Predictions for upcoming sets

SearchlightRG

So given that we know the plans of various big movie studios with licensed Lego themes for a number of years in advance, I was thinking it might be interesting to discuss what we anticipate in the way of future sets. Predictions for other themes work to-those just seem a bit more conjectural since our knowledge of future plans for such themes as Ninjago is fairly limited. That being said, I anticipate the following:

Marvel Cinematic Universe

• At least one set based on Ant-Man and the Wasp. Will presumably include a new Scott Lang/Ant-Man figure, a Hope van Dyne/Wasp figure, and a Ghost figure, and depict a battle between the three if not the climax of the film. If a second set is produced, I could see it depicting another fight and potentially including Janet van Dyne, the original Wasp.
• One or more sets based on Captain Marvel; likely figures to include Carol Danvers, possibly in civilian and/or Captain Marvel attire, and various Skrull minifigures.
• Four-six sets (going off the previous films) based on Avengers 4, presumably depicting various battle/action sequences as we've seen previously. While we might see new variants of Iron Man and others from Infinity War, I foresee/would hope that new variants/releases of War Machine, Mantis, Drax the Destroyer, Wasp, Ant-Man, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, the Hulk, Nebula, and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier are a possibility. New characters or alter egos that seem plausible are Supergiant (given that she's the only Cult Obsidian member missing from the current Infinity War line) and Pepper Potts as Rescue, her armored incarnation.
• One or more sets based on the next Spider-Man: Homecoming installment. Hard to make many predictions given that we know so little about it; presumably a new Spider-Man variant and one or more bad guys. It's probably pure fantasy for me to hope that Hobgoblin will be the villain and that Mark Hamill will reprise his old animation role.
• Presumably three sets (going off the previous films) based on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Again, it's a bit soon to predict much, other than the possibility of Adam Warlock and Stakar Ogord figures given that the last film apparently set up their appearance in future installments.
• Various additional sets, drawing inspiration from the comics or the various Marvel live action/animated television series currently underway. Anything recently acquired by Disney from Fox seems like a hard guess until we find out what exactly their plans are.

DC Extended Universe

• At least one set based on Aquaman (Wonder Woman got one so it would make sense). Presumably we'd get a new Aquaman, Orm/Ocean Master, Black Manta, and maybe Mera, Murk, and/or Nereus; I'd imagine some villainous goons are also a possibility.
• At least one set based on Shazam!, most likely featuring figures of Billy Batson, Shazam, and Dr. Sivanna if not any other characters.
  
• At least one set based on Wonder Woman 2, undoubtedly with a new Wonder Woman variant, a figure of her unidentified new love interest, and a depiction of her as yet undisclosed nemesis/nemeses.
• At least one set each for Cyborg, Green Lantern Corps., Batgirl, The Batman, and various other announced/planned films. Currently we know so little that all that can really be anticipated is new variants of Cyborg and other Justice League members who have previously appeared; possible a new variant of Deathstroke from The Batman; and some new characters including Black Adam from the anticipated film of the same name, new Green Lantern(s), and the Thomas Wayne Batman from the planned film Flashpoint.

Other

• Undoubtedly a whole slew of sets based on The Lego Movie Sequel, undoubtedly with new versions of Emmet, Wyldstyle, and other characters from the franchise as well as any new additions. The Billion Brick Race will undoubtedly have several sets to its name as well, most of them undoubtedly based on one or more of the vehicles that will presumably be involved in the plot; can't really say anything on the characters yet.
• Several sets based on Jurassic World 3, unless Fallen Kingdom is somehow bad enough to tank the franchise.
• Potentially at least one set based on Pirates of the Carribean 6...probably a ship.
• Potentially at least one set based on Indiana Jones 5.
• Undoubtedly a number of sets based on previous and future Star Wars films, and probably The Clone Wars given it's continued popularity. Rebels...not looking as likely.
• Various Disney Princess sets, especially based on the upcoming Frozen 2.

That's pretty much what I've got at this point, based on previous and/or current themes and what we know of upcoming ones. Disney, Warner, and other companies have various things in the works, but of course it's hard to say whether they'll make their way into Lego themes or not.

MAGNINOMINISUMBRA

Your list looks pretty solid (and bloody extensive)!
  In fact, when I look at this, it just reinforces my fears that LEGO is becoming so 'IP centric' that they're losing sight of the overall aim of the system and it's simply becoming a minifig chase scenario.  Admittedly, that may bring in options for well priced part packs after selling off figs but I still feel we're losing something.
  Mind you, I AM excited to see what set options TLG offers for its own forays into other entertainment mediums and I'll probably be all over Indy 5 as well.

CCC

MAGNINOMINISUMBRA said:

  In fact, when I look at this, it just reinforces my fears that LEGO is becoming so 'IP centric' that they're losing sight of the overall aim of the system and it's simply becoming a minifig chase scenario. 

I'm not so sure, as the list necessarily misses out any in-house themes as we won't know where they are going.

For example:

City - there will be police and fire sets, then other sub-themed sets (such as Forest Police, Arctic, Jungle, etc in the past).
Friends - there will be more Heartlake sets, probably another shop/cafe, some small vehicles, probably another house of some sort.
Creator - there will be small 3-in-1 vehicles and animals, plus some larger sets for bigger vehicles and probably some sort of building.
Technic - the will be small plane/helicopter type sets aimed at kids, larger sets aimed at a more mature audience.

Then Ninjago, etc. similar but slightly different to what has gone before.

MAGNINOMINISUMBRA

^ Entirely correct.  There's also the modular and Creator expert lines and Architecture which have been churning out some gold and, if we're honest, is probably subsidised in the grand scheme of things BY all the licensed stuff.  I just can't get away from the fact that the Quinjets seem to get smaller each generation, as do the Milanos and the supplementary builds across the licensed lines seem to be getting lazier and lazier (the new Lukes Training set comes straight to mind).
  I'm probably being a bit of a grumpy, old, nostalgic man.

Boardshorts85

Images of the 6 Infinity Wars sets have leaked online and are currently making the rounds on Instagram.

The rest of your summation looks to be pretty strong.  I'll echo that the heavy lean on licensed sets is disappointing.  There's large swaths of the LEGO aisle / LEGO Store that I just bypass completely.  I love Star Wars as much as the next guy, but I'm just not interested in the LEGO offerings.

I'll continue to focus on the Creator/Creator Expert lines, with a few City sets thrown in for context.

Mr_Cross

I'm going to go ahead and predict a return of Classic Space. Based purely on news that the Lego Movie sequel was going to be set in space. I don't necessarily believe it, or have evidence for it, I'd just like it, it would make me really happy to see the theme back on the shelves! In fact, I'd like to see Classic Castle come back again too, but that really is just "wish-listing".

tmgm528

@Mr_Cross Not so sure on the return of classic space specifically - but a pure space theme seems really likely to me. The last pure space theme was Galaxy Squad back in 2013. 5 years!

CCC

I'd hope for Neo-Classic Space. A lot has changed since then.

HugeYellowBrick

Is anyone else simply bored of all these movie tie-ins? Can we not have more sets that are fun to build?

Astrobricks

Doesn’t the Friends line have an amusement park sub-theme going? Seems like there will be more along those lines.

And @Boardshorts85, maybe you’re not as into SW as the next guy as you think you are :)

redarmy

My prediction is that they will be too expensive..

Astrobricks

HugeYellowBrick said:

Is anyone else simply bored of all these movie tie-ins? Can we not have more sets that are fun to build?

I like some movie tie-ins, and not others. If I don't like it, that’s a bunch of sets I’m not tempted to buy. And just because it’s a licensed theme doesn’t mean it’s not fun to build.

SearchlightRG

Boardshorts85 said:

Images of the 6 Infinity Wars sets have leaked online and are currently making the rounds on Instagram.

I am aware of them, as well as the Solo: A Star Wars story and other Star Wars sets due for later this year. This was essentially an effort to guess at what we might expect to see in the future and don’t already have an idea is coming.

ggfile

My prediction (and hope):

Being this is LEGO's 60th Anniversary, I am predicting that LEGO will re-release at least one old set from each line. I am hoping each of the 4 models veing given away in 40290 will be re-released as full size models. If so, I will be picking up the re-release of 6285 Black Seas Barracuda

Darth_Jar_Jar

Atleast 4 more helicopters 

Altair

Assuming the upcoming Amazon Lord of the Rings TV shows is a success, I am optimistically expecting to see a new line of Lego LOTR sets  :-)

Oldfan

ggfile said:

My prediction (and hope):

Being this is LEGO's 60th Anniversary, I am predicting that LEGO will re-release at least one old set from each line. I am hoping each of the 4 models veing given away in 40290 will be re-released as full size models. If so, I will be picking up the re-release of 6285 Black Seas Barracuda

I predict that we'll have to be satisfied with 40290...

CCC

Altair said:

Assuming the upcoming Amazon Lord of the Rings TV shows is a success, I am optimistically expecting to see a new line of Lego LOTR sets  :-)

I'm not sure. I don't think there have been any other Amazon or Netflix tie-ins so far, I guess as most of the good stuff is aimed at adults. Of course, as the streamers grow they might become as important as movies to LEGO, but who knows.

Altair

CCC said:

I'm not sure. I don't think there have been any other Amazon or Netflix tie-ins so far, I guess as most of the good stuff is aimed at adults. Of course, as the streamers grow they might become as important as movies to LEGO, but who knows.

That's right, Lego has unfortunately not been interested so far in shows like Game of Thrones, because although highly successful they were adult-rated. But if Amazon is clever enough to produce LOTR series watchable by children (or at least by teenagers), then I seriously think there is a chance.

MaffyD

Apparently the license-holders for LotR had some strict rules about what they could and couldn't show as part of a TV programme, and sex and violence were a couple of the no-go areas. So, maybe...

But I'm not getting my hopes up.

Also not getting my hopes up for Neo-Classic Space, but there's a special place in my head reserved just for the tiny little voice that says "LL-928, you are cleared for take-off. Please proceed to interstellar jump-gate 9."

CCC

Altair said:

But if Amazon is clever enough to produce LOTR series watchable by children (or at least by teenagers), then I seriously think there is a chance.

I suppose it depends on what they want from the series. If they want to make money from toys and other merchandise then it makes sense to make it appeal to children. Whereas if they want to make money from people signing up to amazon prime to be able to watch it, then they ought to concentrate on making it appeal to adults, who would be the ones signing up to prime. I imagine they want to use it for the latter. If I  didn't have prime, I'm not sure I'd sign up for a show aimed at kids.

pharmjod

I think you can make an excellent series that doesn't have sex scenes and gratuitous violence. Those are usually hallmarks of lazy writing or lazy audiences or both. Game of thrones would be just as compelling with out graphic nudity and violence.

CCC

Excellence doesn't always get viewers though. And that will be what Amazon wants. Not just viewers but new subscribers. I really enjoyed MANH(A)TTAN, and it got great critical reviews yet it was cancelled due to poor ratings.

Fauch

redarmy said:

My prediction is that they will be too expensive..

the 1000 sets barrier per year will be broken in a few years, there will be more sets over 5000 pieces, total cost of all D2C sets in a year will go above 4000€

Astrobricks

I think it’s about time for a new City tower crane.

Fizyx

Astrobricks said:

I think it’s about time for a new City tower crane.

I don't get a lot of city sets, but a new tower crane would be a yes from me.

MAGNINOMINISUMBRA

Astrobricks said:

I think it’s about time for a new City tower crane.

Mark me down for two or three...

SearchlightRG

Got a prediction for something we WON'T be getting, most likely: sets based on Sony's upcoming Venom film, which is apparently aiming for an R-rating along the lines of Deadpool. Apart from the rating, I don't know if Disney and Sony's whole deal with the Spider-Man franchise plays into the licensing of Lego sets. Leaves me similarly uncertain about the Silver (Sable) & Black (Cat) film that's supposed to come out next year.

gmonkey76

^Probably won't get sets for an R rated film, but don't be surprised if we get the characters in Spider-Man sets. We didn't get Suicide Squad sets, but we did get most of the Minifigures in Batman sets. With the R rating it might be a different story, and there might be a waiting period for them. 

Lyichir

Since this list is, by necessity, license heavy, I might as well try to contribute some predictions/speculation for a few non-licensed themes.

Assuming (and deeply, deeply hoping) that Elves continues for another year or more, there are definitely some things I might expect to see appear. The Netflix series confirms the existence of mermaids in Elvendale, which would both be easy to feature in sets (since a mini-doll mermaid tail mold already exists thanks to Disney Princess) and distinct enough to potentially make for the centerpiece of an entire year's story (since it'd open up all sorts of opportunities for new underwater settings and creatures, especially if it features mermaid variants of the main characters as well). It's always hard for me to judge how popular Elves is in general, though, since for the most part its target audience has less overlap with typical AFOL demographics than those of the many "boy themes", making it hard for me to get much of a bead on its potential longevity.

Ninjago offers any number of possibilities (since the scope of that theme covers everything from historical fantasy to sci-fi and everything in between), so it's hard to make any predictions there. A part of me hopes that at some point we may see a remake of the four-headed Ultra Dragon from 2012 (like the updated versions of the Ultra Sonic Raider and Destiny's Bounty that we've gotten in recent years), but I don't know how likely that actually is—if we were going to get one, you would think this summer's dragon-heavy summer wave would be the prime opportunity, but so far we haven't seen any indication of any such thing.

For City (which I'm not a huge fan of, but am pretty aware of as far as sets are concerned), the scope has been increasing, but apart from new "exploration" themes and the mainstays of Fire and Police, it's also been quite a long time since we had a dedicated farm wave—I'd reckon seeing that sub-theme return at some point in the future is a fairly safe bet, though predicting it exactly is a tougher proposition.

I don't follow the Friends story all that closely, but even if I did, the recent refresh seems like it might change things up (including what sort of subjects we're likely to see in Heartlake City) pretty substantially. The subjects we've gotten so far this year have been much more "City-like" in their subject matter than many previous waves, not to mention Ghostbusters-esque (with a "mission vehicle" packed with equipment and a new headquarters made from an old firehouse). As such, I would be less surprised than before to see more classic City subjects like police and firefighters show up, though I don't expect them to become a dominant part of the theme the way they are in City.

I expect some sort of new Castle theme to show up soon after Nexo Knights ends (which seems likely to be next year). Most likely a more "traditional" Castle theme than Nexo Knights, but there's really no telling. Nexo Knights' end might also open up the potential for a new Space theme, though in that case the dominance of the Star Wars theme might still make those few and far between. If we do get a non-licensed Space theme, expect it to be brighter and more colorful than Star Wars and its associated vehicles tend to be.

SearchlightRG

@gmonkey76 I was thinking we might end up with something like that. It'd be nice if we could get a comics-based set with a Venom big-fig; his current minifigure versions just don't convey the hulking body type I tend to think of when I think of Venom.

I definitely like your thoughts @Lyichir; while it's hard to know for sure, I think you've made some pretty good predictions. A new Ultra Dragon would be a cool touch; the fact that the next wave doesn't look to include it is disappointing, though I suppose something is always possible further down the road. Personally I'd love to see set versions of Garmdon's mech and the Overlord Dragon from season 2, but that seems far less likely than a new Ultra Dragon model.

Given the sheer scale of the thing, I would imagine that if we ever see a Lego version of the Supremacy from Star Wars VIII, it will probably be part of the Ultimate Collector's Series.

Fizyx

With the small size of the Nexo Knights roll out in the last wave, and the complete lack of any information from the rest of the year (not even any set numbers) as well as the almost complete lack of any Nexo Knights in the recently leaked catalog, I have a feeling that we may have seen the last of the new Nexo Knights sets.  I wouldn't be surprised if the whole theme is retired by the end of this year, although I could see it starting to be phased out heavily even before that to make room for new sets.  Maybe I'll be able to get my Knighton Castle as a serious discount soon... <.<

The_Rancor

^ Nexo Knights haven't even gone out for wide release in the UK with the 2018 January wave, which indicates a lack of faith and/or sales going forward. It was a bit of a telltale sign when most of the first wave stock sold well whilst the Stone Monster themed wave still seems to be languishing in shelves. They should've gone straight onto the Vampiric wave last year! 

To repeat what has now become a cliche - I hope this means we will have 'normal' Castle or Space again - we have to get our sword/armour fix and neon element fix from somewhere! I did effectively try to 'pitch' an idea for a story-driven theme to the designers on my Inside Tour last year and it was well received, but probably a little far out in Lego terms. Still, I'd like to see something more unusual and sci-fi based as a story driven/Big Bang theme in the future. Exo Force set the bar pretty high before television shows were commonplace like Ninjago and Nexo Knights.

SumoLego

No Time Cruisers revival?

BrickByBrick

SumoLego said:

No Time Cruisers revival?

When that happens there will be no warning. It will be Lego designers who travel back from the future with their newly designed time cruisers sets that they designed in the future to prevent Lepin from being able to produce them before their official launch.

SearchlightRG

While there's been nothing confirmed as yet, I would imagine that some sequels to Doctor Strange and Black Panther will be forthcoming, and undoubtedly/hopefully there will be some attendant Lego sets, at least one or two apiece based on what's been released for the first film of each series. Hopefully Doctor Strange will give us the opportunity to get Wong and Dormammu, if not Kaecillius and other characters as well; Nightmare has been suggested as a potential future villain. It's a bit soon to be making predictions about Black Panther sequels, though Everett Ross and M'Baku are a couple characters yet to be featured in sets despite both featuring in Black Panther, Ross' appearance in Civil War, and M'Baku's apparent inclusion in Infinity War. Also, given that Mac Gargan was apparently in Spider-Man Homecoming, Scorpion seems like a possibility.

Toc13

I'm predicting a new Friend - Chloe.
There's an app much like Subway Surfers with a Friends theme & a limited time unlockable character is a blonde with pink highlights by that name

FowlerBricks

I predict that there will be new sets within the next few months. ;)

MattPetersen

I love the prediction of a Shazam and Green Lantern Corps based set.
Would love more alien Green Lanterns, and Guy Gardner. 

The_Rancor

How about some speculative ideas to throw out there for January 2019, seeing as we know what's coming up for much of the summer this year:

- City - Likely - Forest Fire brigade
- City - I would like - Harbour theme with focus on boats and marinas
- New Big Bang theme - to take the mantle from Nexo Knights, probably going to need to somewhat avoid the same type of tech, mechs and Far-Eastern inspired Ninjago
- Lego Movie 2 sets - obviously, surely with release in January if the film releases in February
- Technic - I would like - a large plane with working engines, rudder and air brakes, plus other working features wherever possible. Plus, a functioning combine harvester
- Technic - Likely - more licensed cars, trucks and bikes
- Marvel - possibly a wave of 3 sets from Captain Marvel. Some X-Men sets (although with licensing this might not happen 'properly' until 2020)
- DC could throw up Shazam sets, but more likely churn out more obscure Bat-vehicles with Batman in every set
- Star Wars - I would like - any vehicle so far unreleased from the Prequels, Rogue One, Rebels, Ep. VII or VIII
- Star Wars - Likely - a mixture of yet more remakes of vehicles we already had multiple times, with random vehicles like Grevious' speeder bike that we never knew we wanted.

Brixfan02

can we get a new castle theme over here?

SumoLego

Yeah - Nexo Knights, wave four...

Astrobricks

New tower crane.

Waterjedi17

I imagine we'll probably get some 20th anniversary sets for Star Wars next year, right? The 10th anniversary sets we got were OT sets with 1999 box art so I imagine we'll get something along those lines? Plus the standard sequel trilogy sets of course.
I think Solo sets should run their course though after the 3 summer sets come out, since Rogue One only got two waves of sets. 

560Heliport

I'm hoping #75218 X-wing is a Rogue One Blue Squadron fighter! Has anyone seen any pictures, or is it just a set number so far?

Bumblepants

560Heliport said:

I'm hoping #75218 X-wing is a Rogue One Blue Squadron fighter! Has anyone seen any pictures, or is it just a set number so far?

It is Red 5 and I have it on good authority it is standing by.

prevere

Rogue one shield with hammerhead.

just2good

Toy Story 4... Junior sets

MaffyD

I’ll be amazed if Captain Marvel gets more than one set. She has the same brand recognition as Doctor Strange and Ant-Man. Black Panther got two sets because he was already introduced in Civil War. Guardians got 3 because they could split the team up over that many sets and still sell them.

alaskaguy

HugeYellowBrick said:

Is anyone else simply bored of all these movie tie-ins? Can we not have more sets that are fun to build?

I would describe my feelings more as "disgust and animosity".

I wish they would produce some GOOD "parts and pieces" kits - with no instructions or examples of any kind. Just pure, self-indulgent creativity material.

I'd love to see a 3000 piece Technic pieces & parts kit, a 2000 piece Vehicles pieces & parts kit, a 2000 piece "space vehicles" pieces and parts kit, etc. etc. I'd buy those up in an instant.

The_Rancor

^ You're probably right, particularly as with my general knowledge of the Ms Marvel / Captain Marvel storylines, there aren't too many distinguishable vehicles (or giant rideable rhinos) involved (maybe Kree) - though the MCU is known to fiddle historic storylines slightly so we'll see. Having an actual military jet could be contentious but we had the Wonder Woman plane. 

Definitely hoping we we get at least one Ant-Man and the Wasp set because a Deadpool 2 set won't be forthcoming