TMNT done?

kor

I just seen that MB is doing a TMNT line in 2016. I wasn't sure if the line was over with LEGO but after seeing this I'm assuming it is?

http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticlemobile.jsp?id=3750286

piratemania7

Yup

kor

^That stinks. I was still holding out hope for some "Classic" sets :(

dragon114

so tmt is going back to mb. that sucks. still need to get all the tmt figs

Drmnez

Hmm I was contemplating whether or not to still my series 1 TMNT MFs. Might hang onto them now.

Decisions... Decisions

CCC

In a way I see it as a good thing. If lego don't continue their popular licensed themes, they'll get snapped up by someone else. Now is LOTR popular enough for one of the clones? Probably not, but here's hoping. I would be up for switching out minifigure parts if they came up with compatible helmets and shields, and so on.

It is not like lego hasn't done it to other brands in the past.

Shib

The problem with that theory is that most of the clone brands that have taken up previous Lego licences are not generally minifigure compatible, so even if say MB bought out the IP for LOTR we wouldn't minifigure compatible helmets, we'd likely get the weird mini action figure types they did with the assassins creed line.

Xefan

CCC said:

In a way I see it as a good thing. If lego don't continue their popular licensed themes, they'll get snapped up by someone else. Now is LOTR popular enough for one of the clones? Probably not, but here's hoping.

If Halo, Doctor Who and Call of Duty are popular enough for clones I don't see why LotR wouldn't be.

But there's also other factors of course, now the films are done do the studios even care about trying to merchandise it anymore if they've now moved onto the next thing to fill up shelf space with merchandise instead? I don't think the estate has rights until they expire with the studios.

It may be the Lego even still holds an exclusive license on the theme for some years to come even if it does nothing with them.

That's the joy of the world of IP. I think there's a lot of clone themes out there that have far smaller fanbases than LotR, but I don't think that's going to be the key deciding factor in all honesty.

CCC

Shib said:

The problem with that theory is that most of the clone brands that have taken up previous Lego licences are not generally minifigure compatible, so even if say MB bought out the IP for LOTR we wouldn't minifigure compatible helmets, we'd likely get the weird mini action figure types they did with the assassins creed line.

Yes, but even if the heads look OK (eg a nice Witch King head/helmet or similar for Sauron) I would have no problems pulling it off, drilling a new hole and sticking it on a lego minifigure.

Shib

So you don't even necessarily need them to be construction toys ;-) I don't think I've seen anything else LOTR done similar scale to mini figures but there might already be something out there.

CCC

I have scoured toy shops and ebay for similar things. The closest seem to be chess pieces from those build-a-collection type magazines, but they are (i) made of lead and (ii) too expensive (£20 a go). There are some action figures, but too big.

Chewybricks

How do you know Tmnt is going to MB? Been a long time fan of Lego (+30 years), but got to say MB has really stepped their game up. Their new super-poseable figures are quite superior to the Lego minifig. Lego figs have extremely limited articulation compared to those of the MB assassin creed line, so to say that those figs are weird, in actuality, lego figs are weird. We are just used to them since we've known them all our lives.

It is unfortuante that Lego helmets and MB are not compatible. Lego needs to set up their figs!

Chewybricks

Actually hope MB picks up LOTR

timt

I was talking with some of my LUG members and the rate at which the LEGO and MegaBlocks are trading off doing licenses (TMNT. Spiderman, Thomas etc.) is alarming. Is this normal that a line would be in production with one company only to loose it a year later?

monkyby87

I don't know if it's normal, but I think the other companies see that the brand was popular and has possibility, so they scoop it up as fast as they can. I think they're happy to get the sloppy seconds so to speak, and don't want to waste anytime after the Lego versions are done. If they wait too long interest may disappear.

juggles7

Spongebob's been picked up by a clone brand, too, if I'm not mistaken

EddieDoesntMind

juggles7 said:

Spongebob's been picked up by a clone brand, too, if I'm not mistaken

Yep, that was also MB.

thehornedrat

I have a hunch TMNT wasn't as popular as LEGO would like it to be. Its still popular, but not enough. The expensive prices are a big reason too though.

monkyby87

You have the cartoon, which while popular, doesn't necessarily command its own line of Lego, and the recent movie wasn't all that popular either. It was a neat run, but not enough longevity.

ReesesPieces

You can only create so many variations or facial expressions of the same four turtles so this might be for the best.

monkyby87

And there are only so many set ideas...they don't have a massive list of ships or vehicles to work with, and you can't keep redoing the sewer playset.

juggles7

What are the best sets from the current line, as far as being fun to build?  I don't own any of them, but I'm thinking maybe I'd better not wait too long, since I'm already seeing them being discounted.  Any positive recommendations? 

tamamahm

monkyby87 said:

You have the cartoon, which while popular, doesn't necessarily command its own line of Lego, and the recent movie wasn't all that popular either. It was a neat run, but not enough longevity.

Right. The movie wasn't very popular. Out here, there is no buzz at the school about it. My kiddo has negative interest in any of the sets. While TMNT was a huge thing back in the 80s, I don't feel it got any traction this go around. 

eggshen

Kids are funny. I have a six year old that LOVES this theme. He watches the show religiously, wants all the sets, all the action figures, all the dress up toys, and is having his second TMNT themed birthday party this year. He can't get enough of them and has his friends liking them too. 
Not bad for a some characters that were actually created as a spoof of some popular comics of the 80's. Kowabunga!

xiahna

Its one of those things that unfortunately happens. I love TMNT but didn't think that many of the sets I saw here (Aussi land) were all that appealing. But then again I probably don't fall into their target audience. I find it a little weird that they would give up this early tho. Guess that's just the throw away society we live in. :(

batdude3

I used to work in the Comic Industry, and have sold collectible toys for years. I mention this cause I have witnessed something about Tmnt for years that is recurring. Tmnt have honestly never been that popular in my years of seeing them like people think since they were released in the 80's. They were popular back in the late 80's, and early 90's which was the high time for them. But it seems since then there has been effort, after effort to make them as popular as they were many years ago, and it never happens. The creators sold Tmnt to Mtv years ago, and Mtv paid 1 mill for I recall.  The last 10 years I've seen different cartoons for them with action figure released. And every time it's same thing Tmnt will be popular for a  little while, but then after a little time passes it seems people either grow out of it, or move on to something else. The first Tmnt comics have been worth the same amount for years now. Which is like $500.00 for the first Tmnt comic.  I have vintage Tmnt toys from the 80's and 90's. I'd have to give them away to sell them. Hope I don't sound negative, as I'm a fan of Tmnt stuff as well. But it's no surprise if the Tmnt stuff didn't catch on as it never does, and that's just the barometer for Tmnt. Tmnt doesn't have the fan base that Star Wars, Batman, and even Lord of the Rings has to keep it going. For years now toylines, and popular things from the 80's are brought back to make money only. The companies whom make them (not referring to Lego whom simply license themes) do nothing to improve characters or make them more appealing, and interesting. It's seems its more like "how fast can we throw something together and make a profit attitude in the Industry." There is no concept, or substance behind the characters which is why I feel they fail, and these toys are hyped because they were popular ages ago. You can take two very popular characters like Wolverine, and Batman and put them into a story, but if there is no concept behind it, it's not going to sell very well. To me the creativity behind more popular things is what sells them. Now it's just a bunch of Wall street guys looking for a quick pay day. I do enjoy seeing all the stuff I grew up with being released again to a younger generation.

ReesesPieces

All is is too bad.  I've watched several episodes of the new turtles show with my son and they are very adult friendly with their humor.  The lego sets on the other hand are not very appealing although the movie truck and the movie turtle van sets were fun builds.

MrJ_NY

I stayed away from the sets since my grandson got plenty of TMNT action figures his last birthday.I ended up recently buying #79115 Turtle Van Takedown for $19.00 and #79118  Karai Bike Escape for $4.99 on clearance so now I'm on the hunt for a #79101 Shredder's Dragon Bike so he'll at least have 1 of each Turtle.Other than that the sets don't look much to write home about ;)