Lucarex

Interesting as this is a first for a theme I think? Often thought LEGO missed a trick here, Ninjago especially, but then I remember a retailer who did custom storage work with Billund telling me once that these heads didn’t sell very well. But MK execution looks awful as just a red splotch across the eyes, assume there’ll be no actual headband (the box art conveniently or deliberately hides that) -after all, the minifig headband is part of the actual hair/headpiece which these giant container heads don’t have, just “naked” with stud.

Have to disagree. They show a fantastic set, the flagship Castle no less, for like 10 seconds plus a blink and you’ll miss it close up of a couple of minifigs and the gate/perimeter opening. Then nothing...the remaining 80 secs just ignores the physical build and shows the kids (pre or early teen, older than usual) staring at their individual phones playing the app, which FYI LEGO, is in desperate need of a revamp and update. It’s glitchy and repetitive. Just sums up Lego’s thoughts on the theme here, completely upside down.

I’m not even fussed about the car as identical Vaughn comes in the Castle and I’ll pick up the trans-blue-wing part or knight minifig separately. Interesting that the MF Castle came with a similar car/protagonist (Rodney Rathbone), smaller build with net shooter play feature.

Saw that and thought that hadn’t shown up before. Still not hi-res, but at least you can see the back end “transformer” mech build. Not very interesting IMO. Also, how unstable does the tall skinny villain look?! The set is an easy pass for me.

Shaun of the Dead? I agree though, the MF zombies were just really fun. Taking of zombies, I'm surprised TLG haven't picked up the license for Plants v Zombies. I saw some knex blind bag figs a while back.

If I had to guess it's Sports. Was rumoured a couple of years ago, but with the Olympics and Euros (which both had CMF series, London 2012 and DFB 2016) now cancelled, I think they may expedite a sporty Lego theme for the autumn.

That wasn’t my intention as this is a HS thread after all. Also licensed retail exclusives may still be a thing in the US but not in Europe since the demise of TRU. There are sets which are exclusive to LEGO and one other major retailer but they’re not “retail exclusives” as such.

Retail exclusives are no longer a thing for Lego. Also, this wave would then have only 4 sets, also extremely unlikely.

That was exactly my first thought too! Only edited my post when decided to do some quick DD on the details.

Looks to have internal LED lighting (not just light brick) too which explains the "batteries included" on the box.

10273 has been leaked...a new Fairground Haunted House with tower, and various minifigs (it’s a theme ride) including the recently leaked white happy/sad hooded ghost that had no place in Hidden Side or Ninjago. No CE branding on box art but a new “Fairground Collection” design. Coming in at 3000+ parts so the rumoured €229 sounds about right!

Well our white ghostly friend clearly appears on the box art of a new leaked Creator Expert Haunted House Attraction (10273) which has no CE branding just a new “Fairground Collection” design. It looks amazing and huge (with a tower and a handful of minifigs) with possibly lightbrick (says “batteries included”) at 3231 pieces and rumoured to be €229.

A price increase on this theme will be a big mistake by LEGO, as there's no reasonable way to justify it and it will impact sales.

Already on back order, ships by 16 June, so those wanting/without need to be quick. At 44.99 too, less than the Billund price! (The other non-Architecture “exclusives” also available - Tree of Creativity (59.99) and Dinos (74.99) )

I don’t get this concept of LEGO “replacing” Hidden Side with Monkie Kid. You’d think there was some sort of internal quota that only allows for a certain number of in-house action themes at one time. Imagine that...

Other than the spring green eyes/teeth on the main door of the Castle (do they even move?), it’s a shame there doesn’t appear to be any other proper transformation play features at all. No pop out claws, no ghostly tentacles in the towers, nothing really, unless I’m mistaken? Really have a new-found appreciation of the High School, and regretting not picking it up on discount for 60-something around Christmas time.

I assumed it the curved rotating element inset above the brown door set back from the balcony? It’s grey but you can just see a tiny bit of pink. Can’t see the roof location...

The MF Moonstones and how they attach to the Castle (apart from the rare pink zombie one) was a great concept.

It would, but the flip side is it would be going out on a high *edit* just seen all the (official?) high res pics and it’s even more fantastic...with one slight disappointment, the back/interior of the sent isn’t as detailed as the High School. But I guess that’s the cost of including the opening courtyard and observatory.

Thanks. Only a month away then!

In the absence of Castle pics, anyone with a reminder of when these sets are due for release? June (like HP already officially revealed) or August?

Very true @kelceycoe they would be stupid, but wouldn’t be the first time. You get the unfortunate feeling HS is way down the bottom of the priority list for LEGO, and as for your suggestion of encouraging AFOL/castle builders (bear in mind there may be no more HS sets after this anyway) they’ll just continue to milk Harry Potter for all it’s worth.

Really hope you’re right, but then Alien Conquest wave 2 box art existed before cancellation and even made into print (DK book) - see page 31 here!

Great news on the TOC available in those countries - I’ll be able to nab one (although debating the Ideas Treehouse, just space and budget consideration). The LEGO House is a really lovely set I enjoyed building recently, and I’m glad it’s finally being opened up to those not lucky enough to go to Billund or willing pay 3x retail online.

Really hope it’s not another Alien Conquest or Nexo situation ?