Leaked Images
Feb. 3rd, 2023 12:05 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
gingerwitch.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
acciobrickInformation has leaked on two possible future HP lego sets. I'll be upfront, I'm a little torn on this post. I'm not a member of the lego ambassadors' network, which means I don't have to follow their rules on leaks and what images can be posted and when. On the other hand, I have a great deal of affection for the brand, so rules aren't always required... I'd like to see lego flourish (& Blotts). But then again, as LJ's Harry Potter lego information source, I find it somewhat obnoxious to make people go looking for content on their own when I happen to have it lying about... Hmm. Ultimately the deciding factors here for me are probably the uncertainty of the information - if I were more confident it's true, I'd be less confident about boosting it - and the fact promobricks has now posted an article on this. Once enough other sources do, you become remiss when you don't. Simple as.
So here's the deal... A few days ago, an individual of no particular standing on the platform one way or another (the account is old, but the activity isn't, typical hallmarks both of a throwaway or a cracked account) posted on one of the lego forums that they'd been part of a lego focus group study as to the potential pricing (and interest) in future sets. This was met with resounding skepticism and the exceedingly common cries of "pix or it didn't happen" and within the last 24 hours a number of heavily watermarked pix were indeed posted to telegra.ph and instagram, and proliferated (some edited to remove those watermarks), many of which have since been taken down, and more of which are likely to follow. Since the release of the pix, rather typically the claims are being taken far more seriously. (Something that amuses me when I consider the things we got up to at uni. This would not be even a high effort prank, and it's doable from the comfort of home at no cost other than time. Just saying.) So to be clear, at best I consider it an indication of possible truth and not a definitive corroboration.
They claim to have been permitted to select from amongst a variety of sets, roughly fifty in total, in a number of themes, and that many of these were sets that had already been released, perhaps as an effort to norm the person's assessments against known information. They selected sets they thought others might be interested in, more so than sets they personally liked, because they thought the information would be appreciated and additionally they were trying to lobby with their selection for sets they thought fandom might want. (In short, they were complete rubbish as a focus group member. lol) They were then shown pictures of these sets and asked what they'd consider paying for them.
And as said, they now seem to have posted those photos. (As it was done on a different platform and username, it could still be a third party.)
I'll preface this by saying we don't know the information provided is true (people lie for a host of reasons), and if true, we don't know that it is correct (lego could have used stand ins for their planned sets), and even if it were, we don't know that these will ever hit the shelves (lego can always decide against the release of a set based on how it fares in studies such as these). I'll also point out the discrepancies between the 2018 toy fair photos of the Great Hall and the actual set which hit the stores less than six months later. (see below) At that point I'd expect them to have a better idea of what they're going to release, so I have to wonder if those variations aren't deliberate, perhaps in an effort to curb knock offs. Eight quick differences of note (aside from colour & sticker changes), the Great Hall was originally longer, the handrail was better (making prolific use of two new arch pieces), the Pepper Pot was included as was a small extra tower to the right side of the main one, the height on the remaining mid-size turrets was reduced, and there was a play feature to turn the dining tables into a duelling platform which meant the whole build was raised as well and there were steps down to the quay.
Above, 2018 New York Toy Fair photos from Brothers Brick
Above, Lego's 2018 Harry Potter 75954 Hogwarts Great Hall released 01 Aug, 2018
So with those caveats in mind... From the Harry Potter theme, there were two as yet unreleased sets in the study, only one of which could be from this year according to the information we currently have. It's more likely they would both be from 2024. If so, this is the furthest in advance such information has leaked to my knowledge.
There is to be a buildable Sorting Hat and a larger and more complete version of the Burrow, and as to descriptions, I'll quote the leaker, JeanGreyForever from eurobricks:
The Burrow
"The Burrow set is 2388 pieces and will be released in a price range of $200-325, probably $250. It measures 20 inches/50 cm high. It looks a lot more detailed and better than the previous two Burrow sets imo although the design still seems preliminary. There are 9 minifigures depicted but they all have generic white bodies and faceless heads and there's no description as to which minifigures they are. The only thing that distinguishes the figures is that they have specific hairpieces. I don't see a Harry but there is a Hermione because she's got her trademark brown hairpiece. Every other minifigure has red hair so I'm guessing Hermione is the only non-Weasley included. I can tell that one of them is definitely Molly, one is Ron, and two are Fred and George. That leaves four other red-headed characters who I can't tell but I'm guessing they would probably include Arthur, Ginny, and Percy. There's nothing about the set that seems themed to Half-Blood Prince so I'm assuming it's based more on the Chamber of Secrets. The image I saw was only of the exterior so I have no idea what the interior looks like except that the description of the set mentions dishes that wash themselves.
Describing what I see in the set, it doesn't appear to be Deathly Hallows-themed to me. Keep in mind the image I have only shows me the exterior of the Burrow and the minifigures are essentially blanks only recognizable by hairpieces. But there's no blonde minifigure so it doesn't appear there's a Fleur. Also I would imagine any set themed to Bill and Fleur's wedding would feature the tent from the movie and there's no tent mentioned or pictured. I would reckon the set is more themed towards Chamber of Secrets although the inclusion of Hermione instead of Harry is curious."
To that I'll add that I can't picture lego releasing the set as is, the chimney alone will. not. happen, but again, consider the toy fair photos. Even when they officially present something, it doesn't mean it's the final version.
The Sorting Hat
"The brick-built Sorting Hat I saw was priced to be $100 and it stands on a base. There was no description for this so I don't know if it has any specific features like if the eyes or mouth can move. However, it's quite impressive looking and would make for a good display especially along with the previous Hogwarts Icons set. I know that set wasn't very popular on here so I'm assuming people will feel likewise about this."
And that's about it for this theme. One other minor point of interest: years ago, the mould for the goat broke, there hasn't been a goat figure in a lego set since 2011, and one will sell for upwards of 75 EUR on bricklink. The photos for a medieval village leaked as well, and in it we do in fact see the long awaited return of the goat. For Harry Potter fans this is relevant in as much as some of us are hoping to eventually see Aberforth Dumbledore with his Patronus. Or just a goat, for that matter. We aren't picky. 😉 (<- That's a lie, we're dreadful.)
So here's the deal... A few days ago, an individual of no particular standing on the platform one way or another (the account is old, but the activity isn't, typical hallmarks both of a throwaway or a cracked account) posted on one of the lego forums that they'd been part of a lego focus group study as to the potential pricing (and interest) in future sets. This was met with resounding skepticism and the exceedingly common cries of "pix or it didn't happen" and within the last 24 hours a number of heavily watermarked pix were indeed posted to telegra.ph and instagram, and proliferated (some edited to remove those watermarks), many of which have since been taken down, and more of which are likely to follow. Since the release of the pix, rather typically the claims are being taken far more seriously. (Something that amuses me when I consider the things we got up to at uni. This would not be even a high effort prank, and it's doable from the comfort of home at no cost other than time. Just saying.) So to be clear, at best I consider it an indication of possible truth and not a definitive corroboration.
They claim to have been permitted to select from amongst a variety of sets, roughly fifty in total, in a number of themes, and that many of these were sets that had already been released, perhaps as an effort to norm the person's assessments against known information. They selected sets they thought others might be interested in, more so than sets they personally liked, because they thought the information would be appreciated and additionally they were trying to lobby with their selection for sets they thought fandom might want. (In short, they were complete rubbish as a focus group member. lol) They were then shown pictures of these sets and asked what they'd consider paying for them.
And as said, they now seem to have posted those photos. (As it was done on a different platform and username, it could still be a third party.)
I'll preface this by saying we don't know the information provided is true (people lie for a host of reasons), and if true, we don't know that it is correct (lego could have used stand ins for their planned sets), and even if it were, we don't know that these will ever hit the shelves (lego can always decide against the release of a set based on how it fares in studies such as these). I'll also point out the discrepancies between the 2018 toy fair photos of the Great Hall and the actual set which hit the stores less than six months later. (see below) At that point I'd expect them to have a better idea of what they're going to release, so I have to wonder if those variations aren't deliberate, perhaps in an effort to curb knock offs. Eight quick differences of note (aside from colour & sticker changes), the Great Hall was originally longer, the handrail was better (making prolific use of two new arch pieces), the Pepper Pot was included as was a small extra tower to the right side of the main one, the height on the remaining mid-size turrets was reduced, and there was a play feature to turn the dining tables into a duelling platform which meant the whole build was raised as well and there were steps down to the quay.
Above, 2018 New York Toy Fair photos from Brothers Brick
Above, Lego's 2018 Harry Potter 75954 Hogwarts Great Hall released 01 Aug, 2018
So with those caveats in mind... From the Harry Potter theme, there were two as yet unreleased sets in the study, only one of which could be from this year according to the information we currently have. It's more likely they would both be from 2024. If so, this is the furthest in advance such information has leaked to my knowledge.
There is to be a buildable Sorting Hat and a larger and more complete version of the Burrow, and as to descriptions, I'll quote the leaker, JeanGreyForever from eurobricks:
The Burrow
"The Burrow set is 2388 pieces and will be released in a price range of $200-325, probably $250. It measures 20 inches/50 cm high. It looks a lot more detailed and better than the previous two Burrow sets imo although the design still seems preliminary. There are 9 minifigures depicted but they all have generic white bodies and faceless heads and there's no description as to which minifigures they are. The only thing that distinguishes the figures is that they have specific hairpieces. I don't see a Harry but there is a Hermione because she's got her trademark brown hairpiece. Every other minifigure has red hair so I'm guessing Hermione is the only non-Weasley included. I can tell that one of them is definitely Molly, one is Ron, and two are Fred and George. That leaves four other red-headed characters who I can't tell but I'm guessing they would probably include Arthur, Ginny, and Percy. There's nothing about the set that seems themed to Half-Blood Prince so I'm assuming it's based more on the Chamber of Secrets. The image I saw was only of the exterior so I have no idea what the interior looks like except that the description of the set mentions dishes that wash themselves.
Describing what I see in the set, it doesn't appear to be Deathly Hallows-themed to me. Keep in mind the image I have only shows me the exterior of the Burrow and the minifigures are essentially blanks only recognizable by hairpieces. But there's no blonde minifigure so it doesn't appear there's a Fleur. Also I would imagine any set themed to Bill and Fleur's wedding would feature the tent from the movie and there's no tent mentioned or pictured. I would reckon the set is more themed towards Chamber of Secrets although the inclusion of Hermione instead of Harry is curious."
To that I'll add that I can't picture lego releasing the set as is, the chimney alone will. not. happen, but again, consider the toy fair photos. Even when they officially present something, it doesn't mean it's the final version.
The Sorting Hat
"The brick-built Sorting Hat I saw was priced to be $100 and it stands on a base. There was no description for this so I don't know if it has any specific features like if the eyes or mouth can move. However, it's quite impressive looking and would make for a good display especially along with the previous Hogwarts Icons set. I know that set wasn't very popular on here so I'm assuming people will feel likewise about this."
And that's about it for this theme. One other minor point of interest: years ago, the mould for the goat broke, there hasn't been a goat figure in a lego set since 2011, and one will sell for upwards of 75 EUR on bricklink. The photos for a medieval village leaked as well, and in it we do in fact see the long awaited return of the goat. For Harry Potter fans this is relevant in as much as some of us are hoping to eventually see Aberforth Dumbledore with his Patronus. Or just a goat, for that matter. We aren't picky. 😉 (<- That's a lie, we're dreadful.)
(no subject)
Date: 2023-02-04 03:32 am (UTC)