Author: bluephotographs800

Review Recent LEGO Star Wars “Mandalorian” Tie-Ins in this Cute Animated Short Starring Grogu

When we last left the Mandalorian – outside of his own “Star Wars” series – he and Grogu were happily reunited. The Force-sensitive child of the late Yoda’s species chose to abandon Jedi training to help his one-time protector. We’ll have to wait until “The Mandalorian” season 3 rolls out on Disney+ to learn what happens next. But fans can certainly dream up some nice scenarios of the duo traveling the Galaxy in their custom Naboo starfighter. And if they’re LEGO collectors, these fans can potentially imagine some wild ideas. But can they beat an “official” LEGO Star Wars take on this?

That may well be the point of this cute LEGO animation short as shared by Brick Fanatics. The short, hosted on the Star Wars Kids YouTube channel, is titled “A Gift from Grogu”. Quite obviously it’ll involve everybody’s favorite Baby!Yoda doing something nice for Din Djarin, his Mandalorian protector. In this case Grogu uses the Force to assemble stray LEGO into something awesome. Merchandising-wise, he’s really just showing off recent LEGO Star Wars “The Mandalorian” tie-in sets. In fact, the production of this animation can be dated from the featured sets. They’re still using Razor Crest instead of the Starfighter.

In case you need a refresher, these are the sets featured. We have the Razor Crest (75292); its Microfighter version (75321); and The Mandalorian & the Child (75317). As for the gift, it’s The Child (Grogu) himself (75318). We can consider this a nice look back, given that new LEGO Star Wars stuff are coming. They’ll of course be teased during LEGO Con 2022, happening this coming Saturday June 18.

LEGO.com Kids Teases Next Technic Sets Coming this Summer

Some LEGO collectors surely wait for upcoming sets to be featured with official product listings on the LEGO.com Shop. There’s nothing quite like the finality of those entries with detailed info, specs and product blurbs. Granted, these reveals aren’t instantaneous. Sometimes third-party retailers list their new LEGO items first. Or maybe we just get images on social media. LEGO’s done that too, like with two of their upcoming Technic sets now. Where to find these teaser pictures? As The Brick Fan has it, they’re on the LEGO.com Kids website. And they’re both quite mind-blowingly awesome.

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These images and more can be seen in preview listings for LEGO Technic in LEGO.com for Kids. There are no box photos yet. But we do get cool action visuals of the Material Handler (42144) and Airbus H175 Rescue Helicopter (42145). And because they’re built in the LEGO Technic system, one can’t help but gush at how “real” they look.

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You probably agree after seeing these pictures too. Now the wait for their product listings on the main LEGO.com site feels a bit more cliff-hanging. Thankfully these upcoming LEGO Technic sets are earmarked for summer this year. We’ll probably get more official word soon enough.

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No New LEGO Ghostbusters Revealed in Ghostbusters Day 2022

In June 8, 1984 Columbia Pictures released a supernatural comedy involving paranormal investigators starting a business to “capture” ghosts. “Ghostbusters” starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and the late Harold Ramis became a hit. It would lead to a sequel four years later, plus animated series spinoffs, videogames and more media. June 8 became “Ghostbusters Day”, a time when new Ghostbusters stuff usually gets announced amid fan celebration. This year’s edition had some cool announcements like a follow-up to the latest film, 2021’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”. Some animated projects were hinted too. But among the reveals, were no LEGO products.

LEGO has ridden the “Ghostbusters” resurgence somewhat by releasing tie-in sets the past few years. But as Brick Fanatics puts it, there wasn’t even a teaser for any new LEGO Ghostbusters thing. This doesn’t necessarily mean that LEGO’s leaving the theme dry a la LEGO Indiana Jones. The latest tie-in, Ecto-1 (10274), was announced in November of 2020. It usually came with a poster for “Afterlife,” although LEGO made no direct tie-ins to it. Still, with new upcoming “Ghostbusters” projects including an animated series and movie, one can only wonder. We might just be surprised.

LEGO Ideas “Go STEM!” GWP Contest Not Yet Announcing Winners

For the most part, contests on LEGO Ideas run quite smoothly. A contest page is set up, followed by a waiting period for entries. The usual procedure afterwards would consist of the expert review, a fan vote, and finally announcing the winners. Sometimes there might be multiple reviews and votes, if the contests have prelim/semi phases. For the most part, the contest is over when the LEGO Ideas team reveals the winners. Of course, sometimes something comes up. Like now, an Ideas contest that would conclude Thursday…didn’t announce its champions.

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Indeed, the LEGO Ideas “Ready, Set, Go STEAM!” Contest should’ve concluded June 9. That was when the winner announcement would be done. But a visit to the contest page reveals an announcement at top. A LEGO Ideas team spokesperson notes that the STEAM contest will delay its reveal of the winners. Apparently one runner-up contestant hasn’t been responding to official communication from the Ideas platform. For consideration, the Ideas team decided to put things off until all winners are aware and responded. They did say the reveal will be ASAP, but nobody knows how long the wait could be. For the moment, we’ll keep watching the Ideas STEM Contest page.

We covered “Ready, Get Set, Go STEAM!” here in The Brick Show last month. You can check out the 15 finalists vying for grand champion and five runners-up over there. The cool LEGO sets they’d get would be topped by the grand champion’s submission becoming an official GWP in future.

LEGO Star Wars Reveals Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Vader (75334), Now Preorder-Ready

Among the massive character roster of “Star Wars”, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi is easily a universal fan favorite. After all, he was mentor to Anakin Skywalker before he became Darth Vader. Kenobi would do the same for Anakin’s son Luke, before sacrificing himself in battle against Vader. Media-wise he is the first instance of the “Star Wars” spiritual guide called the “Force Ghost”. Franchise followers tend to wonder what his character did between the prequel films and original trilogy. Disney+ obliged with the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” miniseries which started last month, starring Kenobi’s prequel actor Ewan MacGregor. True to fashion, this “Star Wars” spinoff is getting merchandise, LEGO sets among them.

Brickset brings to us word of the first LEGO Star Wars “Obi-Wan Kenobi” tie-in set. This is the epic battlefield piece Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Vader (75334), depicting a key event from episode 3. Before the fateful Death Star duel, Kenobi and Vader (post-Anakin) have already encountered each other. Watch our heroic Jedi Master as he takes on his corrupted former Padawan, alongside Imperial double-agent Tala. Droid NED-B also joins the rumble. Prop functions replicate burning embers and Kenobi doing Force jumps (via transparent elements).

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“Obi-Wan Kenobi” will conclude on Disney+ later this month with two episodes left to go. Meanwhile, you may preorder Obi-Wan vs. Vader (75334) now. It won’t arrive until the first of August however. Anyway, here’s the LEGO.com product listing blurb:

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Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Vader (75334)

Age 8+ | 408 pieces | 4 minifigures | $49.99 | Preorder available; Coming August 1

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  • Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Vader battle set (75334) – Recreate an epic lightsaber duel from Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi with this action-packed LEGO® Star Wars™ buildable toy playset for kids
  • 4 LEGO® minifigures – Obi-Wan Kenobi with a blue lightsaber, Darth Vader with a red lightsaber, Tala Durith with a blaster pistol and droid NED-B with a power hammer and backpack accessory element
  • Play-inspiring features – 2 rotating battle platforms, a translucent stand for Obi-Wan Force-jumps, a fire pop-up function, an opening furnace and a mining cart that can be flipped over and detached

LEGO Icons Loop Coaster (10303) Gets Official Product Listing

Way back in 2018, LEGO wowed amusement park collector-builders with a Roller Coaster set (10261) of the Creator Expert line. Some four years later, speculation began building of a possible follow-up, with a set number even: 10303. The release date is supposed to be this mid-2022. It also means that this set will now come out under the new LEGO Icons moniker, replacing Creator Expert. Well now we can stop wondering because LEGO has made its official reveal according to Germany’s Promobricks. It won’t have the new Icons logo on the packaging yet, but that’s not really important at present.

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Anyway, here we have images and information snippets for the LEGO Icons Loop Coaster (10303). If this is a follow-up of sorts to 2018’s (now-retired) Roller Coaster (10261), it’s a big step up. Where the older set featured turns and inclines, the Loop Coaster boasts more advanced track elements. By that we mean this ride has loops (naturally). Another key feature is the elevator ascent from the station. The lift carries the coaster up to the top of a 90-degree incline. That’s enough momentum to propel the ride through two loops before returning to station.

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Being an 18+ Icons set, Loop Coaster will cost a pretty penny when it launches, though LEGO’s not specifying yet. Here’s some more info from the official LEGO.com product listing:

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Loop Coaster (10303)

Age 18+ | 3,765 pieces | 11 minifigures | $399.99 | Coming Soon

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  • A roller-coaster build for adults – Expand your LEGO® Fairground Collection with this collectible LEGO Loop Coaster Building Kit (10303). A project for adults and a gift idea for amusement park lovers
  • Power up your coaster – Designed with reality in mind, this buildable model is prepared for LEGO® Powered Up (available separately) so you can upgrade the roller-coaster with a motorized elevator
  • Fairground details – Accessories include a park bench with map, balloon cart, pretzel cart, hot-dog stand, height marker and a covered boarding station with opening barriers and a control panel
  • 11 minifigures – Includes a ride operator, balloon seller, pretzel seller, hot-dog seller, a grandma, a young boy, and 5 riders. 6 of the minifigures have reversible heads to show different emotions

LEGO GWP Polybags Now Available: Speed Champions Aston Martin AMR Pro and City Go-Kart

A week into June 2022, LEGO has a new set of GWPs beginning their promo period now. Both items are polybags, and they ought to catch the fancy of automobile aficionados looking for quick builds. One is for the Speed Champions line, which already has new releases this year. The other is a minifigure-scale vehicle for the LEGO City line. According to Brickset, both gift-with-purchase polybags have the same purchase price threshold. One promo period ends sooner than the other though, so here’s the lowdown on these promotional automotive polybags.

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First is the LEGO Speed Champions Aston Martin AMR Pro (30434). From this Tuesday, June 7, one can get it with a minimum LEGO purchase of $40.

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It’s the same price deal for the LEGO City Go-Kart Racer (30589). About the only difference is the end of its GWP period. The City polybag wraps up on the 14th, while its Speed Champions counterpart won’t be until June 19. Of course, both also depend on while their respective stocks last. The Aston Martin polybag’s being touted by LEGO as a nice extra for a Father’s Day LEGO purchase. The City Go-Kart’s more for an everyday gift. These GWPs are available on both LEGO.com and LEGO Stores.

“LEGO Masters” US Season 3 “Jurassic World” Special Sees Chris Pratt and Blue as Guests

LEGO’s TV media presence goes far beyond just animated adaptations of their hit brick-set themes. They’ve gone into reality programming as well. It began in the UK with “LEGO Masters”, a brick-building competition between two-person building teams. The participating pairs are whittled down by weekly challenges until one team wins the championship trophy. They’ll even get their final “masterpiece” build displayed at LEGO House, Billund. Many international editions of “LEGO Masters” followed the UK show. The US edition began in 2020, with a third season premiering this coming September. But first, a special preview episode got to feature an upcoming blockbuster with LEGO tie-in sets.

By that we mean “Jurassic World: Dominion” from Universal Pictures. This “Jurassic” sequel, premiering June 10, was the focus of a special sneak peek episode of “LEGO Masters” season 3. As told by Brick Fanatics, the special preview, showcasing the S3 contestants, was graced by “Jurassic World” star Chris Pratt.

While promoting the film with show presenter Will Arnett, it becomes clear Pratt wasn’t the only cast member around. The new “LEGO Masters” teams got plenty shocked when raptor Blue (portrayed by suit) took the stage. Also eye-catching were the LEGO Jurassic World tie-ins displayed in front of the hosts.

Season 3 of “LEGO Masters” US actually got delayed from its original May premiere. That would explain the sneak peek episode which aired last Sunday, May 5. At least one other special is expected before the season proper begins September 21 on FOX. “Jurassic World: Dominion”, again, arrives in theaters this coming Friday, June 10.

LEGO Con 2022 Teaser for Marvel “Doctor Strange” Set, Likely New Sanctum Sanctorum (76218)

Two Saturdays from now, LEGO will be kicking off its second ever LEGO Con. LEGO House in Billund will play host to a major live show event this coming June 18. As expected of cons, LEGO plans to make epic reveals of many upcoming products and sets. Some of these have been teased repeatedly over the past few months too. To give an example, LEGO Marvel collectors would still be waiting for the reported Sanctum Sanctorum revamp set (76218). While not mentioned specifically, this may be the subject of a new LEGO Con 2022 teaser.

The Brick Fan reports the official LEGO Twitter page posted a LEGO Con 2022 teaser this past Monday, June 6. Like we mentioned, it involves an upcoming LEGO Marvel set. And if you’ve no idea which Marvel franchise is involved, the preview graphics make it very obvious. The Marvel Studios logo and sling ring effects confirm the new LEGO Marvel set as for “Doctor Strange”.

Moving on to speculation territory, it can only be the aforementioned Sanctum Sanctorum, magical home/HQ to Doctor Strange. Already done once in LEGO form (LEGO Marvel #76108), the new #76218 is believed to be bigger. We’re talking similar scale to the epic Daily Bugle (76178).

Sure, less than two weeks’ wait for LEGO to just reveal the thing can be trying for collectors’ patience. But at least we’ll be getting a definitive deadline for knowing more about LEGO Marvel Sanctum Sanctorium (76218). It all comes down to LEGO Con 2022, happening June 18. Live-streaming is available (for US, 12PM New York and 9AM Los Angeles). We’re sure more teasers are in store for the event so we’ll keep an eye out for more Con-related stuff.

Five Disney Princesses in Announced LEGO Ultimate Adventure Castle (43205) Coming August

Disney struck a gold mine with the development of their Disney Princess product line many years ago. Young girls definitely went crazy all over the stuff adorned by images from the Princess characters of Disney canon. There were some restrictions however. One might notice that a shirt with, say, Ariel and Belle don’t have the two interacting. Official marketing mandated that detachment between Disney Princesses in official merchandise to keep their individual images distinct. Such regulations have since relaxed, especially with the Princesses seen in 2018’s “Ralph Wrecks the Internet”. In LEGO Disney, that hasn’t been much of a problem.

To illustrate, there’s this newly-announced upcoming LEGO Disney castle play-set as shared with us by The Brick Fan. It’s a fairly basic castle build for ages 6 and up, priced at less than $100. But Ultimate Adventure Castle (43205) will net young collectors with no less than five Disney Princess minidolls. Snow White, Ariel, Pocahontas, Tiana and Rapunzel share this fine castle which features room for each of them. There’s even room for animal companions and accessories of every stripe. LEGO Disney fans can expect this set to arrive in August. But now let’s see details from LEGO.com’s product listing:

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Ultimate Adventure Castle (43205)

Age 6+ | 698 pieces | 5 minidolls | $99.99 | Coming August 1

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Ultimate castle

This detailed set boosts children’s confidence as they build it, then sparks imagination and creativity as they role-play stories of their own. This set is designed to be played with solo or as part of a playdate with friends, and it combines with other LEGO ǀ Disney Princess sets (sold separately).

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Beloved characters and friends

This set keeps kids playing for hours with Disney’s Ariel, Moana, Rapunzel, Snow White and Tiana mini-doll figures, plus Marcel, Pascal, Pua, Sebastian and a bird LEGO animal figures. It’s an impressive gift for any Disney Princess fan.

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  • Creative play – Give any Disney fan aged 6+ a gift full of features, rooms, functions and accessories to drive role play in this fun LEGO® ǀ Disney Princess™ Ultimate Adventure Castle (43205) set
  • What’s in the box? – This 698-piece set features an opening, lockable castle with 4 levels, 5 bedrooms, a celebration cake, an animal playground and a key, plus accessories to spark endless adventures
  • Iconic characters – Featuring Disney’s Ariel, Moana, Rapunzel, Snow White and Tiana mini-doll figures, plus 5 LEGO® animal figures, this set is designed for endless imaginative adventures