The Brick Show | Page 98 of 489 | LEGO News & Happenings

More Rumors About the Still-Unrevealed LEGO Titanic Set (10294)

It’s coming close to a week since details on the huge LEGO Titanic set (10294) got leaked. Said information consisted of a box image photo and build specifications. We got some pertinent details: 9,090 pieces total; the ability to take apart the structure into several sections to show the interior; and finally, not being a licensed set. Incredibly, LEGO still remains silent on their open-secret Titanic (10294), hinting at a possibly distant release date. Perhaps to placate collectors itching to know more, additional rumors surfaced about the LEGO Titanic. Like the original underwater wreckage discovery, new details make themselves known.

We now know these rumors courtesy of German LEGO news source Promobricks.de, which also covered last week’s leak. First new info: the model’s size. The LEGO Creator Expert Titanic (10294) spans 135 cm long and stands 44 cm tall. We’re looking at a supposedly exact 1:200 scale size to the actual doomed passenger liner. Next – as can be discerned from the box image – the build uses printed foil pieces for the flags with no stickers. The set apparently also recycles elements from a LEGO Ideas set: Typewriter (21327). The letters for “Titanic” on the model’s nameplate use the same font and size as the Typewriter’s keypads, according to the rumor.

As for the set being capable of separating into segments, the divisions probably number three. You might notice the faint seams running between Titanic’s chimney 1 and 2, and between 3 and 4. Supposedly the interior details copy the layout as closely as possible, with identifiable bathrooms, cabins, salons and pools. In addition, the steam engines have mechanical action; manually turning a gear makes the pistons and propellers move. If that doesn’t blow your minds about the LEGO Titanic (10294), then nothing will. Come on, LEGO. Reveal this already.

ChrisOrchard’s Clockwork Solar System Becomes Sixth 10-K Set for LEGO Ideas Third 2021 Review Stage

Okay, we just got done with our feature on that sweet LEGO Ideas contest with a prize Fender Stratocaster. Lo and behold, it turns out a new product idea also gained the necessary 10,000 supporters very recently. As you know from our past updates, the Third 2021 Review Stage is filling up rather nicely. The latest batch consists of a wide variety of subjects, from originals to licensed IPs. One of these submissions, the very first actually, boasts a nifty mechanical feature. This new entry from ChrisOrchard however plans to blow Land Ahoy out of the water in mechanical complexity.

Submitted for consideration and supported by 10-K LEGO Ideas members: The Clockwork Solar System by ChrisOrchard. If you think the product idea is a brick-built retro device then you’re spot on. ChrisOrchard patterned his submission on orreries, mechanical scale representations of the sun and planets revolving around it. They have been built as early as the 14^th Century (actually ancient times, if considering the “geocentric” models). This product idea got based on a model system circa the 1700s and took ChrisOrchard about 15 months to complete. With less than 3000 pieces this build accurately replicates the planets’ scale orbit speeds.

For an in-depth explanation check out ChrisOrcard’s video for his Clockwork Solar System on his Waller Customs YouTube channel. And when he says clockwork he means clockwork. The base contains a motor and battery box to drive the planets on their orbits. ChrisOrchard also suggests open space of at least 30 inches to allow full rotation without hitting any obstacles.

Clockwork Solar System joins LEGO Ideas Third 2021 Review Stage as the sixth set entry.

Newest LEGO Ideas Contest Can Get You Two Fender Stratocasters: the Set (21329) and the Real Deal!

As a LEGO Ideas contest ends, so a new one begins. After the LEGO Harry Potter 20^th Anniversary contest concludes, another based on a new Ideas set release is on. Surely you’re still basking in the glory of the Fender Stratocaster (21329), music lover or otherwise. That Ideas set could be yours, along with an Ideas Grand Piano (21323) and (GASP!) a real Stratocaster. Got your attention now? Then read on with our little feature for details then check out the contest page for specifics.

“Strike a Chord with the Fender Stratocaster!” So goes the latest LEGO Ideas contest title. How do you do that? The Ideas crew wants you to depict music-related imagery featuring the legendary guitar. Was the Stratocaster featured on the cover of your favorite album? Recreate it in LEGO. Remember a musical performance where the band members carried it? Build it brick by brick with minifigures. Indeed, this is another contest where Ideas members participating can use third-party IPs. But just make sure those said IPs are allowed by LEGO. Thankfully LEGO Ideas has an IP verification tool on their site, usable when submitting product ideas. They do give you full blessing for using the Beatles.

IP complexities aside, participants who are also music enthusiasts will find this contest worth it. To reiterate the prizes for the grand winner, they are:

LEGO Ideas sets
1. Fender Stratocaster (21329)
2. Grand Piano (21323)
LEGO Ideas tote bag
Fender PLAYER STRATOCASTER® (Model #: 0144502513) (You know you needed to verify)

Nine runners-up will get the LEGO Ideas Stratocaster (21329) and tote bag for their efforts. The contest will take in ideas from October 5 to November 4. The expert review phase runs from the latter date to November 18. A crowd vote follows from the 18^th to 24^th. Tune in on December 2 for the announcement of winner and runners-up.

“LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” Nintendo Switch Port Has Launched

In 2013, Traveller’s Tales and WB Interactive released the latest title in their LEGO-themed videogames. “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” was the first Marvel-licensed LEGO videogame made in the wake of the MCU’s cinematic rise. True to form with its sister titles, “LEGO MSH” went with a wide multiplatform release on PC and consoles. It would even get a direct sequel in 2017 (and an MCU Avengers spinoff a year earlier). Back in August LEGO, WB Games and TT hyped old fans with the announcement of a Nintendo Switch port. The wait is over and that promised release has finally come.

The Brick Fan reports that “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” is now available for the Nintendo Switch as of October 5. From the official WB Games press release, the title brings back the 2013 game and its two DLC updates. Players can once again control up to over 100 Marvel characters in their LEGO-fied comic-book iterations. From the Avengers to the X-Men, Fantastic Four to solo heroes, these Marvels come together in an original adventure. Cosmic-level threats converge on the LEGO Marvel world, from Doctor Doom and Loki to Galactus. The various heroes must unite to protect Earth from impending brick-destruction.

“LEGO MSH” on the Switch already comes with DLCs “Super Pack” and “Asgard Pack.” The latter would bring relevant characters closer to their MCU designs. This aesthetic shift would carry over to “LEGO Avengers” (2016) and “LEGO MSH 2” (2017). The latter would also get a first release on the then-new Nintendo Switch hybrid system. If you missed the original and have a Switch, pick up “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” now. It’ll tide you over until “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” arrives in 2022.

New Activity on LEGO Ideas: Brightly-Lit LEGO Star Wars Builds on “Galaxy of Lights”

After covering several 10-K product ideas and featuring a contest or activity, surfing LEGO Ideas is routine now. Only one day remains in the LEGO Harry Potter 20^th Anniversary contest. In the no-prize-but-online-showcase activities page, the “Toy Photography in Rain” got 38 entries.

Speaking of activities, LEGO Ideas put up something new quite recently. And there’s something different with this one. Where past activities discouraged the used of licensed IPs in submitted builds, this one encourages it. In fact, the activity pushes a particularly popular IP for LEGO: “Star Wars.”

For the LEGO Ideas Activity “Galaxy of Lights,” the LEGO Star Wars theme is at center stage. What the Ideas crew is looking for this time are LEGO Star Wars-themed dioramas with integrated lighting. Members interested in participating need only build anything “Star Wars”-related and then light them up. How do they do that? Builders have their own discretion.

Christmas lights, flashlights, LEGO-compatible lighting accessories: just light the set brightly and you meet the objective. With a “bright” theme like the space operatic “Star Wars,” this activity should be cake. Do note that this activity lasts only for a week, ending next Tuesday, October 12. As before, the only prizes the participants get in a LEGO Ideas activity is possibly being featured on social media.

LEGO Puts Up Official Designer Video for Queer Eye – Fab 5 Loft (10291)…Or Part of It

We’re coming close to a full month now since the LEGO Queer Eye – Fab 5 Loft (10291) was introduced. It became available alongside many other sought-after LEGO sets this past October 1. Did we miss anything else with LEGO’s usual promotion practices for key set releases? Yes we did. There’s the official designer video bit.

Here’s The Brick Fan with the scoop on the LEGO Queer Eye – Fab 5 Loft (10291) set designer video. LEGO VP for Design Matthew Ashton plays host for this special look on the set inspired by the Netflix show. Collectors and “Queer Eye” fans know, where this set is concerned, that the designers collaborated closely with the production.

Ashton indeed goes into some detail of that cooperation to get this awesome LEGO set right. Unfortunately LEGO may have had uploading troubles with the vid because it’s incomplete. The footage only runs for three minutes and terminates in mid-speech by Ashton.

Let’s hope LEGO notices and fixes the designer video soon. LEGO Queer Eye – Fab 5 Loft (10291) costs $99.99 and remains available with stock on Shop@Home. The set presents a nicely compressed look at the “headquarters” of the “Queer Eye” makeover team, the Fab 5. Some past reviews pointed out a discrepancy between the building instructions and the set’s box art. Nope, we don’t recommend pulling out the minifigure C-hands from the included alternate torsos/shirts. You’ll just ruin the connections.

~~ADDENDUM: By the time this feature was posted LEGO took down the 10291 designer video. We’ll keep an eye out if the vid is replaced and put up the new one when it’s there.~~

NEW ADDENDUM: LEGO reuploaded the video.

“No Time to Die” 007 Film Release Could See Renewed Interest in Aston Martin DB5 (10262) Before Its Retirement

Last September 30 saw the UK release of “No Time to Die”: the 25^th “James Bond” movie. It was also the fifth and final installment starring actor Daniel Craig. At risk of spoilers, let’s say this film was an ending in more ways than one. And we’re not just talking about Craig’s Bond retiring from duty while a female agent inherits his 007 designation. Now rewind to three years ago, when LEGO released the Creator Expert Aston Martin DB5 (10262). The quintessential 007 vehicle debuted in 1964’s “Goldfinger” during the Sean Connery Days. Craig himself first used it in his third film, “Skyfall” in 2015.

And just as “No Time to Die” became Daniel Craig’s Bond swan song, so is his LEGO DB5 retiring. Brick Fanatics notes that the Creator Expert Aston Martin set (10262) will be retired at the end of 2021. One might see this as a case of the stars aligning or such. The LEGO Aston Martin DB5’s leaving shelves and Shop@Home months after its real-life counterpart’s latest film appearance? It can only be fate. Collectors and “James Bond” fans might soon swarm over any stock of the set out there. The new movie’s also helping LEGO Aston Martin (10262) regain attention.

“No Time to Die” already premiered in the UK. The North American release follows on October 8. LEGO Creator Expert Aston Martin DB5 (10262) still costs $149.99 on LEGO Shop@Home. We recommend to you get one now, before it retires at the end of 2021. Check out this trailer of “No Time to Die” for a shot of the Bond-use DB5 in action, if you need more incentive to buy.

Netflix’s LEGO-Form “Seinfeld” Promo: Teaser of Mini-Build, or Just Another Joke?

Iconic NCB sitcom “Seinfeld” (1989-99) started streaming on Netflix this past Friday, October 1. Earlier in August, LEGO released its Ideas Seinfeld set (21328) celebrating the series’ 30^th anniversary (2019). This was a perfect storm of promotional potential that Netflix used for their “Seinfeld” ad. Released in October 2, it supposedly plugged a new “Seinfeld” series in a LEGO-fied setting. If seeing Jerry Seinfeld in a life-sized minifigure costume didn’t make you laugh, nothing “Seinfeld” will. Towards the end, the video even shilled the LEGO Ideas set…and something else that has fans and collectors curious.

The Brick Fan gives us the lowdown on that Easter egg in Netflix’s Seinfeld LEGO promo. Long story short, towards the end when the LEGO Ideas Seinfeld (21328) was shown, a mini build slides into view (above). Technical similarities can be found with the detached standup stage for Jerry that’s officially part of the set. The difference: it instead depicts the dental office of Tim Whatley, a guest character played by Bryan Cranston. Cranston actually joins Seinfeld himself in the Netflix promo, playing the hammy voiceover appearing in the insets. But a question arises in everyone’s mind: is the Whatley office build a joke? Or does LEGO have more “Seinfeld” coming?

Other than this video, there are no leaks or rumors of another LEGO “Seinfeld” product. Fans of the sitcom might not mind if this was just a red herring. But with the Ideas Seinfeld (21328) getting 5-star customer reviews on Shop@Home, more would be welcome.

LEGO Has New Trailer for April-Premiered “Ninjago” Season 14 “Seabound” (With Set Scenes)

Ninjago stands as an example of a LEGO theme that surpassed its company-predicted shelf life. Well into its first decade, new Ninjago sets continue to come out. As a consequence, its animated adaptation ballooned to double-digit seasons airing on Denmark’s Nickelodeon, Canada’s YTV/Teletoon, and Cartoon Network (US). This year alone saw two “Ninjago” seasons, “The Island” (4-ep) and “Seabound” (16-ep). The latter premiered in Canada back in April, with its tie-in sets debuting later in August. For other territories that have yet to see its premiere, LEGO put up a trailer for “Ninjago: Seabound” Sunday.

Some viewers in North America may already know what goes on in season 14 of “Ninjago.” Thankfully, we can give you a teaser summary if you’re not bothered by spoilers.

“LEGO Ninjago: Seabound” Quick Catch-Up:

Nya, Ninjago Elemental Master of Water, suddenly loses control of her powers, affecting her confidence. While her mom Maya helps her train to regain her form, the Ninjago team discovers an external factor responsible. An energy surge from the deepest point of the Endless Sea may be interfering with Nya’s abilities. In search of answers, our heroes set out on their submarine, Hydro Bounty (71756).

The source of the energy signal: the Temple of the Endless Sea (71755). Here, the merman Prince Kalmaar of Merlopia is finalizing his sinister plans to attack the surface world. If he can gather the two amulets needed, he can awaken a sea serpent to wreck Ninjago City. Nya will need to shape up to face this challenge head on.

Yes, the Ninjago sets mentioned above saw their animated counterparts featured prominently in the trailer, as pointed out by Brick Fanatics. LEGO sure knows how to promote their products. Ninjago fans buying the new “Seabound” sets only prove their methods work. One wonders how the Unity engine microgame contest on LEGO Ideas fits into this.

Amazon UK Lists New LEGO Art Project: Build Together (21226) For Building Tile-Art with Friends

LEGO’s more than just building impressive structures and vehicles/machinery with wonderful moving parts. They lend themselves pretty well to artistic expression too. Look nowhere else for a finer example than the LEGO Art theme. A multitude of multi-colored tiles to stick on a wall-mounted base-frame can result in surprising masterpieces. True, the LEGO Art sets already released have default images to replicate, from Hogwarts logos to celebrities to world maps. But a solo LEGO builder-artist can build these sets alone. Does Art set made for building with friends interest you? Well, LEGO has that covered now.

As covered by Brickset.com, a new LEGO Art set appeared on Amazon UK‘s listings. Say hello to LEGO Art Project: Create Together (21226). At 4,138 pieces this set offers builder-artists the opportunity to create LEGO-tile mosaic art with 36 available patterns. These patterns can be replicated in one of nine baseplates that can combine into larger frames.

Share the baseplates with friends so you can each create artworks. Next, make your own art combinations with baseplates arranged 2×2, 3×2, 4×2 or 3×3. This maximum 3×3 frame can then house a 37^th large round-tile mosaic pattern of the classic LEGO spaceman.

For its versatility, the LEGO Art Project: Create Together (21226) costs about the same as most LEGO Art releases. Amazon UK lists it as £114.99, which might be converted to $117-119 judging from its sister sets. Interestingly, the release date (October 1) indicates that set 21226 is already available in amazon.uk. However the platform says “temporarily out of stock.” Brickset.com believes that LEGO itself might release this November 1 instead.