair piece back