This week, we reported on the possibility of seeing the LEGO Harry Potter theme return in 2018, and this time, Brick Fanatics stumbled upon some further information that gives us a better picture of what to expect from the brick-built wizarding world of Harry Potter. Expectedly, J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will also be receiving the LEGO treatment with two sets slated to be released ahead of the film’s November 16, 2018 debut.
According to intel gathered by Brick Fanatics, the rumored 2018 LEGO Harry Potter sets will be a reference to some of the memorable places and figures in the Harry Potter series. First off, we have a rumored set that includes Harry, Ron Weasley, and the infamous Acromantula from the Forbidden Forest, Aragog. Introduced in the Chamber of Secrets, there has been in particular, two LEGO Harry Potter sets that included the fearsome magical creature: we have the Aragog in the Dark Forest (4727) way back from 2002, and 2010’s Hagrid Hut’s (4738). Now if this rumor is indeed true, I couldn’t help but a little unhappy with this yet to be named set, since there are literally tons of materials that LEGO can find inspiration with. I know that a lot of AFOLs have different thoughts about re-releases, but in my opinion, a re-release or rehash is only justified or reasonable when there is something new that you can bring unto the table, either as a remarkable improvement such as in scale, size or added play features (in the case of UCS and D2Cs), or there is simply not enough material to explore anymore with regards to the theme. But obviously, the latter is not the case in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Like how Brian succinctly described it in his latest rumor round up video using the rehashed LEGO Star Wars Death Star (75159) as an example, such re-release may perhaps be warranted.
Second is the Flying Ford Anglia with the Weeping or Whomping Willow from Hogwarts Grounds. Once again, the Flying Ford Anglia, the one modern vehicle that saved Harry and Ron’s neck from danger a couple of times in Chamber of Secrets, is not particularly new in LEGO. It appeared in brick form three times in various sets beginning 2002 until 2016 with Escape from Privet Drive (4728), Hogwarts Express (4841), and as a LEGO Dimension set, Harry Potter Team Pack (71247). What is new here, if ever this will be an actual LEGO set, is the setting where we can find the classic, blue car. This rumored set is at its best, a representation of that scene right after Harry’s escape from Privet Drive and as they unfortunately landed on the wrong side of Hogwarts Grounds where they were greeted by the unwelcoming, enchanted tree. This is definitely one of the iconic scenes in the film where the duo was attacked by the Whomping Willow, and it will be kind of interesting to see how LEGO designers will render this inhospitable tree in LEGO pieces.
Lastly, for the rumored 2018 LEGO Harry Potter sets, we have a rendition of the Hogwarts Great Hall. Now, I would like to imagine this as a D2C set that may be larger than the most recent Hogwarts Castle (4842) released in 2010. By far, the former is the second largest LEGO Harry Potter set ever made coming in at 1,290 pieces, overshadowed by the D2C set, Diagon Alley (10217) from 2011. As most LEGO fans are aware already, it is not a long shot to consider another LEGO Harry Potter D2C in the form of the Hogwarts Great Hall. I imagine this to be THE grandest LEGO Harry Potter set ever with, all the luxurious interiors of the hall, including, among many others, a vignette of all the notable teachers and professors of Hogwarts, students from the four houses, and some of the memorable scenes from the film that happened inside the castle similar to what LEGO did with the Disney Castle (71040). I know I sound like pushing the envelope here, but considering LEGO’s proven track record of releasing ridiculously large sets, then I wouldn’t be surprised if the grandiose Great Hall becomes a LEGO reality.
Moving on, especially that J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts are getting the attention of moviegoers, it is but reasonable to assume that LEGO is moving beyond offering LEGO Dimension sets, to regular ones, particularly the next two rumored sets one of which I believe is a good choice of becoming a LEGO set. Latest rumor has it that there will be two LEGO sets slated for the latest instalment for the film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The first is described as Newt Scamander’s Suitcase believed to be a buildable suitcase which is then filled with brick-built creatures from the film.
Now it is not hard to imagine the exterior design of the suitcase since it can be a pretty straightforward build. But like in the film, what is interesting is what you can find inside. Since we already have Niffler and the Swooping Evil in their LEGO brick forms in LEGO Dimensions Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Play the Complete Movie (71253) and the Tina Goldstein Fun Pack (71257) respectively, it is not hard to imagine how these creatures will look like if ever they are included in the rumored set. Nevertheless, it will be a pretty neat set if it can contain all the notable creatures in the film.
Finally, we have a yet to be revealed set that is directly tied-in with the upcoming sequel. No information was given (aka leaked) about this confidential set which probably has a direct reference to a particular scene in Crimes of Grindelwald. Just like in the previous Harry Potter books and films, there are a lot of potential materials, scenes and characters that can be included in this future LEGO set. We still need to see the main villain of the film, Gellert Grindelwald, the younger version of Albus Dumbledore, and Tina’s sister, the charming Queenie Goldstein in their LEGO minifigure forms.
All in all, the future looks nice for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts theme, and LEGO having a good feel on the pulse of the LEGO community, then I believe LEGO is in the right direction with this one. Only time can tell if this revival of sorts will hold the interests of fans for a considerable amount of time. As for now, we’ll simply have to wait for the theatrical release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald on November 16, 2018, and perhaps get a glimpse of the official sets come September.
Thanks are in order once again to Brick Fanatics for sharing this info.