BrickPrick

Yeah, they definitely got the memo by now. I think the annual polls about the best extras included in each Magazine helped them to steer in the right direction. I mean, how many kids in their right mind would prefer those micro-builds over actual minifigures? At least on the official distribution website, Blue Ocean, you are able to order 20 units per Magazine. Oh, I see. I'm generally not that well aware when Lego retired which piece, but having just looked at it, I can totally understand why they did. What the heck, it looks super funky on the minifigure you mentioned. Definitely getting something brand new, then. Although the concept art also shows a physical waist cape that I'm not too sure will be there, so yeah... I take it with a tiny grain of salt, but I'm much more confident after your informative posting. Yep, that's actually a thing. You may be lucky and still end up getting a minifigure in August when they catch-up for certain characters that have already been available in other EU countries, but the ratio between getting desirable minifigs versus mini-builds generally depends on the time and place you're currently in. Making the whole thing indeed not as convenient as you would think it is.

As the PT is notorious for in flying colors. Yeah, even though I can think of like ~37 other Padmé variants as well. To this day, Lego barely scratched the surface there. I would like the set to stay at this price point. But I will by no means expect it to stay at 60 bucks. Even when the set is officially revealed at a certain price tag, you may be surprised to find an additional 5/10€ in the Lego store before it even released. So yeah, I'm... interested to see how things shape up. Yep, I don't think Lego will go the extra mile for a Zam minifigure. Including a second head, as nice as that would be, is exactly that. However, what I would expect to see are no shortcuts, like getting a new helmet element should be there. Basically, give me peak Lego Star Wars, not necessarily peak, well, existence. It will have areas where you could obviously improve upon, yes. But what's there should be rock solid. You know, I would have given you a Jango Fett minifigure, if you weren't exactly based on the other side of the "galaxy". But if that wasn't the case, you would probably received it yourself already. If we're getting any new Padmé outfit next year at all, I would say the Theed one is the most likely. That's the kind of pleasant news I will suck up every positive energy imaginable from until we get to the real juicy stuff, aka January minifigure lists. Yep, I thought I was too late at first... There were no Lego Star Wars Magazines to be seen. Only the usual subjects (Ninjago, City, Jurassic World etc.) that are just not nearly enough as sought after as Star Wars is. They had just opened store for like 15 minutes, mind you, but with the mere army building aspect of the Galactic Marines in mind, I was expecting the worst for a moment. But it turned out they just hadn't unpacked the newest edition yet, so I got a pair of them. And yep 2.0, the output varies greatly by region. Germany, I have to say, is absolutely among the upper end of the food chain. We got nothing but bangers all year, in chronological order as follows: Phase 1 Clone Pilot, Night Trooper, Phase 2 Clone Pilot, Anakin Skywalker (TCW), Commando Droid, Jango Fett, now the Galactic Marine and next up is the 327th Clone Trooper. That's the biggest minifigure streak ever and it's still kicking. It's insane.

I asked the same question in here and came to the same conclusion. There's nothing else like it un the Lego Star Wars theme. As I refuse to count some Aldar Beedo abomination that doesn't even resemble a minifigure except for the head. And got remade with a much more appropriate mould anyways. That's a neat idea for a small side-build. Can't imagine Lego giving us a bunch of Kouhuns, since we almost definitely won't be getting Pijama Padmé in our Lego bed. Yep, that hair piece is actually overdue for an overhaul. Quite similar to how ROTS Luke got upgraded. You could even go home and rethink Obi-Wan's hair colour, but after doing so many ginger ones for so long, it may be best to leave it as is. Yeah, I mean while Zam is the undisputed highlight of the minifigure line-up, I wouldn't consider this the only reason to purchase this set. I am also excited for both of those colourful Speeders. And AOTC Anakin has been absent from my collection ever since. Will feel good to finally get him.

Yeah, we won't be discussing these builds for being too small. Yes, that's right. Some selected Battle Packs alone will see to that. I just meant "easier time" in the context of how overdue this set is and how little can actually go wrong here. I get this is a set for more seasoned fans first and probably won't be instantly recognizable by the broad public. Like many kids, I already said this about the Kaminoans, won't know who Zam Wesell is or where she's coming from. What I'm trying to convey is... this is a huge deal and Lego has, different to other popular returning sets, little room to screw this one up. Yep, the XJ-6 Airspeeder might end up a tad oversized, in the same vein as Cobb Vanth's Speeder was. Although I'm very curious to see to what extent the *final* price point will reflect that. Oh, she absolutely has to! Don't just put some goggles on her or something. No shortcuts, except the expected printed waist cape. An additional head would be fitting and nice, but that's just the stuff I think Lego doesn't even consider to do. However, a recoulered bandana piece should make up for that and could be included. Unless it's printed on already for her human face, which also wouldn't surprise me. Yes, that's the mismatch you can have with some Lego Star Wars sets. On one hand, every noteworthy character of a scene the set is depicting is on board and it's enough in that sense. But considering the price point of said set, it doesn't always necessarily feel like enough... even if it does make perfect sense in the context of the souce material. I agree that Jango's appeal would be fairly limited due to his renewed high availability, but if we're talking about an additional figure, it would still be the most logical inclusion.

In my restless dreams, I see that set. The 2027 Bounty Hunter Pursuit. Has there ever been an easier time for Lego to make some money by revisiting a set at all? I mean, is there really anything that can turn out awfully wrong with this one? Sure, 25 years is a rather long time. That feels like a lifetime for a Lego Star Wars set. It might as well be one of the most requested Remakes for a reason. But for a 2002 release, I think the original holds up rather well. Of course they can and will modernize the asthetics across the board and may apply some neat building techniques with all those new pieces. Those Speeders are on the smaller side to begin with, so we won't be having a debate about downscaling. If anything, the builds might end up being too big, if Lego is yet again trying too hard to fit a certain price point determined beforehand. Zam Wesell will definitely be the star of the show and get a huge upgrade. Probably no physical waist cape, but that's to be expected at this point. Contrary to a new moulded helmet element and the no-brainer alternative face print. While Anakin and Obi-Wan will probably only be slightly updated. Those three figures are obviously a lock. Anything beyond that, except maybe Jango or an anniversary figure, would surprise me. So again, it will be very difficult for me to be disappointed in the minifigure line-up. Honestly, other than the likely off-coloured stickers, I'm having a tough time how the set can't deliver in all aspects.

That's actually the exact same line-up that I had in mind as well. But yeah, I have a hunch Lego is filling up the selection with some less desirable characters than the Force Ghosts. In any case, very much looking forward to some concrete figure lists. We got some good food lately. Now it's time to spice things up a little.

Through the power of social interaction, I got two Galactic Marines, just one for myself. For the whole figure, though. I will skip this one. Magazines used to be my only source (other than buying individual sets that is) for some very light army building. But nowadays I only get them when it's not guaranteed I get the minifigs in a fitting regular released set. Even though we're supposed to get a dozen minifigures or so, I doubt it. I just don't think the line-up leaves enough spots to make them when you factor in all main characters, Ewoks and what have you. In a MBS rendition with 20+ minifigures, this would be a no-brainer. But for a larger playset, I just don't see that being the case. Would of course love to be wrong on this one. As like you said, it's still our best bet since quite a while. And it would obviously be quite fitting for the 50th Star Wars anniversary. They would be like bonus anniversary figures, if you will.

It will be a family birthday gift, but yeah... Looking forward to just build something Lego Star Wars again! It might not be saying much, but it was clear from the very get-go that the MTT was the much better deal compared to the Tiny Turbo Tank. I also didn't quote you on this after all, but I agree with your previous sentiment of flagship sets being back in a big way this year. I deliberately held back any further ST slander postings in fear of the Rancor. Yeah, this is where I'm at, too. There wasn't exactly a shortage of Imperial Troopers for the better part of this decade. Some Rebellion representation is much more overdue and would go a long way. So I see no good reason to don't do a 50:50 ratio between both factions. Oh, definitely. As you also might be aware, at least the german Magazine considerably upped their minifigure inclusions the last couple of years. The 327th Trooper will be next up, by the way.

Wakey wakey! It's yet again time to get up extra early for a few pieces of precious plastic. I'm on the noble mission to receive just a couple of them Galactic Marine's from the brand new Magazine, potentially breaking some poor kids heart (not really) later on in the process. This one will obviously prove to be rather popular, so I leave nothing to chance. Having just consumed my cup of Jawa Juice, only a short trip for some Republic Credits and half an hour of walking to the nearest Toshi Station, while enduring the Twin Suns of Tatooine, may stand between me and my bounty. Which me luck.. or don't!

You see, in a less obvious and weird way, we seem to see where we're coming from with our respective standpoints. You think we won't see a new Gungun Sub at all, but can admit a Boss Nass minifigure would be a sensible inclusion. While I think he would be less likely included in an AAT, but the set itself is more likely to show up again. If everything goes to plan, I will have the MTT in person next month. It's not for me, but I look forward to build it and toy around with the deployment play feature. Personally, that's one of the biggest criticisms of the ST. They just straight up ruined the original cast of characters. They were little more than Hollywood-approved marketing tools in order to make Star Wars fans lose their minds over two seconds representation in a trailer. Something part of the fanbase is very susceptible to fall for.

I don't know, man... I just don't see it. The figure line-up would probably be rather limited for a new AAT. If he was part of a bigger set, like some sort of Battle of Naboo set, or like you mentioned a new MTT later down the line, then yeah... I can see that. Still don't think, as unlikely as it might be, the chances of a new Gungun Sub are (nigh) impossible. Yeah, I know. I'm well aware social media is all the rage nowadays. So Lego would be wise to do market research there instead of an enthusiast bubble. Although I prefer to communicate via the latter. As they just lack the soul and personality for many conversations at hand. I obviously agree that you can't really include Zam anywhere else than in the Bounty Hunter Pursuit, which is arguably one of the most requested Remakes in recent memory. Just don't think a new Gungun Sub is much less likely to reappear. Maybe by a bit but not much. As you already said, TPM sets became a real rarity this decade. This downward trend cannot be denied. So it's kinda difficult to pinpoint the likelihood of specific sets including certain minifigures. At the end of the day, though, I would be fine with either of those sets in order to get those minifigs. Just want that treaty signed. Oh really, what gave you that idea? I definitely agree with you here. I'm surprised you're this surprised. I remember a time when January waves were not even remotely this meaty and not even like a real wave at all. So people getting excited over this fact alone seems plausible to me. Personally, even though that's not a terribly high bar to beat, 2027 is shaping up to be much more exciting than this year. Welcome to the Eurobricks madness. Yet another guy who gets it. The Skywalker Saga style Theed Padmé looks great and should serve as the main design inspiration for the official minifigure... like many other never before done characters or respected versions.

I mean, they went from Star Wars as a definitive cinema franchise to making a bunch of annual TV shows. Which, in order to feed their brand new subscription service, made a lot of sense at the time and probably payed off for them. But now they are trying to kinda reverse course from the "content over cinema" climate, by using the content as a springboard to create and revive cinema again. And frankly, I don't want or look for that from Star Wars. If the cinema feels like just more content, it's not for me. Then I just don't see the need to watch it in theaters, but I treat it like every other video on demand piece of media.

Okay, how about I actually make use of the right thread this time around, huh? So yeah, The Mandalorian and Grogu reviews are out and the critical reception has been as lukewarm as expected. And I only expect it to go further down at this point. That's definitely enough to convince me to skip the theater visit. A Star Wars movie used to be a huge deal back in the day, but Disney unceremoniously lost that spark before. So while trying to use Mando & Grogu past fame as kind of a trojan horse to make Star Wars cinema exciting and inviting again may make perfect business sense for them, it doesn't sit right with me. Not if the execution seems to be this unremarkable.

I just got gifted the V-19 Torrent Starfighter plus Cobb Vanth's Speeder and could hardly be any happier right now.

Yep, this would have been my bet as well. Although owning everything is much easier for The Lord of the Rings than it is for Star Wars, it must still be an impressive display. Given your enormous private collection, have you ever considered to get some commercial usage out of it? Less selling some of it and more like for presentation purposes. Or is that not something you would be ever interested in and rather keep your private collection as such?