Heechee84

With all due respect, I think the expectations of many AFOLs need to be tempered with cold, hard market reality. Even if the fans move the heavens, the non-System Bionicle set they want will not be made, ever. The only way this theme would be chosen for the anniversary is in the form of a mosaic or perhaps a bust. I very much doubt it, though. The set will be made for one of the main three themes - Space, Castle, Pirates. There is some chance for Adventurers, but very slim one. It will be the most generic, catch-all take on the themes. Forget the specialized subthemes. There is some market for Classic space or generic castle, but the M-Tron, Spyrius, Forestmen, Wolfpack are too niche, it will not happen.

The results of this round of review will be interesting. My take on the products' chances follows. Almost zero chance (mostly for obvious reasons): Tesla cybertruck, Untitled Goose Game, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Train Station, SpaceX Falcon 9, Bricks & Blooms, Sonic Mania, Snow Groomer, Historically Accurate Rome, Working Waterfall, Queen - Miracle Express, Futurama Headquarters, Zelda Hyrule Castle, Blue Origin Rocket, Iron Giant Possible, but unlikely: Project Gemini - Generally seems to be different enough (not another SLV, not a lander), correct size and interesting build. At the same time bit niche thematically, and there has been perhaps too many space sets. Wouldn't bet on this one. Retro Bowling Alley - A simple building with very limited appeal to non-american audience. Knight Rider - The car design with not much to offer. The nostalgia potential itself is weak. Castle in the Forest - Nice, but comes too soon after Blacksmith. Also, they might be aware of 3 large castle sets coming in the batch after the next one. Ruined house - One of the coolest builds this round, but likely only little market appeal. The Krusty Krab - Uncertain regarding the license. It would be good candidate otherwise. Pool of the most likely candidates: Great Fishing Boat: Borderline case. Maybe too soon after the pirate ship, also the fishing industry might be considered controversial. Otherwise an ok candidate. Hard to guess the market potential. Mary Poppins - No obvious negatives/hurdles. Coraline's appartments - No obvious negatives/hurdles. Although yet another house after Sesame Street and Home Alone? Earth Globe - Another display piece, like the typewriter or the piano. There's also the Indiana Jones diorama, which I have hard time to assess.

Although I have not been following this for too long, it seems to me the high number of castle sets now simultaneously reaching high numbers is unprecedented. The Castle in the Forest is currently under review, and we might see three (!) castle sets in one of the following reviews (Classic Castle is at 9000, Lord AFOL's castle at 7000, and Fantasy Castle at 6500). Four large castle sets, proper ones, not just some broadly medieval-themed sets! It is very much possible the previously approved Blacksmith has completely ruled them all out. If not, we will see one full-scale castle approved soon or never. I would take any of them, to be honest.

Hello, I used to have a large collection of classic space sets (sprinkled with some Futuron and Blacktron II) as a kid in the late 80s / early 90s. Driven by strong nostalgia I decided to buy a set for a showcase. I decided on the 70816 Benny's Spaceship, as the closest modern approximation, and I like it very very much. I also discovered there has been this re-imagining of the classic space theme among the fans with more modern components and building methods. I would very much like to try to build something like the LL-605 Marauder, or LL-497, but I have no idea where to start. I remember the ships of old to be much more blocky, so I assume these are built in a different way, surely utilizing components from modern sets (Star Wars?) that I know absolutely nothing about. Would some kind soul recommend me what would be the best way to accumulate necessary basic pool of bricks for this theme quickly and efficiently (I'm ready to spend several hundred dollars initially) - maybe identify some critical sets, and direct me to either some instructions on basics how such sets are built or even recommend some MOCs with existing manual for me to start with? Thank you.