Fives

Of course you are contributing! Opinions are always welcome. I actually agree with you on the two points you stated. The halberds seem (as much as they are classic) outdated. Yet still, I can get past their use. I mean, only so many molds can be made for one new theme. It isn't like LEGO can just go and start making a hundred new pieces for one theme, especially if they will only be unique to one or two sets! The elf hair isn't as much of a trouble for me. Sure, it would have been nice for Legolas and Haldir to be able to use quivers, but I can give up a quiver for an overall epic and accurate minifig. Also, I've been thinking about what LEGO's site for the theme. I wonder if they will make little animations for the sets, much like the recent Star Wars sets. I think it would be a fun way for the sets to be represented to a younger market by making the animations seem a little less intense. I also really hope they come up will some sort of fun game on the site. I just can't wait any longer for these sets!

If anything, this theme will make Castle stronger. With all the new molds and what not that will be produced for this theme (although, yes, most will only be used for this theme), there will be so many new possibilities for pieces and sets for a future Castle line.

I see your point about POTC, and I must agree that I was, at times, underwhelmed with the sets. I, though, collect for the minifigs. I guess I'm just one of those few LEGO collectors that cares more about the story being told in the sets rather than the set and build itself (therefore I prefer licensed themes, and luckily most of the licenses LEGO has acquired over the years are based on films I love). I also agree with you that this theme won't last long after the second Hobbit film. Maybe one more LOTR wave to wrap things up, but that would probably be it, sadly. As long as LEGO does a decent version of Minas Tirith (like the one i outlined in the Future LOTR Sets topic) and we get some decent battle pack like sets, then I will be satisfied. And, when you think about it, they could spend the next wave of LOTR concentrating on the minor characters (Faramir, Eowyn, etc.), with a few of the main characters in new outfits sprinkled in. But now this is verging on being off-topic, so I should stop. Anyway, I can just say that, despite some of the sets being kinda meh (Gandalf's cart is a little useless for recreating battles (cause yeah, I still play with my LEGO ) and the little cave in the Shelob set is just sad) I will be spending way too much money on this theme in the coming years!

Okay, this discussion has gotten heated fast. Now, I am going to voice my opinions on the matters discussed recently. Firstly, some people have been viewing these sets and trying to gauge their success based on how kids will like them. Now, I understand that LEGO is a children's toy. But, not all of LEGO's products are for kids. There are many sets (SW UCS especially) that have clearly been aimed for a much older audience. Of course, this older target market for these sets is based on the difficulty of the construction of the sets, not the actual theme it is from. Yet, I remember also reading here recently (or it might have been from something I saw on YouTube) that LEGO means to target this theme at an older target market. They realize that these sets probably won't be super successful with their younger buyers. That being said, I think that us older fans should try to hold this theme up for as long as we can! I mean, if there are as many people here that want this theme to last as I think, then it is on our shoulders, not the little kids, to make this theme last! Secondly, people seem to believe that this theme won't be successful. Now, I do not believe for a second that this theme could be as successful as Star Wars. No other theme LEGO ever does could ever match the success of Star Wars. That being said, I am upset when I see people comparing this theme to POTC. These are two completely different themes that cannot be compared in the slightest! People say that POTC was not popular because the fourth film was crap (or maybe that is just me ), and some say that the same will happen to LOTR because it is not too popular either. That the films are outdated. That kids won't know it. LOTR is WAY more popular than POTC ever was or will ever be. POTC wasn't based on an extremely famous book that has had a strong fan base for over 60 years. It was based on a Disney ride. Now, I am not bashing POTC. I'm a big fan myself. But the popularity of LOTR is so much more than that of POTC, or of any of the other licensed themes (other than SW and HP), and that popularity will (hopefully) sustain it past a couple of years. Lastly, this theme will not, and cannot, fizzle out too fast. That is because A) this is only the first wave, B) the next wave is only for the Hobbit part 1, and C) the Hobbit part 2 won't be released until a whole year after the first. That gives a whole year of space for LEGO to release potentially two waves of LOTR/Hobbit part 1 sets, peppered with maybe a couple of exclusives. Then, there would be the new wave of Hobbit sets based on a whole new movie. The popularity that was around for the LOTR films, I'm anticipating, will come back for these Hobbit films, which means that the demand for epic LOTR and Hobbit sets will be there, and LEGO will be (hopefully) firing out about 2-3 waves of Hobbit sets and 3-5 waves of LOTR, with some exclusives, over the course of maybe three or four years. Of course, all of this is pretty much hopes and dreams for the further of this theme and where it could go, but it cannot be denied that the release of two new films based in the world of Middle-Earth won't call for the release of as many LEGO sets as can possibly released. Anyway, I apologize if this turned into a rant (which it may have, and that was not my intention), but I just needed to get my thoughts out.

Yes, but Théodwyn was Théoden's sister, whereas Éomund was Cheif Marshal of the Riddermark under Théoden's reign.

The fact that we haven't seen hi res pics of the Orc Forge kinda sucks. At the toy fair, though, it seemed that only one of the three orcs had the new Orc hair with the ears (even thought he piece was still on the prelim stage). It makes me wonder: will all three orcs have they new hairpiece? I really hope they do, because A) it looks good, B) they have double sided heads, and C) the long Uruk hair only looks good (I think) on Uruks. Also, I am really curious as to how many weapons and suits of armour, helmets and shields will be included in the set. It would be nice if LEGO gave us enough to fully equip two Uruks, even though the set only has one.

He also said Eowyn was Théoden's daughter. Any true LOTR fan knows that she is Théodwyn's daughter, making her Théoden's niece.

I knew that the Uruks would have two faces! Despite the annoying guy, this pre-release review was very detailed and helpful. I now have mixed feelings about Théoden. On one hand, his armour, shield and helmet is amazing. Also, his torso print is exactly as I imagined it. Yet on the other hand, he is smiling, which he didn't seem to do that often. I guess my Théoden is gonna be mad a lot!

Last year POTC was skated for a May 2011 release, but sets started popping up here and there a couple weeks before that. Hopefully that will be the case with LOTR, so people can make reviews of the sets and we can see, in more detail, how amazing they are.

I had to vote for LOTR and more LOTR! The only reason I ever got into buying castle related sets was to try to make custom LOTR LEGO. The closest LEGO ever got to LOTR (before the official license) was the Fantasy Era theme. Now, I can honestly say I will never buy a single Castle themed set after LOTRis over. Also, the longer the theme lasts, the more LEGO will release, and the happier I will be!

Yes, especially Dathomirian Zabrak!

I have kinda been following this thread (most of my time has been spent over at the LOTR thread), but from what I can see, there is still no info on the Palpatine's Arrest set. When should we possibly hear or see more about this mysterious exclusive?

Scroll down to the bottom of the page: http://www.lego.com/en-us/products/default.aspx It is only a matter of time!

I know I was the last person to post here, but the talk about Aragorn's clothes got me thinking about the minifig. People seem to be a bit upset with the fact that his pants are dark tan, which seems a bit incorrect, and, overall, people seem upset with the colours LEGO used for Aragorn's clothes. But, I thought back to the POTC theme. If you watch the movies, you will notice that Gibbs wears a white shirt and a blue waistcoat/vest, similar to Jack Sparrow. But, for the minifig, the gave Gibbs a dark tan body with a dark bley vest, so as to remove confusion between the two minifigs. So, they possibly decided to give Aragorn somewhat incorrect colours for his clothes to give him a more 'good guy' look, because if he were to wear black and dark bley clothes, kids might mistake him for some sort of villain. I may be wrong, but it is just a thought...

Actually, Aragorn doesn't really wear armour at Helm's Deep. He just puts a chain mail shirt over his red shirt and under a dark brown leather hauberk (doubt that is what it's called). Also, when he is at Minas Tirith, he is wearing his same old ranger clothes. It is at the Black Gate and during his coronation that he is all decked out in armour (and still, they are two different suits of armour).

I don't think that is right. Talkin is called Mother because she was the head of the Nightsisters, and all of the other members were addressed as 'sister'. It is more of a title, like a Preist being called Father, than having actually meaning and connection to the Force.

I was just looking at the recently added review of the new Wolvarine set in Licensned themes, and notice that the Magneto face would be perfect for Saruman. And it would be funny, since Ian Mckellan played both Gandalf and Magneto in their respective trilogies. Still, for those who really with for a Saruman, get Gandalf Arrives and the Wolvarine set, and use Magneto's head and Gandalf's beard, along with other white minifig parts, and there you go! Saruman!

Sorry for being the last one to post here, but I think I have a decent idea for how LEGO could tackle a Minas Tirith set similar in size to Helm's Deep. Helm's Deep is definitely one of the biggest and most detailed castles LEO has ever made, so, for Minas Tirith, they could do something similar. Firstly, for a Minas Tirith set, the front gate section could be built in a similar fashion to the Helm's Deep gate and curved wall. The gate could sit in the middle, while on either side, curved walls stretch out. Only, on Minas Tirith, the amount of curve the walls have could be lessened. I will get to the reason for this in a bit. But first, like Helm's Deep, there needs to be and inner wall or section of the fortress, with a possible throne room. This is where LEGO could put the big triangular rock that juts out into the middle of the city. On the inside, they could make a small throne room, similar to the one in Helm's Deep, only more akin to the throne of Gondor. Now, back to the curved walls. The reason the walls should not be as curved as the Helm's Deep walls is because Minas Tirith is so much bigger. It would look to squished. Therefore, LEGO could make, like Uruk-hai Army, and expansion set for Minas Tirith. This set could consist of a section of curved wall, at the same angle as the walls in the big set, that could be added on. Therefore, with a couple of those sets added on, you could have a pretty decent first level of Minas Tirith. And yes, people will want to see a massive set with all seven levels, but LEGO would never release something like that. This is more of a realistic idea, and I think it sounds pretty good. Now, for the figures! In the main Minas Tirith set, Gandalf the White would be an obvious one. Also, Pippin in his Gondor clothes. Along with that, Denethor could be included to sit in he throne room. He could have a double sided head with an upset face and a scared 'Holy carp, I'm on fire' face. Along with those three, I think two basic Gondorian soldiers could be included, and two exclusive Tower Guard figs. Now, before I go into detail about the Tower Guards, or the evil figs, I have an idea for a basic Gondorian face. The Rohan soldier has a basic, bearded face with and angry side and an upset side. The Gondorians, however, could have an upset face with a brown beard, and a masked face. The masked face would be based off of how the Tower Guards have those black masks that cover all their face except their eyes. But sometimes Rangers also wear these masks, so this sort of face could easily be used for pretty much every Gondorian that isn't a character. So, back to the Tower Guards. They could be pretty much identical to the basic soldiers, but have black capes, black shafted spartan spears, and special helmet molds with the big sea bird wings. So, now that the good guys are taken care of, onto the bad guys! I think that a Minas Tirith set similar in size to the Helm's Deep set would still need to be bigger and more expensive than Helm's Deep. That is why there would be more figs. The attacking army could consist of six orcs (designed to look like the Black Orcs that attack the White City), with either double sided heads or different coloured heads. Also, there would be an attack troll, with armour and hammer. Along with these, a small siege tower could be included to scale the walls. The justification for more figs and a siege tower comes from the fact that Minas Tirith has no Horn tower or Deeping Wall, but simply the two sections and the attacking army. So, that covers the main Minas Tirith set for figs. Now to the expansion set. This set, I think, would make way more sense without any characters or heroes, unlike Uruk-hai Army, which has Eomer. So, it could include two basic Gondor soldiers, with assorted weapons (swords, spears, shields, bows). Also, a horse could be included in dark tan, with printing on its face to represent the armour Gondor horse wear on their heads. As for the enemy, you could get four orcs, like the ones in the big Minas Tirith set, with assorted weapons. Along with them could be another attack troll, identical to the one in Minas Tirith. I this that, with one Minas Tirith set and four expansion sets, anyone could have a very big and epic Siege of Minas Tirith scene, and just thinking of these ideas makes me really wish they were real!

That Mumak is well done. I especially like the tower part. But, I think for an actual LEGO set, we should get that size but molded. The amounts of special big molds LEGO has been dishing out recently (the new Dino sets, this summer wave's Jabba) calls for a nice big molded Mumak. Also, when I imagined what a LEGO Mumak could be, I saw the tails of Castle dragons used for the tusks. Maybe that is a bit too big, but the bigger, the better.

As much as that might be a cool set, it makes no sense. Arwen and Elrond do not reforge the sword themselves. It is reforged by the Elven smiths. Also, I do not believe that this is important enough a scene to merit its own set. That said, I think we need a smaller set (maybe the size of Weathertop) based on The Black Gate. This set would include a scaled down version of the gate, with the Towers of the Teeth being where the gate hinges and opens. The figs could include Aragorn (in kingly garb), the Mouth of Sauron (one of my favourite villains of all of LOTR), Gandalf the White, Merry and Pippin. They would all be on horses, Aragorn would have Anduril, Merry and Pippin would be in armour. Sure, there isn't a ton of action, but that is inevitable with this theme. Not every set can have a ton of action in it, and some of the most important locations in the films are much more peaceful (The Shire, Rivendell, Lorien) but would make some of the lost amazing sets.

BP means Battle Pack. I actually thought about that, but I feel that it could ruin the smooth look of the Gondorian helmet. Tower Guards would be nice, but I don't feel that having them in maybe one or two sets calls for giving every Gondor soldier holes in their helmets. I feel the same way about the CW clones. The holes kinda bother me, but I guess it would bother me even more on LOTR figs. EDIT: Thought of another few things. For the Gondor soldiers, there has to be some sort of shirt under the breastplate. I thought something like Pippin's Gondor clothes: a black shirt with the white tree on it, and a leather belt. Along with this, all Gondorians could have leg printing that shows their leg armour (I know there is a technical term, but I can't think of it right now). Also, I have another 'design' for a fig that HAS TO BE released! Faramir! For Faramir, I think the same hair as Aragorn and Boromir, but in reddish brown, like the new jungle guy in the latest CMF series. Of course, he would need a face print that look like him also. For the torso, I think dark tan, with dark brown, much like how Legolas's clothes were done, with the silver tree printed on the brown area. Then, he could have dark brown legs with his dark green 'skirt' printed on it, like Boromir's blue shirt. Then, his arms would also be dark tan, with reddish brown hands (but they will most likely be flesh). Finally, a dark green cape and a quiver, with bow and Highlander sword, would finish off the minifig. As for a set he could be included in, I think, rather than make a set based on his Oliphaunt attack or the Forbidden Pool, LEGO could make a small set similar to Isla de Muerta from POTC. It could be the scene from ROTK when the orcs attack Osgiliath from the river. The set could contain some ruins of Osgiliath, and a small section of shore with some water, and a small orc boat. Minifigs would include Faramir, Gondor soldier or Ranger, Gothmog (whose fig would call for a special head piece to attach to a basic head to represent his potato face) and an orc. A small, simple set, with desirable figures for a cheap price.

With the amazing new pics discovered by Grogall being drooled over in the LOTR topic, and with the rejuvenated discussion of BPs coming about, I thought it might be a good idea to bring this topic back to life. Firstly, after seeing the close up shot of Frodo, Sam and Gollum outside the Tunnel, I instantly began salivating for more ROTK sets. I really would love to see a small Mount Doom set with Sam and Frodo, both with dirty faces tattered, burnt clothes. We already have, form the Shelob set, Sam in his ROTK attire (dark tan shirt with suspenders) but Frodo wears similar clothes under his jacket and waistcoat. I think plain tan would be more fitting for Frodo, and in a Crack of Doom set, he could have his normal, tired expression, and an evil looking one after he is possessed by the Ring. Another sad thing I've noticed about this wave of sets is the lack of Gondorians (Boromir is the only one). In the next LOTR wave we are in definite need for Gondorian soldiers and Ithilien rangers. Seeing as most of the Uruks have armour, helmets and shields, orcs have just simple armour prints on their torsos, and Rohirrim have simple armour prints on their torsos, the Gondorians could get a similar treatment like the Uruks. The ideal Gondorian soldier would have a new helmet mold, with the elegant wing design on the front of the helm. Along with that, a pearl grey breastplate with the tree of Gondor, either outlined in dark grey or printed in white, on the front. To finish it off, a new shield mold in pearl grey, with the tree printed in white on the front, and a Highlander sword or black shafted Spartan spear. These are just some thoughts I had for possible ROTK figures.

I agree with you that we need more Rohirrim. And, even though the Kingdoms Battel Packs were cheap plastic, it was a easy was to mass big armies in a rather inexpensive way. I underdstand why SW would have the BPs they have, because there are enough vehicles and speeders to use for the small sets, but in LOTR, small vehicles are pretty much nonexistant. Unless every LOTR BP is to include a tree or a rock, some horses or wargs, or a troll, there isn't much to have other than figs. That is why I would rather LEGO forgo the SW style BPs in vavour of an extra fig for the same price. Then again, I would like to collect more horses. I mean, whats the point of a big Rohan army if they're all on foot?

So, with the release of these fantastic pics, and the removal of the Prince of Persia page on LEGO.com, I wonder how soon we should be seeing the teaser site up on LEGO.com. I hope it is soon, and I hope that these sets get released a bit before their official release. The sooner the better!