Accio Lego

The thing about Wizards Unite is that it really didn’t introduce anything new. There were a handful of non-animated characters that were unique to the game and a couple more similar characters that had previously featured in another defunct fantastic beasts game. But almost all the AR animations subjects were ripped straight from the movies, with the notable exception of Peeves and a handful of the magical creatures. Hogwarts Legacy, and for that matter Hogwarts Mystery, on the other hand, are story driven and feature several exclusive characters and locations that players get to interact with and come to care for. Binns and Peeves also make notable appearances, and I still maintain that using the video games as an excuse to give us sets featuring those two characters that even non-gamers will still be familiar with would be a viable move on Lego’s part. Not to mention that while the further afield locations of Hogwarts Legacy wouldn’t sell well as sets, iconic Hogwarts locations that just didn’t make it into the movies would. I think the four house common rooms are on several wishlists. And who knows, those house banners releasing very close to the same time as the new game could very well be house common rooms for all we know.

The sad thing about Vidiyo is that the actual lego designers clearly put their hearts and souls into making truly amazing characters to populate the theme, but when it came to the actual app some corporate paper pusher severely cheaped out on its development. The theme was an amazing demonstration of what the brickmasters can do if they’re allowed to go crazy, but it was ultimately killed by the sucky app acting as a ball and chain. Hopefully, whoever was doing creative work on Vidiyo will be redistributed to the CMFs or the new Dreamzzz and we’ll be able to see more of their creativity.

A Diagon Alley advent calendar would be fun, and like the Yule Ball one it would also allow those who do have the set to flesh out their build. We did get a couple of Leaky Cauldron builds last year so I imagine the designers probably have some solid ideas they could use for the rest of the shops. A HBP based one would be best, so they could include WWW based builds and put the twins in their suits in there as a way for those on a budget to get them (since so far they’ve only appeared in a cmf and expensive D2Cs). Other sets/scenes I’d like to see fleshed out include: Christmas at Grimmauld Place, Slughorn’s Christmas party (perfect way for us to finally get McLaggen), Christmas at the Burrow, and Hogsmeade with all its snow. It really is disappointing how much they’ve leaned into microbuilds this year, while also further hobbling themselves by forcing everything to fit on a 2x4 plate. I don’t usually go out of my way to write detailed reviews, but I think I’ll have to this year so lego has some direct feedback on how we feel about them nerfing the Harry Potter advent calendars for a board game gimmick they aren’t even foisting on any of the other themes.

I’d say Doctor Who is currently in an even better position than the James Cameron Avatar movie because Doctor Who had a solid fanbase who were constantly active even when the show wasn’t considered cool and mainstream enough to get widespread merchandising. Avatar on the other hand has almost no cultural footprint, there’s nearly no fan content of it out there despite being massively overhyped when it originally came out. Frankly, I’d consider Doctor Who sets to be a safer bet than the current Avatar ones, even though Avatar is getting a true revival while all that’s happening with Doctor Who is a massive format overhaul that will presumably be accompanied by a major new marketing push. Doctor Who just has a more solid established fanbase that can be counted on to come out in droves if anything new is released.

The nice thing is that the Ideas set was based on a previous TARDIS interior - every few seasons they entirely revamp it with only the general layout of the central console really staying consistent. The most recent iteration also includes some subtle but more noticeable than usual changes to the exterior of the TARDIS as well, so if lego decided to release a new set covering the same basic content but modeled after the most recent version it would be more than different enough from the 2015 version to make it its own set even without the obvious complete change in Minifigure lineup.

Ooo… I hadn’t even thought about that. The partnership with Disney (which loves its merchandising) could mean for marketing (and toys like lego) going forward - specifically outside Britain. I remember when I first got into Doctor Who (Matt Smith’s first season) there was a decent amount of merchandise available at chain retailers in the States, but it almost completely died out during the Capaldi era for some reason (I suspect the reason we never got a theme continuation for Doctor Who after the Ideas set is because the international market was ‘drying up’ at right around the time it was released). The change in distributor suggests someone high up wants to push for getting those international markets back, and hopefully that means more merch in easier to find places for those of us on the wrong side of the Atlantic. As far as a potential lego theme could go - While a new TARDIS set featuring the current console would definitely be necessary, and some battle pack style sets featuring cybermen and dalecks would be good as well, I think we’d need a CMF series (preferably two or more!) to really do justice to the rich history of The Doctor and their supporting characters.

The physical shape of it isn’t too bad, but in a thread that is enamored with more realistic animal options you can understand how pouring some bicolored marbling in there and calling it a day would rub people the wrong way.

Yes, the movie set designs have the Fountain of Magical Brethren split into two parts. No, that does not mean that Lego is going to release a second ministry atrium set next year when we just got one this year (the fact that the hall of prophecies from OotP was included in a DH1 set is pretty telling, frankly). They also wouldn’t release a set that’s basically just Dumbledore and Voldemort fighting next to a tiny build while simultaneously publishing an activity book that includes both those same characters. Never mind the fact that the only real opinion for a new Voldemort variant from the ministry duel is the tongue stuck out version (from when he breaths fire) that’s in the advent calendar which has been on sale of over a month now (and therefore hardly warrants the censoring we’re seeing). I’m all for keeping every possibility in mind, but the GoF graveyard scene and OotP ministry duel just don’t make any logical sense for lego to do as a set next year, leaving DH as the only option.

It’s definitely not the suit, since the censored fig clearly uses the dress piece for its lower half. I’m inclined to think it’s either just a new expression for Voldemort, and blacking out the entire figure has only been done because blacking out just the head would look weird. Or… lego is reintroducing the dark green robes from the battle of Hogwarts that were originally released in the 2018 CMF. That might explain the activity books actually - since the green robes technically aren’t new there’s really no reason to keep them exclusive to a set for any length of time, but them being brought back would be something lego would want to keep a lid on for as long as possible because it would essentially confirm the long awaited DH2 set(s).

I could easily see the canceled Vidiyo figs that need shunted into a cmf to release them not even being enough to fill a full roster of 12. Remember, they’re probably only really looking to find new homes for the new molds - any fun prints or recolors can easily be shoved in the BAM tower or parted out to various unlicensed sets if they’re not overly specific. It’s only new molds that can’t fit in upcoming planned sets that would need to be placed in a cmf. With that in mind, the canceled sets were: Monster Metal Castle (could easily have been planned to use entirely preexisting parts. there are plenty of preexisting monster parts available, and Vidiyo survived long enough to introduce a couple more) Dinosaur RandB Skate Park (presumably featuring the triceratops head that’s leaked and possibly more, definitely not something that could be stealthed into an existing theme) Cutesy Goth Carriage (unless they used an entirely different definition of goth from me, I can’t see this featuring any new molds other than potentially some fun hairstyles that could easily blend in to any unlicensed theme. the real loss is probably whatever would have been pulling the carriage) Llama’s Tropicorn Parade (sounds like a last ditch attempt at trying to convince consumers that the llama they randomly chose as the theme’s flagship character should be their favorite. never really got that personally. quite likely also featuring the unicorn head Vidiyo introduced, no real obvious indication of new molds, which would have drawn attention away from the stupid llama anyway) Goth witch BeatBox (clearly the source of that blue haired witch’s hat that leaked) Rock Viking BeatBox (if only there was an upcoming fan requested Viking set to put any new molds from this character in - oh wait) When you actually look over the rumored set list, the goth witch and skater dinos are really the only characters that would both definitely need new molds while also not fitting into an existing theme. Which might explain why we’ve specifically seen leaks for them as opposed to, say, deluxe new Viking parts.

Can I just say that’s a really odd character to be getting a new version of? He doesn’t exactly have a plethora of outfit variations - the only big difference they could do would be a change in expression. Seems like a bit much to hype, but I suppose it is already slated for two different activity books, so it’s hardly being pitched as an exclusive. The real takeaway here is that a set featuring Voldemort will be coming in the 2HY. With the graveyard scene done relatively recently and the Ministry Atrium currently on shelves, that pretty much narrows down the possibilities exclusively to Deathly Hallows (for the main villain Voldy shows up in person surprisingly little). The best contenders are parts of the battle of the 7 Potters and the Battle of Hogwarts, so it’s possible those censored images are hiding the reintroduction of the dark green robes last seen in the CMF series 1.

I distinctly remember seeing Monkey Kid stuff leak before the first official set reveals - that said I think the theme was officially announced before parts started showing up on Instagram, and we only know the name Dreamzzz because of associated legal stuff lego has done, and so far as I know we don’t even know of any set numbers associated with Dreamzzz, or even a mystery theme (which is frankly the strongest argument that the fully finished leaked pieces are from something else - leakers getting their hands on physical pieces tends to mean their releasing soon).

Gods yes, the bat needs updating so bad. The design itself is so outdated style wise, but even more importantly you kind of have to do some intensive workarounds to get it to hang upside down - y’know the way bats are infamous for. Add in the very dated lack of eyes and it barely looks like an actual animal anymore compared to modern lego creatures.

The way I’d go about it, with the frog at least, is to take advantage of the Harry Potter theme again like they did when they used Luna’s patronus to give us a hare that was distinctly different from the already existing rabbit. The hare has since appeared recolored in brown as a real animal and the rabbit has made plenty of subsequent appearances as proof that the new mold didn’t supersede it. With the existing Harry Potter canon being what it is, it would be very simple to use the same strategy to introduce a new and more biologically accurate Toad while leaving the current amphibian mold to keep the title of Frog - and subsequently keeping all the designers that like using it for non-animal purposes happy while also giving anyone who wants something that actually looks like a modern lego animal what they want too.

Took some more searching than usual but I found the new hair mold. Definitely originally developed for the aforementioned canceled Vidiyo set(s), and it’s worth noting that it’s the second such mold to leak - a headphone clad triceratops head speculated to have originally been meant for the ‘dinosaur skatepark’ set also came to light recently. Two such molds turning up seems to support the idea that Dreamzzz will be recycling at least some parts of the last minute canceled sets. Hopefully, we’ll also see this mold recolored with a more natural hair color in the future. I think it’s pretty likely, whether in a generic Halloween set, the BAM tower, or as a generic background character in a future Harry Potter set is hard to say (one thing I can say is that the classic witches’ hat+loose hair really doesn’t fit any named characters). I’d love to eventually get it a few different colors to help put together some generic citizens for my Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Express platform - it’s a shame the current version isn’t really useful for that with the transparent hair.

That line moved me to tears when I first saw the anniversary special, and now any time I rewatch it that line is going to turn me into a blubbering mess because I’ll know it’s essentially his final goodbye to all the fans, and maybe even his final time seeing some of his Harry Potter costars. Absolutely heartbreaking. He will definitely be missed.

Ah yes, it seemed odd to me, but given what other sets we’ve actually gotten recently based on video games… And while I agree there are some movie characters we definitely still need, those numbers are dwindling so I can’t help but hope for some groups to be properly completed using video game characters. Once next year’s spring sets come out it’s likely that Peeves will be one of only three characters from the original 2001-2011 run that haven’t been remade yet, and the nostalgic in me kinda wants lego to find a way to finally give us an update on him y’know?

So with the recent rumors of a Fortnite set coming adding yet another example of a set based off a more mature video game property, what does everyone think our chances of getting something base on Hogwarts Legacy (or Hogwarts Mystery or any other Harry Potter game) are? To be clear, I don’t care one way or the other whether we get true game tie in sets - I just want the designers to find an excuse to give us proper Peeves and Binns minifigs (Charlie Weasley would be nice too) and the games are our best chance.

That would require the employees at each individual store to care enough to keep track of what’s in stock. The ones at bot my local stores can’t even be bothered to keep the parts sorted into different bins based on category (the main thing keeping me from blowing all my cash on BAM is the fact that finding a head that I actually want is THE WORST in that set up). The system might be able to automatically log in new parts when the store receives a shipment, the someone on site would have to go and remove parts from the store inventory when they sell out, and that’s just not going to happen unless there’s someone with major OCD on staff. The system would become unusable for most stores within months. But it’s a nice dream (honestly though I’d just be happy if my local stores kept the different part types sorted into separate bins :/ )

I don’t understand why people are talking like a $400-$500 Gringotts padded with underground features or extra buildings. The designers have already shown us that they aren’t exclusively locked into that price point for the Harry Potter D2Cs - we already got the Hogwarts Icons set for $250 last year, and I think that a stand alone Diagon Alley compatible Gringotts at that price point is far more likely than something pricier that would be less displayable. And Borgin & Burke’s and The Leaky Cauldron are arguably the worst buildings to bundle with Gringotts - one is at the opposite end of the Alley and the other is on an entirely different street. That’s not a coherent set, that’s three different buildings floating around with nothing to connect them together. Can we please stop wishing for that and go back to wishing lego would release individual modular style Diagon Alley buildings as $100 regular wave sets, because that makes a lot more sense for those two. In any case this is all rampant speculation and wishlisting unless the person who first brought up a $500 Gringotts has actual information that there’s going to be a Harry Potter D2C at that price next year. If not then we’re all just getting work up over nothing.

Thanks! Good to know. I might have to check if any of my local Targets are stocking them - material feel on plushies can be a make or break for me, so it would be nice to encounter them in person.

The biggest problem for me is that even the $55 set isn’t big enough to include all the dwarves. The Ideas submission definitively proved that plenty of people would have loved to pay top dollar for a complete dwarves cottage with Snow White and the complete set of seven dwarves, so it would hardly make sense to reject that in favor of something much smaller. Not saying lego wouldn’t necessarily do it, but it would frustrate a lot of people.

While I wouldn’t rule out an exclusively pre-war era line up entirely, I think you need to relax what your definition of ‘classic’ is by a lot. I realize that it’s distressing for all of who were already born and growing up when the movies came out, but Disney is definitely branding the Renaissance era as Classic. The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin: all Timeless Classics. And anything before that and probably a good couple years after that are all fair game too, based on the fact that the rumored Brickheadz include Eve & Wall-E and Mulan & Merida. Disney’s definition of Classic isn’t ‘our origins’, it’s ‘will people in their mid twenties or older buy this out of pure nostalgia?’ It’s worth keeping an open mind - especially since the piece counts and prices on the two smaller sets suggests they both feature new and/or large molded parts, which doesn’t really match up with Disney’s popular older films, but would make sense with, say, a Lion King or 101 Dalmatians based set.

Not impossible, but is 598 pieces enough? I’m pretty sure the Ideas submission that was so popular was much bigger than that. I suppose including all seven dwarves could explain the low price count of one of the smaller sets, but that also seems unrealistically optimistic.

While the reported set numbers are mixed in with Disney Princess sets that will no doubt be minidoll based, it’s worth noting that there’s a distinction made in the placeholder names between “Disney Princess” and “Classic Disney Animation”. Also, despite the small sizes, I think the use of the word ‘classic’ for the subtheme suggests a more mature audience, and minidolls have never really been used for adult collector sets before.