Fives

Leaving Smaug alive at the end of DOS would be interesting, but I believe that there is gonna be a big battle at either Dale or Laketown with Smaug (based on what PJ and Boyens said in Empire magazine, and the shots from the trailer of the ballista and Dale tower exploding). Perhaps LEGO will make a big Dale set for the third wave which covers the battle with Smaug.

Well, the Battle of Dol Guldur is an important conflict. In the book, I believe the conflict takes place soley between theWhite Council and Sauron himself. But during the War of the Ring, Dol Guldur is still under Sauron's control, and is under command by Khamul, the second-in-command of the Nazgul. It was the Elves of Mirkwood and Lorien who were at constant war with Khamul and Sauron's forces in the north. But since Sauron didn't really touch on this in the LOTR films (Legolas makes a quick comment to Gimli before leaving Edoras in ROTK about how the war may have reached his own borders). So they may be taking aspects from the events of the War in the North (mainly making it a larger battle) and putting it with the Purge of The Necromancer. And to me, that makes sense, and while it's not keeping to the books absolutely, it cleverly amalgamates two really fantastic parts of the Appendicies that likely otherwise wouldn't have been touched on. EDIT: deskp beat me to it, but I kinda geeked out more with my answer. So to swing this on-topic, I really hope that the big Dol Guldur set is a bigger set than Goblintown was. Something similar in size to Helm's Deep is necessary to get the number of named characters and generic grunts into one set (unless the Elrond ambush would work as a battle pack add-on for the bigger set).

This trailer is amazing. I've watched it nearly ten times today. It is obvious that this movie is gonna be a lot darker than the first. I love Thranduil and everything they've done with his kingdom. I'm intrigued by the Legolas/Tauriel love story. While not mentioned anywhere in any of Tolkien's writings, I like it. LOTR had Aragorn and Arwen, Aragorn and Eowyn, Eowyn and Faramir, and Sam and Rosie. The Hobbit needs something like that, and why not have it be between Legolas and Tauriel. I'm excited to see where PJ takes it, and if by the end of the trilogy we won't feel like Legolas should be different in LOTR because of it. I'm glad we got a better look at the spiders. I love the way they look, but I'm curious as to whether they will be able to speak in some way like they did in the book. I remember reading something that said PJ would have Bilbo be able to understand the spiders only when wearing the Ring, and that the reason for this is that the spiders are spawn of Ungoliant, one of Morgoth's original servants, and that through Sauron's connection to all things evil, Bilbo could understand them through the Ring world. But I don't know if that is something he actually did, so I'm excited to find out, and I'll be happy either way. Also, we got a look at what seemed to be a huge Mordor orc army marching near Dol Guldur, hinting at a much larger battle than I was expecting. I wonder if they will have the entire White Council using their full powers to destroy the army, or if Elrond and Galadriel will bring Elven forces from both Rivendell and Lorien to aid Gandalf and Radagast. Can't wait to see! Lastly, there is Smaug... Benedict Cumberbatch is PERFECT! The voice could not be better. It is exactly how I imagined Smaug sounding: fierce, powerful, yet calm, suave, with an overall feeling of surety of his magnificent self. He also looks like he is gonna be HUGE! The only thing I wish we could've seen was Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown and Bolg. I really hope Bolg is in this one, and not saved until the third film. It would make sense for him to be there, because then there would be three different father-son relationships being explored (Thranduil/Legolas, Bard/Bain, Azog/Bolg). Regardless, this should be enough to keep me content till December, as long as we get images of the sets soon!

My idea for the $400-500 Minas Tirith is only if LEGO decides to not make a third wave, and instead do one last epic "farewell" set. But if they do make a third wave (and it is bigger than this years'), then this is what I think they need to focus on. Minas Tirith - $200 CAD (roughly $180 USD) Minifigs included - Gandalf the White, Pippin in armour, Denethor, Gothmog, x2 Tower Guard, x2 orcs, x1 Battle Troll Set includes main gate with curved walls (similar to Helm’s Deep but in a wider arc), back sectioned includes large triangular rock that juts out into the city, with the White Tree, courtyard, and entrance to the throne room. The back of this is open to reveal a single floor, much like Helm’s Deep, which has the throne and Denethor’s dinner table. Along with this is one trebuchet that sits in between the first and second sections of the fortress, as well as Grond. Siege at the Wall - $50-$60 CAD Minifigs included - Faramir (ranger outfit), x2 Gondor soldiers, x2 orcs, x1 Easterling Set includes a section of the curved wall of the city, which can be attach to either side of the larger set to help expand the fortress. Also included is either a Mordor catapult or siege tower. I think the tower would be cooler. This set would be the Gondor equivalent to Uruk-Hai Army. Multiples of Faramir could easily be turned into Ithilien rangers. Fight with the Witch-King - $35-$40 CAD Minifigs included - Eowyn in armour, Merry in armour, the Witch-King, Theoden, x1 Haradrim Set includes a Fell Beast and one of the battle towers from an Oliphaunt’s back. The tower would be the main build, and have Merry battling the Haradrim near it after he and Eowyn were knocked off their horse. Could have a function to launch Haradrim off the tower towards Merry. The Bridge of Khazad-Dhum - $25 CAD Minifigs included - Gandalf the Grey, and either x2 Moria orcs OR Sam and Frodo Set includes a brick built Balrog, made roughly the same height as the Ent. Also included is a small bridge with a collapsing function. The Mirror of Galadriel - $16 CAD Minifigs included - Frodo and Galadriel Set includes a small set of steps with a tree and the Mirror This set is only necessary if we don’t get Galadriel from any Hobbit sets

Yeah, that Elrond is just made up of the FOTR Elrond legs and torso, Arwen's hair and a Ninjago head. I don't think it is any indication of the fig we'll see in the new sets.

I think there's a chance of that. I bet we'll see Gandalf, Radagast, Sauron and two new orcs, and perhaps some type of good soldiers (perhaps Elves if Thranduil hears word of Gandalf's mission and aids him in the battle at Dol Guldur) in the big Dol Guldur. As for the Elven Outpost, I think its gonna be a set based on the scene we've seen in both trailers, with Azog, Tauriel and orcs and Elves fighting in the ruins. I'm really excited for this one. And Elrond Ambush... I have no idea what to expect. Other than Elrond obviously being included, I can't think of what part of the story this is from the Appendicies. Perhaps it will include more orcs. Maybe Elrond, an elf warrior, and two orcs in some trees or something. Such a vague set name.

The pilot is identical to the one from Palpatine's Shuttle from 2010 (the ROTS set). Meh.

First of all, the trailer was epic! Smaug's voice is perfect! But the thing that stood out to me the most when it comes to the sets was the quick shot of the army marching near what looks like Dol Guldur. I can only assume that it was an army of Sauron's orcs about to do battle. So perhaps the Dol Guldur Battle will be a bit bigger and have more soldiers than we originally thought.

So a new trailer is to be released today. Sometime soon, I think. I can't wait!

I would love to submit it to CUUSOO, but I don't have the pieces or skill in LDD to create any sort of visual representation of the idea, and that sorta thing goes a long way when getting votes. As for the price of the set, I say $500 because that is what the Death Star costs here in Canada. In the US, it'd be $400.

Perhaps the reason this years LOTR and Hobbit waves are smaller is because they were originally regular sized waves (6-7 sets) to be realesed over two years. TLG could have more sets designed and ready to go into production and are just waiting for the films to come out. So even though we only got 4 LOTR sets and an exclusive this year, next year may see the same amount of sets that could've originally been part of the 2013 wave. And the same may be the case for The Hobbit.

Yeah. A few years back I sent an idea for an updated SW Cantina set, and I got a letter back saying that they were pleased by my enthusiasm, but that they aren't able to use ideas outside of the company. But that doesn't change the fact that if I could get my idea straight to the LOTR design team, they could take some of the ideas into consideration if/when they tackle a Minas Tirith set.

I think this list was found elsewhere a few weeks back. It seems like it could be real, except for Elrond Battle. That is just a bad name for a set.

I may actually submit my outline to LEGO. I know that they rarely take suggestions or outside influence, especially when it comes to licenses (due to the fact that the license owners have a say in the sets made), but I still think they appreciate ideas from fans. Plus, it gives them a sense of what fans want. On a related note, I follow Jordan Scott on tumblr (he designed Mirkwood Spiders and part of Orthanc), so I asked him if he knows anything about the future of the theme, and whether or not we should put any credence in the rumour of the theme not getting a third wave. No response yet, and I doubt he'll be able to say anything definitive, but perhaps he might hint towards the truth. So I may send my idea to him and perhaps he could get it to the right person.

I don't think that we've been given any images of what the human characters will look like in the show, so there is no confirmation on whether or not the show will look cartoony like TCW, or have a more realistic style. I'm hoping for a more realistic look, because I don't want any more bug eyed Star Wars figs, and it would be nice if the figs from this show fit in seamlessly with the film based figs.

So there has been some talk over in the LOTR/The Hobbit 2013 discussion thread about this rumour that there will be no more LOTR sets. This is of course just a rumour, with no actual evidence or sources; just one person who claims to have heard it from a reliable source. While the thought of there being no more LOTR sets at all seems terrible, I wouldn't be so upset if LEGO didn't make a third wave of sets, but rather one final, epic exclusive. I'm talking about a Minas Tirith set the same size as the Death Star. With a price point $500 (in Canada at least), piece count of nearly 4000, and over 20 minifigs, the Death Star is by far the best playset LEGO has ever produced. So if LEGO is actually considering the idea of not releasing a third wave of LOTR sets, they could at least give the franchise the farewell it deserves. Rather than release 4-5 smaller sets that won't all guarantee to be profitable successes, they could go full out on a massive exclusive fill up many of the gaps currently in the theme. I can imagine a Minas Tirith that has two levels: the first level, with the main gate, that curves to make half circle of possibly one and a half A size baseplates, and stands at a height of four minifigs tall. Then the second level would include the huge triangular rock that juts out into the city, with the White Tree at the top, along with the throne room and the Tower of Ecthellion. This could stand at a height of eight minifigs tall, and have numerous rooms hidden in the back, much like the back section of Helm's Deep. To accompany the large fortress (which on its own is only good as a display set), there could be numerous siege weapons for both teams. I think one siege tower, one catapult, and Grond (obviously scaled down so maybe orcs can push it rather than trolls), as well as two trebuchets that could be moved and positioned at four different locations along the first level of the city. Along with this, we could get a Fell Beast, either brick built or moulded (like its shown in the video game). All of this would need a nice collection of minifigs. So this is my list of necessary figs: Gandalf the White - sure, we already got him, but he is integral to the scenes at Minas Tirith. And it could be a chance for an official Shadowfax. Denethor - while omitted from the story of the video game, they still made him a playable character. Just use that same design and we're good. Faramir - I'd want him in his ranger outfit. Even though his most famous moment at Minas Tirith is when he tries to retake Osgiliath and he's all decked out in armour, his ranger outfit is more iconic, and he does spend a lot of time in the city wearing it. Include a Gondor breastplate for him, and you've got it covered. Merry and Pippin in armour - we got both Hobbits in the first wave in their travelling clothes from FOTR and TTT, but I think we need them in their armour as well, much like how we got Aragorn in his King outfit at the Black Gate. Plus it just makes sense. Eowyn in armour - I know plenty of people also want her in one of her gowns, but I think her in her armour is far more important. Again, just copy the design from the video game. The Witch-King - to go with the Fell Beast. Including Eowyn and the Witch-King in this big set would mean that we at least get the scene in LEGO, even if it isn't its own set (and this way makes more sense to me anyways). Like before, just use the video game design. Theoden - we already got him, but he's an important part of the battle. Gothmog - he is the orc leader, plus he's just plain friggin awesome! Maybe use the same design as the game, but change some of the colours. He had red on him that looked a bit weird and out of place. So that list covers the first 9 figs in the set, which, if the fig count will be the same as the Death Star (24), we have 15 left. These could all be soldiers. I'd break it down like this: x5 Gondor Soldiers: each with their own breastplate pieces like the Uruks, with the Tree printing. Also, new helmets and shields (shields similar in size to the CMF Roman shield, but held like the classic triangle shield). There could be assorted weapons in an armoury area of the set, with spears, swords, bows and shields for each soldier. x5 Orcs: I know so many people want new versions of orcs, and perhaps this is where LEGO could give us a treat. Its obvious LEGO had plans to make alternate orcs (based on the prelims of the Black Gate and Corsair Ship), so they could bring those designs back and give us those orcs. x1 Battle Troll: as seen in the video game. They could use the same mould as the Cave Troll, but to achieve the armour I think a new mould is needed. x4 Rohirrim: again, a chance for LEGO to give us some exclusive soldiers. They could make the Royal Guards that are seen in TTT and ROTK, with the long silver scale-mail outfits and black horse hair on their helmets. All that is needed in a new helmet. Along with these figs, we could get horses and Wargs. I'd think Shadowfax, Snowmane, Eowyn's horse, horses for each Rohirrim, one reddish-brown Warg for Gothmog, and obviously the Fell Beast. So thats my idea if LEGO decides to end this theme. Sure, we won't have gotten the Balrog (which kinda sucks) or Treebeard (although we did get an Ent with Orthanc), but at least about 50% of the events and characters of ROTK won't go ignored. Plus, if you look at this idea from a financial standpoint, I think it makes sense in the long run. Having a wave of 4-5 sets is nice, but like I said before, not every set is gonna be a bestseller. Take the Attack at Weathertop set for example. It hadn't been out for even a year before there was news popping up that it was being retired. Obviously, this set didm't sell as well as the others in the wave. It may have had to do with it price per piece ratio, but whatever it was it warranted LEGO to stop its production sooner than the other sets. If we look at the second wave of LOTR, it too has some sets that kinda missed the mark. The Council of Elrond is a great set for fans, but I doubt it sold well with kids. And the Corsair ship, while cool looking and fun to play with, is not very noteworthy when you put it next to some of the more iconic parts of the films. I remember watching the designer video on the LEGO LOTR site, and they said they thought it would be a good set to make because kids like pirate ships. If LEGO has to make an LOTR set because it might be more appealing to a younger audience rather than to the fans who know the story well, they obviously were trying to stretch the age range of the theme far too wide. I've read countless posts from people on this site saying how they likely won't buy the ship, but will get the King and Soldiers of the Dead from elsewhere. I think LEGO lost money on this wave, even with the Orthanc set. Orthanc, while beautiful, lacked figures, which made a lot of people unsure about the purchase. If there had been more exclusive figs, or just more figs in general, I bet it would have been flying off the shelves. All of this boils down to the fact that a huge, epic exclusive that caters to what the fans are craving, yet still is a great playset on its own, would be a wise choice. A large set that costs $500 that includes a bunch of characters and soldiers that so many fans are wanting, all crammed into a set based on one of the most iconic locations and scenes from the films, would be brilliant. LEGO fans would see it as a jackpot for castle pieces, LEGO LOTR collectors would snatch it up because it offers so much, non-LEGO LOTR fans would (perhaps) buy it because of their overall love of the story, and think it would look great next to all their other LOTR collectibles, and kids/teens who are fans of the films and books would save money or beg for it for birthdays or Christmas. All these different demographics would be hit and the result would likely be a guaranteed profit from one set. It would remove the risk of the hit/miss quality of releasing multiple sets, and would make the effort and money put into new moulds and prints for one set worthwhile. Now I'm at the point where I almost wish this was the direction LEGO plans to take this theme. I know I would spend $500 on a set this amazing and fulfilling. Sorry that this kinda became a rant, but I kinda feel like it was necessary when discussing the future of a theme which everyone wants to see more of, but we have no surety of its lifespan.

Well, let's hope that LEGO is keeping something hidden from us. Perhaps they'll pull the same trick they did with Orthanc. Have four smaller sets, with a smaller flagship set, and have a big megablocks exclusive. But the possibility of that is slim. I doubt LEGO would produce two large exclusives based within the same universe. Yet, they do consider LOTR and The Hobbit as two separate themes, so the possibility still exists.

That's what I'm saying. I don't remember a fifth set named, but there might be.

I forgot there were 5 sets rumoured. For some reason I thought it was four. That gives me more hope. And there is a chance that there could be a 6th set, perhaps a TRU or Target exclusive, lurking around somewhere.

As much as I want more LOTR sets (and I'll be really annoyed if we don't get more), the small second waves of both LOTR and The Hobbit lean towards the notion that the sets are less popular than TLG anticipated. It seems that with the DOS sets, they aren't willing to take the risk of s bigger wave, and don't seem to be going anywhere near making Smaug (at least for now). It seems that TLG's main focus now is to get the essential characters and plot points from the books into set form (minus the Corsair Ship), but they're falling short of that goal if they ignore %90 of the events from ROTK. I could see LEGO making one last set for LOTR, going balls to the wall on an amazing Minas Tirith set for the fans, something with 20 figs that costs the same as the Death Star. Sure, it wouldn't give us everything we're missing, but it would fit characters like Faramir, Denethor, Merry and Pippin in armour, Eowyn, the Witch-King, a Fell Beast, Gothmog, another Gandalf the White, and lots of Gondor, Rohan and Mordor fodder for the army builders out there. It could be one last big set that combines the scenes form the Siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of Pelennor Fields. I'd be content, and gladly spend $400-$500 for a beautifully designed White City that feels like a complete structure in and of itself, as well as retaining some of the major play features required in a fun playlet (opening gates, siege towers, perhaps a scaled down Grond, trebuchets). Sorry, that kinda turned into a bit of a wish list thing, but it is a way that LEGO could minimize the risk of making a full wave while still giving the fans and collectors one last thing to get. Plus, if they did that, its likely that only AFOLs would have the funds to pay for such a set, but they are the ones who'd mostly buy it, and for LEGO to have tons of AFOLs hurling $400-$500 at one set would, in the long run, make more money than a bunch of cheaper sets that the fans can pick and choose from. Many people haven't been buying the second wave because of its lacklustre quality, and I think that has been detrimental to LEGO when it comes to profits on this theme. I'm fine with no Balrog, Treebeard or Lorien sets, but give us Gondor! Please, LEGO, give us Gondor!

Picked up the Corsair Ship finally. Now Orthanc is the only LOTR set I'm missing from the collection.

I think LEGO needs to give ROTS Anakin the same hair as Aragorn but in reddish brown. Thats what I did and it looks WAY better.

I voted specific. I like having generic castle themes, with the classic King and Princess and Evil Wizard archetypes, but the formula is kinda stale. If LEGO implemented the Ninjago style storytelling to a more medieval-fantasy based theme, they could so very well. And I'm not saying bring back KK2. No. But having named characters with specific, recognizable differences (weapons, armour, age), along with a good story that branches across multiple waves and numerous different enemy factions would make for a fantastic, original twist on a theme that LEGO has been working on since practically the start.

You can say that again. There just isn't anything to talk about. It's a shame LEGO isn't willing to release more bits here and there, like teaser images of new figs or something. They know the fans want it, so just give us enough to talk about without giving away all the surprises. But once news or images surface, this thread will be up and running again at full speed.

Basically, this guy deconstructs Luke and Ben's conversation from ANH when Ben tells Luke about his father and the Clone War. Basically, the lie that Owen told Luke about Anakin being a 'navigator on a spice freighter', Anakin being 'the best star pilot in the galaxy and a cunning warrior', areall kinda debunked in the prequels. The same kind wrote another short article of how he thought that if TPM had been cast differently and Anakin been a young smuggler with profound Force abilities at the start of the trilogy would have made for a more convincing character, and helped make sense of Ben's comments to Luke. He says that before Anakin became a Jedi, he could've been a smuggler who could've been captured by the Republic, and as a chance to make up for his 'criminal past', he's given the job of smuggling Jedi onto Naboo during the Crisis on Naboo, which could've been one of the main events that starts the Clone War. The Jedi witness his amazing abilities as a pilot and see his potential with the Force, so they bring him under their wing. The Clone War could start by the the end of the first film. Also, Anakin could meet Padme by then. The second film would be when Anakin becomes Vader. This guy felt like the prequels could've been treated like the OT, with the first act setting everything up, the second act everything goes to shit, and the third things are 'resovled' and set up the stage for the OT. In the second film, Anakin would demonstrate his prowess as a warrior and be considered a hero by the galaxy. At the same time, he a Padme are in secret having kids. The Jedi discover this and expell Anakin from the order, and take Padme under their protection as a way of securing Anakin's offspring will become Jedi. This separation from his family, caused by the Jedi, would be Anakin's motivation to turn to the Sith. In ANH, Ben mentions how there was a betrayal. This family split up caused by the Jedi could be that. Anyway, the second film would end with Anakin becoming Vader, but without the suit. The entire third film would be about the Jedi Purge, pretty much. In ANH, Ben says how Vader 'hunted' the Jedi, so this guy felt like the Purge should've been stretched out far longer. Also, he goes into detail about how Owen could've been a main character in the prequels, either being Anakin's brother or Obi-Wan's brother. I like the idea of Owen be ping Anakin's brother, because it would help make sense of Owen's immense distrust of Anakin and Ben in ANH, and why he doesn't want Luke finding Ben. Overall, he makes this amazing alternate version of the prequels that makes me cry, because now I wish this was the version we had. I'm thinking that if these films had been made, they could've used designs from McQuarrie's original paintings to create the costumes and ship designs. One thing I've noticed is now the costumes and overall designs of the Prequels feel very distant and far too different from the feel of the OT. If the designs and costumes had not been so drastically different, there would've been more of a feeling of continuity between the trilogies. Now when I watch the Prequels, I kinda feel like I'm watching films from a different universe. If you can find it, go to Moviepilot.com and search Star Wars. This should be one of the most recent articles, and its definitely worth reading. It has completely changed my view of the PT, and really seeing what a catastrophe it is. Anyway, I think I did a decent job of summarizing the main points of the article.