LEGO Collectable Minifigures Future Series Rumours

[Renny The Spaceman]

9 hours ago, zoth33 said:

Your missing the point.  All of those licenses have their fans.  I know plenty of people who have no idea what Looney tunes, Muppets, Simpsons, etc are.  Also there will be people that don't know DnD but it is quite popular.  I'm saying that it's not a complete derailment because all of the other licensed cmf's have people that liked them and didn't.  Also like the OP said that the CMF's are meant to be for everyone then why is lego doing Marvel, DC, Simpsons, HP, etc because non fans aren't really going to pick them up unless there is useful parts they can use for their figs.  Your making huge assumptions that people know all of this stuff there are millions of people all over the world that know nothing of HP, Marvel, DC, Simpsons, Looney tunes etc.  

No but there is a difference, it's not qualitative but it's there. LEGO's brand image now is based around the Funko Pop model of luring in adults with a bunch of popular brands done in the same simplistic artstyle, yes while if someone just really doesn't like one of these brands they won't buy it there are plenty of people who wouldn't self identify as Simpsons fans, or disney fans or so on but do have generally positive memories from watching something from that series as a kid and thus is will buy a couple packs casually because it's two things they recognise put together and that has a much broader appeal to the public than a bunch of classes from a game you know of/played a bit of as a teenager. I think something a lot of us struggle to get is a lot of the consumption of pop culture iconography now aren't based on any particularly strong fandom, most funko collectors don't have a particularly strong connection to everything they get, but by the fact they know a character is significant to pop culture.

Yes it's not for 'everyone' the unlicensed CMF's aren't for everyone, nothing is for everyone but such a big part of the current cultural moment we are in is vapidly consuming products because they stimulate us with characters we vaguely recognise, that has a broader appeal than a bunch of generic characters for a game that, while it's name is synonymous with fantasy and is has had a big resurgence in popularity in the internet age, by it's design a pretty significant portion of the people casually aware of it/play it have no visual designs that will mean anything to them as it's a game based on making up your own characters and how they look really only stays with you.

I'm not complaining or saying that the D &D CMF is "derailing" anything (I don't like 90% of the licenced themes, I'm riding high of the fact we got 2 non-licensed ones this year) but as someone who is interested in looking at how LEGO evolves this series is different, it is the first time a Licenced CMF clearly isn't playing by the same game as the others. I think there is a clear hop in broad appeal and recognisability between the other licences and this and interesting and might help explain why the rumour is that next year will have a full F1 series.

And yes I know there are millions who don't know those brands but there are billions and billions who do because Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, Bugs Bunny Homer Simpson, Spiderman, Batman and Superman are some of the single most commercialised characters in human history, everyone in the western world at least knows of them and a good portion of those outside it do because the western world enforces their preferences everywhere else, I'm not trying to be antagonistic here but there is a clear difference between them and the mind flayer or anything about D&D bar the name and base concept in terms of cultural osmosis.

Also, unrelated, while I'm happy for people who feel different I don't see the particular usefulness of these parts for adding onto LEGO castle as most of the figures, even if you did swapped the heads feel like they have a pretty distinct aesthetic from LEGO's own brand stuff, with the line up being made up mainly of figures already done a good amount of times like Dwarves, elves, witches or ones so tied to D&D like the Mind Flayer that while you can put them in a moc it feels a little like seeing a stormtrooper minifigure and saying it'll be great for generic Sci-fi MOC. Just my two cents here though. Please don't take this as me telling you you're wrong for liking it, I just don't personally see what you do.

And at the end I'll reiterate, nothing I said here or in the previous post was an insult, I'm not upset they did this, I like people being happy, if you enjoy it great. I don't think LEGO making a series that isn't just a bunch of things I recognise is an issue but there is a clear difference in approach when you compare this licence to every other one that has gotten a regular series. I just think it's a little silly to act like it isn't different when it clearly is. There are people who won't like every series, yes, but this is the first time one of these isn't about brand synergy or a collection of highly recognisable pop icons and that IS a fundamental change that does make the appeal less broad. Not a bad change but it is one. 

[VinnieCannoli]

13 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

I do agree with the rest of your post but the dragon head isn´t a new mould but the same they made for vidiyo - which got pretty expensive since D&D came out.

Yes, I wrote it wrong, sorry. The new "mold color". I have the red vidyo dragon and really glad that you can create a variety of "dragonborn" (at least 2 variants haha) as a bunch of characters.

[Black Falcon]

1 minute ago, VinnieCannoli said:

Yes, I wrote it wrong, sorry. The new "mold color". I have the red vidyo dragon and really glad that you can create a variety of "dragonborn" (at least 2 variants haha) as a bunch of characters.

We got gold, green, red and blue so far - I also got one red one but sadly no blue one, which is the most expensive now, even more than the green one exclusive to the D&D Set.

[VinnieCannoli]

15 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

We got gold, green, red and blue so far - I also got one red one but sadly no blue one, which is the most expensive now, even more than the green one exclusive to the D&D Set.

I didn't know about the green one - gotta look it up (upd: ah it's from that D&D set...)! By the way if you put one of those "mouth" printed minifigure heads (from batman cmf - orca for example) inside a "red dragon costume" minifigure with opened mouth - it could technically work as a very angry dragonborn - you can use that in action scene where its charging at something 

Edited July 28 by VinnieCannoli

[zoth33]

13 hours ago, Renny The Spaceman said:

No but there is a difference, it's not qualitative but it's there. LEGO's brand image now is based around the Funko Pop model of luring in adults with a bunch of popular brands done in the same simplistic artstyle, yes while if someone just really doesn't like one of these brands they won't buy it there are plenty of people who wouldn't self identify as Simpsons fans, or disney fans or so on but do have generally positive memories from watching something from that series as a kid and thus is will buy a couple packs casually because it's two things they recognise put together and that has a much broader appeal to the public than a bunch of classes from a game you know of/played a bit of as a teenager. I think something a lot of us struggle to get is a lot of the consumption of pop culture iconography now aren't based on any particularly strong fandom, most funko collectors don't have a particularly strong connection to everything they get, but by the fact they know a character is significant to pop culture.

Yes it's not for 'everyone' the unlicensed CMF's aren't for everyone, nothing is for everyone but such a big part of the current cultural moment we are in is vapidly consuming products because they stimulate us with characters we vaguely recognise, that has a broader appeal than a bunch of generic characters for a game that, while it's name is synonymous with fantasy and is has had a big resurgence in popularity in the internet age, by it's design a pretty significant portion of the people casually aware of it/play it have no visual designs that will mean anything to them as it's a game based on making up your own characters and how they look really only stays with you.

I'm not complaining or saying that the D &D CMF is "derailing" anything (I don't like 90% of the licenced themes, I'm riding high of the fact we got 2 non-licensed ones this year) but as someone who is interested in looking at how LEGO evolves this series is different, it is the first time a Licenced CMF clearly isn't playing by the same game as the others. I think there is a clear hop in broad appeal and recognisability between the other licences and this and interesting and might help explain why the rumour is that next year will have a full F1 series.

And yes I know there are millions who don't know those brands but there are billions and billions who do because Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, Bugs Bunny Homer Simpson, Spiderman, Batman and Superman are some of the single most commercialised characters in human history, everyone in the western world at least knows of them and a good portion of those outside it do because the western world enforces their preferences everywhere else, I'm not trying to be antagonistic here but there is a clear difference between them and the mind flayer or anything about D&D bar the name and base concept in terms of cultural osmosis.

Also, unrelated, while I'm happy for people who feel different I don't see the particular usefulness of these parts for adding onto LEGO castle as most of the figures, even if you did swapped the heads feel like they have a pretty distinct aesthetic from LEGO's own brand stuff, with the line up being made up mainly of figures already done a good amount of times like Dwarves, elves, witches or ones so tied to D&D like the Mind Flayer that while you can put them in a moc it feels a little like seeing a stormtrooper minifigure and saying it'll be great for generic Sci-fi MOC. Just my two cents here though. Please don't take this as me telling you you're wrong for liking it, I just don't personally see what you do.

And at the end I'll reiterate, nothing I said here or in the previous post was an insult, I'm not upset they did this, I like people being happy, if you enjoy it great. I don't think LEGO making a series that isn't just a bunch of things I recognise is an issue but there is a clear difference in approach when you compare this licence to every other one that has gotten a regular series. I just think it's a little silly to act like it isn't different when it clearly is. There are people who won't like every series, yes, but this is the first time one of these isn't about brand synergy or a collection of highly recognisable pop icons and that IS a fundamental change that does make the appeal less broad. Not a bad change but it is one. 

I would have to disagree about the parts not translating to lego castle.  Most of the torso's could be used in a lego castle setting like the Githyanki, barbarian, druid, tasha, bard, tiefling, Strahd, and especially the Dragonborn have all very useful torso's and leg prints.  These are very useful and actually match up well with the figs from the viking village and MTS.  Even the Ithilid's torso and skirt piece are very useful.  Szass Tam is quite specific and so is the lady of pain but could be used to make some interesting figs.  

[Renny The Spaceman]

11 hours ago, zoth33 said:

I would have to disagree about the parts not translating to lego castle.  Most of the torso's could be used in a lego castle setting like the Githyanki, barbarian, druid, tasha, bard, tiefling, Strahd, and especially the Dragonborn have all very useful torso's and leg prints.  These are very useful and actually match up well with the figs from the viking village and MTS.  Even the Ithilid's torso and skirt piece are very useful.  Szass Tam is quite specific and so is the lady of pain but could be used to make some interesting figs.  

Glad you feel differently, enjoy it :)

[Lion King]

Anways…. I’m still curious about Formula 1, CMF or not.  Space CMF Serie was rumored in early August 2023. So I would assume it’s either January or May 2025.

[FinlayTheFaithful]

1 hour ago, Lion King said:

Anways…. I’m still curious about Formula 1, CMF or not.  Space CMF Serie was rumored in early August 2023. So I would assume it’s either January or May 2025.

My guess is May, January is usually reserved for the normal unlicensed CMF

[Black Falcon]

On 8/2/2024 at 9:06 PM, FinlayTheFaithful said:

My guess is May, January is usually reserved for the normal unlicensed CMF

Well we had it that way the last years, but I don´t think that is actually a rule. However since the first Sets will release in January, I don´t think the CMF will be released alongside them, so the same time slot like the Space series probably would make the most sense. Anyways, so far we have no info about the next CMF series (unless it will be indeed the F1 one ofc) but I would expect first leaks about it to show up within this or next month.

[hikouki]

I know Lego cars is a big thing and I do collect most (but not all) of the SpeedChamps. But is there really enough momentum amongst the Lego followers to make a Formula 1 CMF that successful? I would have thought Castle, Pirates, etc., might have its own CMF first.

[Black Falcon]

2 hours ago, hikouki said:

I know Lego cars is a big thing and I do collect most (but not all) of the SpeedChamps. But is there really enough momentum amongst the Lego followers to make a Formula 1 CMF that successful? I would have thought Castle, Pirates, etc., might have its own CMF first.

Well they have a big basis of sets where they can rely on whether that would sell or not I guess. For me it is still a strange choice however, and I sure would rather have one for the themes you mentioned. In the end, it doesn´t bother me though, since I am just going to save money.

[Lion King]

I coulld see why Harpy from Series 25 recited a poor treatment because the budget went toward an avian ranger from DnD Series. That ranger is superb with new wings and that head mold. No wonder why the Harpy felt so cheap to me.

5 hours ago, hikouki said:

I know Lego cars is a big thing and I do collect most (but not all) of the SpeedChamps. But is there really enough momentum amongst the Lego followers to make a Formula 1 CMF that successful? I would have thought Castle, Pirates, etc., might have its own CMF first.

I don’t know for sure - it’s awfully early to think about that way when it comes to Forumla 1 yet. But I do agree with you on Castle and Pirates CMF series!

However, I think I should have faith in Lego for their strange reasons behind Forumla 1 series. There is no list of minifigures yet. 

Only the Man Upstairs knows. :) 

[hikouki]

2 hours ago, Black Falcon said:

Well they have a big basis of sets where they can rely on whether that would sell or not I guess. For me it is still a strange choice however, and I sure would rather have one for the themes you mentioned. In the end, it doesn´t bother me though, since I am just going to save money.

 

18 minutes ago, Lion King said:

I coulld see why Harpy from Series 25 recited a poor treatment because the budget went toward an avian ranger from DnD Series. That ranger is superb with new wings and that head mold. No wonder why the Harpy felt so cheap to me.

I don’t know for sure - it’s awfully early to think about that way when it comes to Forumla 1 yet. But I do agree with you on Castle and Pirates CMF series!

However, I think I should have faith in Lego for their strange reasons behind Forumla 1 series. There is no list of minifigures yet. 

Only the Man Upstairs knows. :) 

The other thing I am going to complain about and this may be a bit off topic is the fact that they made us pick a new classic space color. Why can't we just have all five?!?!? I could understand the new shield because a new shield will open up a new faction. But it is not like a new spaceman which is a singular unit. Yes, Lego's logic sometimes is ...

[Black Falcon]

3 minutes ago, hikouki said:

The other thing I am going to complain about and this may be a bit off topic is the fact that they made us pick a new classic space color. Why can't we just have all five?!?!? I could understand the new shield because a new shield will open up a new faction. But it is not like a new spaceman which is a singular unit. Yes, Lego's logic sometimes is ...

Well honestly, it wouldn´t make sense to just make all colours. In the end then there are so many more they could also do and for the Set there is supposed to be a number of different figures, so including different Spacemen would be disapointing for everyone, that isn´t a Lego Space fan ;). And putting one in every CMF now would also be kinda boring - every once in a while is fine though.

[Lion King]

40 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

Well honestly, it wouldn´t make sense to just make all colours. In the end then there are so many more they could also do and for the Set there is supposed to be a number of different figures, so including different Spacemen would be disapointing for everyone, that isn´t a Lego Space fan ;). And putting one in every CMF now would also be kinda boring - every once in a while is fine though.

I cou understand CS fans demanding for Classic Space minifigure to come in many colors. Rainbow rules….

but it’ not likely for CMF for a few days since we had Brrown Spaceman.  We have three Brick Suits, we ahve two Dragon Suits and one Spaceman in CMF so far. 

[hikouki]

52 minutes ago, Black Falcon said:

Well honestly, it wouldn´t make sense to just make all colours. In the end then there are so many more they could also do and for the Set there is supposed to be a number of different figures, so including different Spacemen would be disapointing for everyone, that isn´t a Lego Space fan ;). And putting one in every CMF now would also be kinda boring - every once in a while is fine though.

Not saying they put all classic space in one set, but spread them out... say some on a future CMF, or a future set.

[Roebuck]

6 hours ago, Lion King said:

I coulld see why Harpy from Series 25 recited a poor treatment because the budget went toward an avian ranger from DnD Series. That ranger is superb with new wings and that head mold. No wonder why the Harpy felt so cheap to me.

I do not think they take budget from a series and save that for a future series. The only time I heard about something like this was with the first new HP/FB wave taking some moulds from JP budget, but that was the same wave and had the same design-lead. They needed a lot of new moulds for a basically new HP theme and instead of making a new dinosaur that wave they could probably reprint some instead and get away with it.
My guess would be that the D&D IP partner have high demands on what their figs should look like, so Lego must steep up their game to seal the deal

[Black Falcon]

17 hours ago, hikouki said:

Not saying they put all classic space in one set, but spread them out... say some on a future CMF, or a future set.

Well with time we will for sure get more, but I don´t think this will happen over a short time span - and also they might bring older colours back and make other new ones not presented in the series.

Anyways, I still with they would make something like Bennys Space Squad, just 4 Classic Space figures with small spaceships/rovers etc. Wouldn´t need to be new colours, I would actually love to get colours back they did a while back and were not included in the Galaxy Explorer, such as blue, yellow, black and pink. Green and Purple would also be welcome.

[Accio Lego]

18 hours ago, hikouki said:

 

The other thing I am going to complain about and this may be a bit off topic is the fact that they made us pick a new classic space color. Why can't we just have all five?!?!? I could understand the new shield because a new shield will open up a new faction. But it is not like a new spaceman which is a singular unit. Yes, Lego's logic sometimes is ...

Because the poll wasn’t “what classic space color do you want in the future,” it was specifically “what new classic space color do you want introduced in the upcoming Ideas Minifigure Machine?”

The Minifigure Machine wouldn’t appeal to nearly as many people if it had 5 colors of spaceman instead of a range of different archetypes. Even just two spacemen in that set would probably be perceived as ‘cheap’ by consumers who aren’t familiar with how lego budgeting works.

[VinnieCannoli]

I don't think that the use of Chima-style of wings makes a minifigure cheap. It's still pretty much "lego". Even better-because wings are articulated and you can make a minifigure wear an armor piece which spreaded wings mold makes impossible. (to that upper discussion of Harpy being a low budget and stuff)

[Accio Lego]

5 hours ago, VinnieCannoli said:

I don't think that the use of Chima-style of wings makes a minifigure cheap. It's still pretty much "lego". Even better-because wings are articulated and you can make a minifigure wear an armor piece which spreaded wings mold makes impossible. (to that upper discussion of Harpy being a low budget and stuff)

It definitely strikes me as more of a  preference thing than anything. Like how some designers use the old thinner cape fabric versus the newer spongy style (with the recently added plastic capes presumably be added to that). Some people are going to like the fullness in appearance that the new D&D part has, others are going to prefer the flexibility that a rig like the Harpy’s gives you. 

[Breakspear]

Judging purely by reactions to early reviews of the DnD Series, Lego seems to have a hit on its hands. If so, we should perhaps pencil in a likely second DnD series in 2025-2026. 

I find the the idea of an F1 CMF Series (as part of the rumored 2025 F1 sub-theme) some what plausible but also somewhat perplexing. If true, Lego could go a few different directions with this one:

1. a 'serious' tribute to past/present F1 teams/drivers: this would put emphasis on the accurately capturing the driver's identifies and brand logos. Would be akin to the 2016 DFB Football Team Series). 
2. a 'fun' tribute - similar to the above, but a bit more goofy? E.g. each figure comes with a unique wearable 'car' accessory costume, akin to the Series 18 "Race Car Guy" figure. 
3. A series based around the broader theme of F1 racing, but not tied to the identities of specific drivers. Could include a wider range of characters (e.g. driver, engineer, mechanic, pit crew, chequered flag-waver, sports commentator etc). Designs could be relatively 'serious/realistic' (akin to the Team GB Olympic Series), or more off the wall (akin to the Series 26 "Space" Series).

In principle, I think blind-bag series work best when they have a sense of fun and where there is a lot of visual diversity across the entire series. This makes me feel that something like option 2 or 3 would be more commercially viable then option 1.

Of course, anything can happen! 

 

Edited August 8 by Breakspear

[bdw]

If rumours (correct spelling :) ) are true, an F1 series will surely have Sir Jackie Stewart in his tartan cap. Would be great to get a torso with a Benetton logo, not necessarily a racing suit. How about a minifig of the flag waver Glen Dix (google him), from my home town of Adelaide- Australia's F1 racing venue from 1985 to 1995. Nigel Mansell with his big moustache, anyone? There's a lot of opportunity to celebrate the history and some of the behind the scenes characters of F1. We can dream....

[Murdoch17]

6 hours ago, bdw said:

If rumours (correct spelling :) ) are true, an F1 series will surely have Sir Jackie Stewart in his tartan cap. Would be great to get a torso with a Benetton logo, not necessarily a racing suit. How about a minifig of the flag waver Glen Dix (google him), from my home town of Adelaide- Australia's F1 racing venue from 1985 to 1995. Nigel Mansell with his big moustache, anyone? There's a lot of opportunity to celebrate the history and some of the behind the scenes characters of F1. We can dream....

I am beginning to seriously doubt the F1 rumors are true. There have been a crud-ton of drivers alone (not including anyone else who isn't a driver!) over the many decades, and none of them are everyone's favorite. Also, for example, if Australia (for example) is snubbed because there are only 12 spots, would you still buy some? As more than 12 countries have had drivers from the sport's beginning to now, this is more than likely they will exclude some countries or eras. Also, even if they could get one drivers per participating country of origin, HOW would they choose them? As I said, not everyone is a fan favorite, and F1 fans are rabid enough that if *their* driver is not included, they won't buy any or possibly they raise a stink online.

LEGO is throwing rocks at the hornets nest, and if they go ahead with this, It will be a major car wreck of a CMF. (no joke!)

[lifeinplastic]

Can't think of anything more dull than a Formula One series - Wacky Races would be far better (although I still wouldn't buy any).