•  
  • Lego (75)

Lego Unveils World’s Largest Lego Model

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: No Comments
Published on: May 23, 2013

Lego is promoting their upcoming animated series, The Yoda Chronicles, with heavy doses of free merchandise, online advertising and now, the world’s largest model of an X-Wing Starfighter.

With over 5.3 million bricks, the full sized model took over four months to build and weighs in at nearly 50,000 pounds.  It was unveiled in Times Square today and its final destination will be Legoland California.

Make sure to tune into Cartoon Network next Wednesday, May 29th, for the first installment of The Yoda Chronicles but, for now, check out the photo and the full press release below and head over to our friends at YodasNews.com for a full behind the scenes look at this incredible Lego build.

LEGO Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter

The LEGO Group unveils world’s largest LEGO® model

More than five million LEGO bricks used to create life-sized X-Wing starfighter in celebration of new LEGO Star Wars animated TV special “The Yoda™ Chronicles” premiering on Cartoon Network

The LEGO Group today unveiled the world’s largest LEGO model, a 1:1 replica of the LEGO® Star Wars™ X-Wing starfighter, in New York’s Times Square. To celebrate the upcoming premiere of The Yoda Chronicles on Cartoon Network on Wednesday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m. (ET, PT), the massive replica took 32 master builders, five million LEGO bricks and over 17,000 hours to complete. The model weighs nearly 20,865 kilograms, stands 3.35 meters tall and 13.1 meters long, with a wingspan of 13.44 meters. The Model will “take off” for a summer landing at LEGOLAND® California Resort where it will be installed through the remainder of the year.

“Just as kids love to test and hone their LEGO building skills and imaginative storytelling, our LEGO Master Builders are always testing their creative skills to top their last larger-than-life sized creations,” said Michael McNally, Brand Relations Director for LEGO Systems.  “The size and structural complexity of a freestanding model 42 times the size of one our retail sets was a challenge they could not resist.”

LEGO Star Wars is the original and most successful licensed product collection in The LEGO Group’s history and remains among the best-selling global toy lines. The theme’s evergreen strength comes from its appeal across generations to fans of all ages and a steady introduction of digital content such as The Yoda Chronicles to compliment the building experience.

“Much the same way that fans can build the Star Wars universe with our LEGO sets, we are fortunate to work with Lucasfilm to build new stories, characters and vehicles through one-of-a-kind content such as the new  “Yoda Chronicles” miniseries launching on Cartoon Network,” said Nicholas Hort, LEGO Star Wars brand manager.

LEGO Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter Model Fun Facts
• Contains 5,335,200 LEGO bricks
• Weighs 45,980 pounds/20,865 kilograms
• Height: 11 feet / 3.35 meters
• Length: 43 feet / 13.1 meters
• Wingspan: 44 feet / 13.44 meters
• 32 builders spent 17,336 hours to construct – about 4 months
• Built in the LEGO Model Shop in Kladno, Czech Republic
• Is a one-to-one replica of LEGO Star Wars set #9493; The model is 42x the size of the retail building set
• The model was heavily engineered to withstand all the transportation, setup/break down and to ensure it was safe for Times Square given the subway system below and California’s seismic requirements for the LEGOLAND California Resort installation.

Media contact:
Fiona Chan for LEGO Systems, Inc.
510-316-7027 or chan@flashpointpr.com

How to Celebrate From a “Galaxy Far, Far Away” with Cool Content and LEGO Bricks:

“The Yoda Chronicles”
The Yoda Chronicles is an exciting, funny and action-packed new LEGO Star Wars story told in three animated TV specials. “The Phantom Clone” will premiere on Wednesday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m. (ET, PT) on Cartoon Network with specials two and three airing later this year. In the first of three specials, a brand new character, Jek 14 will enter the Star Wars universe. Created by the LEGO Group, Jek 14 is a clone who has been ‘enhanced’ by the Force.

LEGO Star Wars Red Five X-Wing Starfighter™
The most detailed and realistic version of the construction set, the LEGO Star Wars Red Five X-Wing Starfighter, is now available as the ultimate collectible. This exclusive model that contains over 1,500 LEGO bricks comes with a special display stand and data sheet label, is available at LEGO® brand retail stores and shop.LEGO.com for $199.99 USD.

Lego 75025 Jedi Defender-class Cruiser Announced

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: May 11, 2013

Photos hit the Internet yesterday of a new Lego set, 75025 Jedi Defender-class Cruiser from The Old Republic.  The set, which contains 927 pieces, will include four minifigures, including three that are new; Sith Warrior, Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular and a Sith Trooper.

Price will probably be around $100.  There doesn’t seem to be a release date yet but look for it later in the year.

Lego Red Five X-Wing Starfighter (10240) Available Tomorrow

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: May 3, 2013

Lego 10240 Red Five X-Wing Starfighter

Announced back on February 16th, the Lego Red Five X-Wing Starfighter (10240) will finally be available for sale starting Tomorrow.  The Lego exclusive will be available in stores and on Shop@Home for $199.99.

While the build fits into the UCS family of sets, ringing in with 1559 pieces, it will include one minifigure of R2-D2.  The X-Wing will include a stand with information plaque and features opening wings and cockpit.

May the 4th Event Roundup

by E...
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: May 3, 2013

May the 4th Be With YouThere will be a lot of stores holding events tomorrow in celebration of May the 4th Be With You.  We’ve pointed out a couple, including Lego, Hasbro, Her Universe and Sideshow but there are a lot more.

StarWars.com posted a May the 4th Microsite with details on quite a few events around the country along with other ways to celebrate; including movie marathons and even recipes for Star Wars themed Mocktails.

Also, be sure to head over to Roqoo Depot’s May the 4th roundup which is pretty comprehensive.

If all of the Star Wars events aren’t enough, don’t forget that Saturday is also Free Comic Book Day which includes a Star Wars comic from Dark Horse.  To find your local comic book store, check out the Comic Shop Locator Service.

Lego May the 4th Deals

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: April 26, 2013

5001621 Han Solo HothLego has posted a sneak peek at their May the 4th promotions for this year and it includes free shipping on all Star Wars purchases from Shop@Home over $49, a free Han Solo Hoth minifigure with a purchase of $75 or more and a free Star Wars poster with all purchases.

There should also be some sales but other than a rumored sale on the 10227 B-Wing Starfighter, we don’t have any additional information on that yet.

Toys-R-Us May the 4th Lego Promotion Announced

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: April 25, 2013

May the 4th Jek-14 TRU PromoLego’s upcoming TV show, “The Yoda Chronicles,” is getting a big push this year and to help publicize it, Toys-R-Us stores will be running a May the 4th promotion where participants can build an exclusive mini Jek-14 Stealth Starfighter.

The promo will run from 12 – 2PM on Saturday, May 4th.  Check out the promo banner from the Dickson City, PA Toys-R-Us store.

Photo and report courtesy Joe Kersavage

Star Wars Lego: The Empire Strikes Out on DVD

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: March 15, 2013

Lego Star Wars The Empire Strikes OutBack in September, Cartoon Network aired Star Wars Lego: The Empire Strikes Out, their most recent animated special.  In just over a week, on March 26th, that special will be out on DVD.  The set includes an exclusive Lego Darth Vader with medal minifigure.  The set will retail for about $15 but is available for pre-order from Amazon, at the time of this post, for $9.99.

Lego Price Rollback at Walmart

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: March 8, 2013

9500 Sith Fury-class InterceptorWe read a few reports online that some Walmart stores had issued a price rollback on several Star Wars sets and, after checking locally, can confirm this.  The discounts range from about $3 to about $24 on the higher priced offerings.  Here’s what showed up on rollback at the local store, original retail in parentheses:

  • 9497 Republic Striker-class Starfighter: $35.96 ($44.97)
  • 9499 Gungan Sub: $55.96 ($69.97)
  • 9500 Sith Fury-Class Interceptor: $72.96 ($89.97)
  • 9515 Malevolence: $95.96 ($119.97)
  • 9516 Jabba’s Palace: $95.96 ($119.97)
  • 9525 Pre Vizsla’s Mandalorian Fighter: $39.96 ($49.97)
  • 75002 AT-RT: $17.00 ($19.97)

The savings on the Malevolence and Jabba’s Palace are quite significant but we’d recommend picking up the two Old Republic ships or Pre Vizsla’s Fighter as they’re the type of sets that can fly under the radar, suddenly disappear and leave you searching eBay for a deal.

Lego Polybag Sets at Walmart

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: March 5, 2013

Lego 30240 Z-95 HeadhunterKeep an eye on your Walmart stores, they’re receiving cardboard displays of polybagged Lego sets.  Yesterday we spotted several boxes at our local store, with six different sets.  They’re all in the $3 to $4 range but priced slightly different.

  • 30161 Batmobile (Same as Target release for Christmas)
  • 30213 Gandalf at Dol Guldur (The Hobbit, released 2012 at Toys-R-Us)
  • 30222 Police Helicopter
  • 30230 Mini Mech with Jack Fireblade (Galaxy Squad)
  • 30240 Z-95 Headhunter (Star Wars)
  • 30254 Razcal’s Double-Crosser (Legends of Chima)

The boxes were in the toy section by the main Lego aisle at pir store but we’ve read that some stores may be putting these near their Easter holiday decorations and candy aisles.

Lego the Number Two Toy Manufacturer?

by E...
Categories: Lego
Comments: Comments Off
Published on: February 28, 2013

Lego 2x4 Red Brick Held by ChildMattel has been the number one toy manufacturer for years, with Hasbro (a sometimes distant) second.  But according to BMO Capitol’s Gerrick Johnson, by way of Richard Gottlieb’s Global Toy News, things are shaking up at the top.

According to Johnson’s analysis, Lego did $4.137 billion in sales in 2012 to Hasbro’s $4.08 billing, beating them by about $53 million and making them the number 2 company.  What’s interesting is that when net income is tallied up, Lego actually beats both Mattel and Hasbro by about $215 million and $656 million respectively, making it number 1.

It’s not hard to see Hasbro taking a big hit last year, even if their Star Wars line is just one aspect of their business, we all know how badly it fared.  Missteps with the G.I. Joe movie being postponed, Kre-O seemingly doing poorly enough that it’s now a Toys-R-Us exclusive, and even The Avengers line, which sold quickly initially, had trouble finding its way to retail when it came to the later waves.

It’s been our stance that Lego is probably the best overall toy line on the market today and it would seem others agree.  We spent more on Lego in 2012 than the previous three or four years combined.  The Collectible Minifigure line sucked us in but we stayed for Star Wars, City, Harry Potter and the new Galaxy Squad lines.  And maybe some Dino mixed in!  Ninjago has seemingly been a hot seller for Lego and the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit sets have been getting a lot of buzz.  The new Friends line has also taken off.  Having both Marvel and DC in their superheroes line, at a time when both companies have successful movie franchises, doesn’t hurt.

Lego have been increasing sales for nearly a decade and if they continue, could they permanently surpass Hasbro?  With heavy hitting Marvel movies coming for the foreseeable future, and new Star Wars films on the horizon, Hasbro is well positioned to do great things, but they definitely need to change up their formula, because even huge hits like the Avengers and the Transformers movies, don’t seem to have been getting it done.

page 1 of 8»