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Ideas for the Next License

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Comments

  • IstokgIstokg Member Posts: 2,363
    @CCC Remember... there was no Bricklink in 1998!! ;-)
  • legos4everlegos4ever Member Posts: 45
    wow!
  • y2joshy2josh Member Posts: 1,996
    Mario would be awesome, so would be back to the future. I would really like to see famous bands for AFOL'S, not todays crappy bands. I'm talking Beatles, pink floyd, the who, ect..... with different famous syages and performances. I really want more stuff guided towards AFOL'S
    Although I generally disagree with the sentiment of LEGO-izing bands... a LEGO version of Stop Making Sense would be AMAZING.
  • weinnerweinner Banned Posts: 148
    @yellowcastle, I'm not even close to being out of line :)

    Edited for accuracy: YC 4/22/12
    Lol, I like that :)
  • legos4everlegos4ever Member Posts: 45
    lots of good ideas guys :)
  • greekmickgreekmick Member Posts: 710
    What about Hello Kitty. My daughter would love it and it would probably sell very well in Asia.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    lots of good ideas guys :)
    agreed. Unfortunately, very very few realistic ones.

  • korkor Member Posts: 392
    With a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon coming to Nickelodeon, I would love to see a TMNT line!
  • bluemoosebluemoose Member Posts: 1,716
    What about Hello Kitty. My daughter would love it and it would probably sell very well in Asia.
    http://www.megabloks.com/Shop/MEGA_Bloks/Hello_Kitty/

  • YellowcastleYellowcastle Administrator, Moderator Posts: 5,234
    ...as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    TMNT would pretty much compete directly with Ninjago - makes no sense for LEGO to do that.

  • pstrickler27pstrickler27 Member Posts: 71
    TMNT would be so much better than Ninjago (IMO).. you have the established adult fanbase.. the kids are still into them.. the new cartoon/movie is being made.. there are already an array of characters to choose from.. they are more unique than Ninjas and Skeletons (IMO).. they would make an excellent license..
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    ^ not saying they wouldn't be better, just saying they would compete directly with a product LEGO already produces, and which is already a runaway hit for them. Seems like a bad business move for LEGO.
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    ^ & ^^ Plus Lego own the Ninjago brand, which must help too.
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,940
    ThunderCats or He-Man. But the 80's ones not the modern versions, there must be something on cuusoo for that.
  • BoiseStateBoiseState Member Posts: 804
    Probably just me, by none of these sound interesting to me. Maybe the Back to the Future, but even that's stretching it. I think very few movies/series are Lego worthy.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    ^ not just you.
  • sidersddsidersdd Member Posts: 2,432
    ^ ^^ Not just you
  • crosseyedpiratecrosseyedpirate Member Posts: 44
    Doctor Who would be really cool, because all you would need is one Doctor minifigure and it would be backward/forward compatible with ALL sets - but they are already made by some lame other brick company. Why do I have to be teased by these lame attempts at minifigures, it would be better if they were never made at all!
    Other than that, I really think its more fun to have sets without licensing, they seem to be better values and the whole point is you can be creative, you don't have a set storyline when you build it - maybe it's cheaper for LEGO to just pay some film company use their movie scenes for a set instead of paying a designer to sit and come up with their own ideas.
  • BanditBandit Member Posts: 889

    Here's a list of the top 35 grossing movie franchises of all time (with R rated movies removed), with the number of moves made after the name. Notice the number of these franchises Lego has already licensed.

    1. Harry Potter 8
    2. James Bond 23
    3. Star Wars 8
    4. Pirates of the Caribbean 4
    5. Shrek 5
    6. Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings 3
    7. Avatar 1 (of 3)
    8. Transformers 3
    9. Batman 8
    10. Spider-Man 3
    11. Mission: Impossible 4
    12. Jurassic Park 3
    13. Indiana Jones 4
    14. Toy Story 4
    15. Ice Age 3
    16. X-Men 5
    18. Fast and the Furious 5
    19. Chronicles of Narnia 3
    20. Star Trek 11
    22. Kung Fu Panda 2
    23. Da Vinci Code 2
    24. Mummy 3
    25. Iron Man 2
    26. Alvin and the Chipmunks 3
    27. Madagascar 2
    32. Sherlock Holmes 2
    34. Men in Black 2
    35. Cars 2

    Conspicuously at the top of the list is Shrek. I could see that being done, but there are no plans I know of for a new Shrek movie, so I think Shrek's time has passed. If Lego was going to do it, they would have done it already.

    James Bond, not gonna happen. Kids don't care about James Bond.

    Avatar. I could totally see that, during the run-up for the new movies. Avatar 2 isn't coming out until 12/2015, with Avatar 3 in 12/2016. I wouldn't be surprised if the original is re-released in 2014 or 2015 also. That would give LEGO a license lasting 2+ years easy. Look for the Avatar license in 2015!

    Transformers - can't happen of course. Hasbro owns them.

    Star Trek, not gonna happen. Kids don't care about Star Trek (sorry trekkies).

    That really doesn't leave anything else relevant.

    Sherlock Holmes could be interesting. But they could do that without a license if they wanted to. (just wouldn't be based on the movie)

    That leaves new releases to choose from:

    Monsters Inc - 1/2013
    Monsters University - 6/2013

    Iron Man 3 - 5/2013
    Lone Ranger - 5/2013
    Phineas and Ferb - 7/2013
    Thor 2 - 11/2013
    Captain America 2 - 4/2014
    Spider Man 2 - 5/2014
    Avatar 2 - 12/2015
    Avatar 3 - 12/2016

    I totally expect a Monsters Inc line next year, that will run the length of the year. The re-release and then the new one in June is just perfect timing. It makes way too much sense, and they could really make some awesome stuff.

    Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2, and Spiderman 2 give legs for the marvel sets all through 2014.

    Lone Ranger is a wildcard. That could be fun. A renaissance of the old UK Cowboys and Indians theme. Could happen.

    Already mentioned Avatar.

    That leaves Phineas and Ferb. Frankly, I'm surprised they haven't done this already. There is a Lego Phineas and Ferb board game rumored to be coming out this year, so that would lead me to believe this is their next big license, maybe Jan. 2013. That would be perfect timing with the movie coming out in July. I think that's a lock to be the next license.
  • weinnerweinner Banned Posts: 148
    Avatar sounds neat. the avatars could be the same size as the woody minifigs.
  • hewmanhewman Member Posts: 93
    What about Hello Kitty. My daughter would love it and it would probably sell very well in Asia.
    If you're prepared to get a clone brand Oxford Bricks make this. I bought a set for a friend's daughter and the quality is pretty good, well above megabloks but not as good as Lego.

  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    edited April 2012
    Sherlock Holmes could be interesting. But they could do that without a license if they wanted to. (just wouldn't be based on the movie)
    "The detective" has been done with the CMF. I don't see them doing others. The new monster fighters has a bowler hat character, so it will be easy to MOC a Dr Watson.
  • pstrickler27pstrickler27 Member Posts: 71
    It sounds like another movie license is not in the cards.. they have pretty much cashed in on every successful movie franchise (I'm starting to agree that Monsters Inc. will be the next Disney theme.. followed by Wreck it Ralph).. TV shows.. there are probably some opportunities.. people have mentioned the Simpsons, Phineas and Ferb, Muppets, and probably others that I've forgotten.. has LEGO ever done a licensed series based off of a TV show (I mean without a movie tied to the show - so Clone Wars doesn't count)?.. Video games is an interesting arena.. Nintendo would be the most solid license I think.. there are tons of characters, all unique, and they wouldn't really intrude on other licenses or themes.. I'm aware that MegaBloks currently holds this license, but it had Marvel at one point.. so anything is possible..

    My vote is for Nintendo!
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,940
    ^I think it's actually K'nex that has a constructible Nintendo licence? Don't know who owns them though. But this is all about dreaming, not guessing.

    There was a time when people dreamt of LOTR and Marvel lego...
  • BanditBandit Member Posts: 889
    has LEGO ever done a licensed series based off of a TV show (I mean without a movie tied to the show - so Clone Wars doesn't count)?..
    Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, Avatar/Airbender, Ben10.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987
    Yes, video games is an interesting area to explore.
    There are also book characters to explore.

    Kora just came out, which would be an interesting follow on to Airbender, but they are only 3 episodes in.
  • pstrickler27pstrickler27 Member Posts: 71
    ^ I really had a brain lapse.. haha.. thanks!
  • prof1515prof1515 Member Posts: 1,550
    I still suspect that Star Trek is viable. There's a new movie coming and another also in early stages. Additionally, Bryan Singer's got a proposed series waiting in the wings though they have said that nothing will move forward on that until at least after the latest movie hits theatres next year. So I wouldn't count Star Trek out seeing as it has a bigger future than Star Wars (Episode I 3D was a bust and the live-action series isn't coming anytime soon).
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    edited April 2012
    ^
    Well, I'm not so sure. SW future is firmly grounded in continual re-inventions of the existing movies for futures waves of kids, as well as animated Clone Wars-style cartoons. Lucas is a master of one thing for sure - repeatedly prostituting his original creation at the alter of creating a continuous stream of customers.

    As for Star Trek - it's never been for kids. The bigger themes and issues in play have always, from the outset of the Original series, been more adult in nature (not in a sexual or violent way, but in a cognitive thinking one), and there's been a pretty heavy reliance on more complex science fiction throughout as well.

    Honestly, how many 6 to 11 year old kids (LEGO's "core target market") have EVER been into ST? How many were into the last movie or the upcoming one? That audience is much more teen and adult than child.

    Could LEGO sell UCS-style ship models to adults? Absolutely, by the boatload. But playsets? not to kids in any numbers, though I'm sure adults would eat them up for the minifig aspect. This would be a whole new kind of venture for LEGO to take on a license though, unlike anything they have done in the recent past.
  • prof1515prof1515 Member Posts: 1,550
    edited April 2012
    ^
    Well, I'm not so sure. SW future is firmly grounded in continual re-inventions of the existing movies for futures waves of kids, as well as animated Clone Wars-style cartoons. Lucas is a master of one thing for sure - repeatedly prostituting his original creation at the alter of creating a continuous stream of customers.

    As for Star Trek - it's never been for kids. The bigger themes and issues in play have always, from the outset of the Original series, been more adult in nature (not in a sexual or violent way, but in a cognitive thinking one), and there's been a pretty heavy reliance on more complex science fiction throughout as well.

    Honestly, how many 6 to 11 year old kids (LEGO's "core target market") have EVER been into ST? How many were into the last movie or the upcoming one? That audience is much more teen and adult than child.
    The same could be said about Indiana Jones or LOTR or anything else marketed as a movie. These movies target teen and young adult audiences more than they do children.

    As for the last Star Trek film, it was dumbed down for a wider audience which one of the reasons it was the highest grossing Star Trek film yet.
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    but the basic themes of both IJ and LotR are fairly universal and simple for even kids to understand - And a lot more entertaining (action-oriented) for kids than ST ever has been. ST has always been much less about action, and much more about dialog and thought-provoking, sciency plotlines (last move excepted of course).

    I'm a huge trekkie, but I struggle to see the kid-appeal in general. I could be wrong of course.
  • prof1515prof1515 Member Posts: 1,550
    but the basic themes of both IJ and LotR are fairly universal and simple for even kids to understand - And a lot more entertaining (action-oriented) for kids than ST ever has been. ST has always been much less about action, and much more about dialog and thought-provoking, sciency plotlines (last move excepted of course).

    I'm a huge trekkie, but I struggle to see the kid-appeal in general. I could be wrong of course.
    The shows were but the movies were more action-oriented, especially the last one. In the realm of licenses which are active, Trek is the biggest remaining holdout (something which many said about LOTR). I don't know if Lego will do it but then again I don't know what Lego will ever do. If I did, I'd also turn my attention to the lottery. :-D
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,633
    I worked at Target unloading trucks when the Star Trek reboot came out. There was 1/6 (that is how the shelves are/were divided) of shelf space for toys for that film and the product barely moved. A lot of it languished on clearance and Trek quickly disappeared from the store entirely. Meanwhile Star Wars had tons more shelf space and was constantly getting bought and refilled. Kids just didn't care about the Trek stuff.
  • kufkuf Member Posts: 66
    I only see Star Trek possibly happening as a limited release CUSSOO model- that's if CUSOO is successful.
  • prof1515prof1515 Member Posts: 1,550
    I only see Star Trek possibly happening as a limited release CUSSOO model- that's if CUSOO is successful.
    It won't happen that way. It's not worth Lego's time to negotiate licensing costs on a single model.

  • ninjagolightlyninjagolightly Member Posts: 140

    Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, Avatar/Airbender, Ben10.
    The last two were apparently huge flops though...
    there is really no substitute for the marketing machine of a major Hollywood blockbuster to drive toy sales.
    Obviously, that's no guarantee (I got a full collection of Green Lantern toys at 85% off!) but especially a multi-movie franchise has to be a much lower-risk proposition than even a very successful TV show.
    On the other hand, the success of Ninjago in media has to be making LEGO consider the benefits of spin-on rather than spin-off, turning its house brands into successful media franchises too... that's big big money, potentially. I actually hope they go that direction a bit because it means they will take more risks with house themes even at the cost of a few flops, which means more themes to choose from for us, more new parts, all that good stuff. Whatever greases the creativity engine is good...
  • cheshirecatcheshirecat Member Posts: 5,331
    Lucas will almost certainly have a clause in the Lego Star Wars licence preventing Lego entering any other sci-fi licence.
  • pstrickler27pstrickler27 Member Posts: 71
    ^ Agreed.. Trek will be super hard to get..

    Dino should have been Jurassic Park.. all you need is stickers with the J. Park logo and you're golden.. I think Jurassic Park 4 has been in the works since 2005.. I keep hearing rumors about it and then they die out.. if that movie comes along.. I think we have a good chance at a nice license (much like Indy)..
  • thorniethornie Member Posts: 245
    A Roman Empire theme would be amazing. It seems like such a no brainer that there must be SOME reason why TLG has not produced one yet. The Romans were some of the most prolific builders in history, not to mention kids love learning about that stuff in school. Imagine a Trajan's Market, or a UCS Coliseum? Perhaps it has something to do with TLG's aversion to anything historical? On a similar note, I've always thought if they released a "founding fathers" minifig collection for the USA market it would also make a killing in sales.
  • pstrickler27pstrickler27 Member Posts: 71
    @thornie.. your Roman Empire ideas/reasoning are great.. I don't know if TLG has always avoided history.. the castle/pirate sets seem pretty historical.. even though they are a little fantasy.. I'm sure the Rome sets would have to have a little bit of fantasy thrown in to make them exciting..

    I don't know if the founding fathers would "make a killing".. I'm from the US.. pretty into history.. and I know I wouldn't buy those minifigs.. haha.. maybe you are just really biased toward the founding fathers for some reason.. I don't know how well the kiddies will respond either.. might be a snore.. to each his own.
  • BrickarmorBrickarmor Member Posts: 1,258
    Somebody mentioned way back that City of Atlantis is basically a Greek teaser. Glad I saw that before I posted the same and pretended it was my own discovery. So very Attic...

    I want Zelda http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/6809

    But more than anything, the child in me wants... THE DARK CRYSTAL. Ohhh, my eyes go slack, head lolls gently back, drool gargles in me throat... Reawakening, Wiki suggests that there is a long-delayed sequel in the works. Not sure if this is good or bad news, but Lego should pay attention!!!!!

    Some related links:
    http://forums.luxology.com/discussion/topic.aspx?id=28803 and actually if you google "lego mario" a ton of other images come up

    http://www.ericharshbarger.org/lego/milhouse.html
  • pstrickler27pstrickler27 Member Posts: 71
    ^Dark Crystal.. hahahah.. yeah that would be pretty sweet.. I would die if they made a sequel.
  • YellowcastleYellowcastle Administrator, Moderator Posts: 5,234
    Remember, this thread is about potential licenses. The other thread would be the right place to pontificate on Ancient Rome, Greece, etc.
  • tamamahmtamamahm Member Posts: 1,987

    On the other hand, the success of Ninjago in media has to be making LEGO consider the benefits of spin-on rather than spin-off, turning its house brands into successful media franchises too... that's big big money, potentially. I actually hope they go that direction a bit because it means they will take more risks with house themes even at the cost of a few flops, which means more themes to choose from for us, more new parts, all that good stuff. Whatever greases the creativity engine is good...
    I very much agree with this.
    There has to be a ton of discussion at Lego these days, about the utter success of Ninjago and the impact a tv show has had.

    While Lego has had amazing success with licenses, and while I believe Lego will continue to search for licenses, I believe they will be seriously looking at the method they have used with Ninjago for future lines.

    I think one thing this thread has shown, as that while there are some good ideas out there, looking at the upcoming movies... at the moment I am not seeing too many big wow factor movies for licenses. The tricky part with movie licenses is that it has to hit that 6-11 age bracket. A license like Cars is cool, but is a bit young for that bracket. I suspect Monsters Inc or Shrek would be similar. I think it is why it makes sense for Lego to seriously explore video games/book licenses more, but then it goes back to a movie helps to drive, when you want multiple lines.



  • weinnerweinner Banned Posts: 148
    Thanks for the reminder yellowcastle :)
  • hewmanhewman Member Posts: 93
    For all those wanting Star Trek. It's not going to happen (not in the near future at least). Besides what was pointed out earlier that it may be in the agreement with Lucas not to have any SciFi license up against Star Wars, there is the much bigger issue that Kre-O (owned by Hasbro) have the license for the upcoming Star Trek movie and will be producing brick based sets.
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,940
    @hewman do you have a link for this? Wasn't aware of this tie-in.
  • hewmanhewman Member Posts: 93
    There aren't any pics out but I believe it was announced at a Toy Fair. I don't want to fill this lego site with non-lego talk, but a quick google search of kre-o and star trek will give you more information.
  • andheandhe Member Posts: 3,940
    edited April 2012
    http://geekmatic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/star-trek-building-sets-coming-in-2013.html If there anything as bad as the 'Battleship' sets then that's a big shame. A minifig Spock would have made a great elf.

    EDIT: Sorry just re-read that article and it's dreadful.
    "We can think of a lot of things and one of them is the USS Enterprise and some space station were the starship docks in." - So not really thinking of many things then...

    "KRE-O is the LEGO building sets manufactured by Oxford the Korean toy brand for Hasbro." - errr NOT LEGO, I might just sue on principle.
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