FBTB - From Bricks To Bothans

Follow us: RSS
News? Questions? Comments? Email!
LEGO Brand Retail

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Ken "buriedbybricks" Robichaud | April 2nd, 2012 | LEGO Architecture, LEGO Star Wars, News

HispaBrick 13 Now Available

HBM 013

Issue 13 of the AFOL magazine HispaBrick is available for download now on their website in both Spanish and English and as usual it has a lot to offer. This issue starts off on the right foot by interviewing one of my favourite LEGO photographers Vesa “Avanaut” Lehtimäki about his visits to the snow covered planet Hoth. There’s a interesting interview with LEGO Architecture’s Adam Reed Tucker and many great articles that include a look at Doctor Who’s influence on LEGO, modular castle building, the therapeutic value of LEGO as well as LEGO and Autism. With all that and more it’s a solid read, but the inclusion of The Brick Bang Theory diagram on the back is more than reason enough to take a look.

Casey "cas" Scott | March 31st, 2012 | LEGO CUUSOO, News

Another LEGO Cuusoo Milestone: Shaun of the Dead

Chances are you’ve already heard the news. Yatkuu’s LEGO Cuusoo submission “The Winchester – Shaun of the Dead” has reached the required 10,000 votes for product consideration! This was no doubt related to Simon Pegg’s mention of the project on Conan O’Brien’s TBS talk show. But don’t get too excited yet. There is no guarantee this, or something similar, will see the light of day as an official LEGO model. Yes, Minecraft made it through the LEGO’s review process fairly swiftly, but this may prove a much more difficult challenge, considering the film’s themes and appropriateness as it is an R-rated comedy. Consider LEGO’s own words on the achievement:

In our previous message, we noted that due to the themes behind Shaun of the Dead, there would need to be some significant internal discussion for us to agree to produce this as a product. Please understand that this discussion has yet to take place, and while we appreciate your work and celebrate this big success with you, we are not guaranteeing production.

What do you think? Will it make it through LEGO’s review process or will it be bludgeoned away by a cricket bat?

Ace "onions" Kim | March 16th, 2012 | LEGO Star Wars, News

10225 R2-D2 Officially Unveiled

10225_prod

Here’s the official unveiling of everyone’s favorite astromech, 10225 R2-D2. The good news: it comes out in May. The bad news: it’s $180 bucks. Or $230 if you’re really unlucky and live in the great white north. Still, you do get over 2,000 pieces with it, 2,127 to be exact.

Maybe Shop@Home will have some sort of sale or promotion attached to it for their annual May the Fourth Be With You sale.

10225_back_func_10_A 10225_tech_view_bottom 10225_side_4 10225_prod 10225_func_7_B 10225_func_7_A 10225_front_cover 10225_box_na_front 10225_back_tech_view_C 10225_back_cover 10225_back_A_plate 10225_1to1_old 10225_back_tech_view_B 10225_back_tech_view_A 10225_back_func_saw_C 10225_back_func_saw_B2 10225_back_func_saw_A 10225_back_func_dome 10225_back_func_arm_B3 10225_back_func_arm_A

10225 R2-D2™

Ages 16+. 2,127 pieces.

US $179.99 CA $229.99 UK 149.99 £ DE 179.99 € DK 1499 DKK

Presenting the Ultimate Collector Series R2-D2™ – the best-loved droid in the Star Wars galaxy!

Presenting the iconic R2-D2 as you’ve never seen him before! Everyone’s favorite droid from the Star Wars galaxy is now part of the Ultimate Collector Series and features fantastic detailing, such as retractable third leg, front panels that open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and a circular saw, rotating head and 2 fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms. With the included fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure, this diminutive model is the perfect addition to your LEGO® Star Wars™ collection!

• Ultimate Collector Series R2-D2™!
• Features retractable third leg!
• Front panels open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and circular saw!
• Features realistic rotating head!
• R2-D2 features 2 fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms!
• Includes fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure!
• Measures over 12” (31 cm) high and 7” (18 cm) wide!

Casey "cas" Scott | March 15th, 2012 | DC Universe, LEGO Super Heroes, News

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Trailer Debuts

I hear voices and now you can too! I don’t know how I feel about the little plastic people gaining voices after so many games, but it looks great so far. There’s no specific release date other than “Summer,” but it will be available on the Nintendo 3DS, DS, Wii, PS3, Vita, Xbox 360, and PC, basically everything.

[via EGM Now]

Don "Solo" Reitz | March 13th, 2012 | LEGO Star Wars, News

10225 UCS R2D2 Preview on LEGOClubTV Youtube Channel

10225 UCS R2D2

Lets just get right to the point:

…Or not. With under four hours in the spotlight the video was switched to “private”, and as I’m sure any third party uploads will just get pulled for copyright violations we’ll just stick with the text that were originally posted along with the video (until they make it public again of course). Brickset has a lower quality mirror available for now if you don’t want to wait. The details:

Come with us as we take an exclusive look at the never before seen 10225 R2-D2™, the latest exclusive LEGO® Star Wars™ set! We’ll talk with Mike and Kurt, the talented LEGO® designers who brought this awesome model to life in LEGO® bricks. The R2-D2 set will be available directly through LEGO® beginning in May 2012 via shop.LEGO.com and at LEGO® Stores. Visit shop.LEGO.com for more details on this amazing model!

Presenting the Ultimate Collector Series R2-D2™ — the best-loved droid in the Star Wars galaxy!

Presenting the iconic R2-D2 as you’ve never seen him before! Everyone’s favorite droid from the Star Wars galaxy is now part of the Ultimate Collector Series and features fantastic detailing, such as retractable third leg, front panels that open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and a circular saw, rotating head and 2 fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms. With the included fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure, this diminutive model is the perfect addition to your LEGO® Star Wars™ collection!

• Ultimate Collector Series R2-D2™!
• Features retractable third leg!
• Front panels open to reveal a universal computer interface arm and circular saw!
• Features realistic rotating head!
• R2-D2 features 2 fold-out front spacecraft linkage control arms!
• Includes fact plaque and R2-D2 minifigure!
• Measures over 12″ (31 cm) high and 7″ (18 cm) wide!

Unfortunately no word on price, piece count, or release date. I can’t wait. Thank for the heads up hassmyster!

Casey "cas" Scott | March 3rd, 2012 | News

Ralph McQuarrie 1929 – 2012

The legendary illustrator who was instrumental in realizing the visual aspect of the Star Wars universe has died. Ralph McQuarrie’s amazing work shaped many of the classic characters, starships and alien landscapes we all know and love, and most importantly, remember. I fondly remember searching the internet for his artwork years ago when I first learned who he was. I sat and patiently perused image databases on my then dial-up connection looking at each piece, and always in awe. It was fascinating to see the origins of the iconic imagery we’re used to watching, whether it’s Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, or the numerous other classic films he was a part of. I have yet to come across concept art for any film that has the energy and life conveyed by McQuarrie’s hand. He will be missed, but never forgotten as long as the universes he helped create live on in millions of homes around the world.

Ace "onions" Kim | March 2nd, 2012 | LEGO CUUSOO, News

CUUSOO Japan Launches 21101 Hayabusa

21101 Hayabusa

LEGO CUUSOO Japan’s latest model, 21101 Hayabusa, went on sale in Japan I assume today since I got the press release today. Unlike their first model, however, 21100 Shinkai 6500 Submarine, this set will be available at LEGO Shop@Home in limited quantities later in the year. No release date has been given yet but we’ll keep you up to date on any developments. Official press release below.

BILLUND, Denmark – The Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa, the second LEGO® CUUSOO release, has gone on sale in Japan, while a limited number of Hayabusa sets will also be available exclusively online via shop.LEGO.com later in the year. No release date has been set yet.

The original Hayabusa model on LEGO CUUSOO was built by Daisuke Okubo and achieved 1,000 supporters on the Japanese-only version of LEGO CUUSOO in the spring of 2011. LEGO model designer Melody Louise Caddick designed the final model, refining earlier concept models based on Daisuke’s original project.

The model is priced at ¥ 4,118 in Japan, USD49, EUR49

LEGO CUUSOO is a website where LEGO fans can submit their ideas for new LEGO products and collect votes to make their ideas become a reality. They can also vote for other users’ ideas. It can be found at http://lego.cuusoo.com

LEGO CUUSOO began in 2008 with a Japanese site that attracted hundreds of ideas and saw thousands of votes cast by a 35,000-strong community. It was launched globally in October.

The first Japanese product, the Shinkai 6500 submersible, went on sale in Japan in February 2011. A project backed by Minecraft developer Mojang became the first user-sponsored project to be approved on the global version of LEGO CUUSOO.

Ideas supported by 10,000 votes are examined by a LEGO jury to check the models meet LEGO standards of safety and playability and support the LEGO brand. Consumers who have their ideas chosen for production will earn 1% of the total net sales of the product.’

Hayabusa (“falcon” in English) is an unmanned spacecraft built by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), designed to travel to a small near-Earth asteroid named Itokawa and return sample material to Earth. Hayabusa’s mission began in 2003 and ended successfully in 2010.

Ken "buriedbybricks" Robichaud | February 29th, 2012 | LEGO Super Heroes, Marvel Comics, News

Final Avengers Trailer Now Online!

The final trailer for Marvel’s The Avengers (retitled Marvel Avengers Assemble in the UK) has arrived and it’s an action packed joy ride I can’t wait to take. I do believe some of the scenes in this trailer give a bit more insight into the forthcoming sets and into the “mysterious” *cough* villains. The movie is set to release May the 4th in NA, so that’s one more reason to look forward to the May geek holiday weekend! I need to start building ASAP…

Ace "onions" Kim | February 26th, 2012 | LEGO Star Wars, News

Planning Star Wars Days at LEGOLAND California March 31 – April 1

Star Wars Days 2012

Star Wars Days at LEGOLAND California is slated to be held from March 31 to April 1, 2012 to coincide with their relaunch of the newly expanded Star Wars Miniland. The weekend is fast approaching and FBTB will of course be involved in the fan display. Are you planning on attending? Do you want to display a MOC or volunteer to staff the fan gallery? Have you ever wondered what Don Solo looks like without his hat on? There are a variety of ways to be involved with perks to help incentivize you. Yes, incentivize is a word. I just made it up. Read on for more details. It’s a giant wall of text with lots of information, so please read carefully.

Volunteer Your Time
The Fan Gallery will need a few volunteers to help man the tables. Ideally, there will be three people per shift, a shift being a one hour time block with a minimum of two hours per volunteer. And as a volunteer, you will get free entry into the park. This perk does not extend to your brother/sister/cousin/wife/son/daughter/nephew/niece/friend or anyone else unless they too are volunteering their time. More details will be forthcoming. Space is extremely limited. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please use the contact us form with the day (Saturday March 31 or Sunday April 1), the time slots (beginning from 10am to 6pm) you would like to volunteer for, your name, and contact information. Space is extremely limited.

Bring A MOC
There are three ways to contribute a MOC.

Podracers –
Our current Podracing Challenge contest was designed with Star Wars Days in mind. If you are building or have completed building your podracer for our contest, we invite you to mail in your MOC to be put on display as part of the Episode I Movie Build (more info on that below). For all podracers mailed in, a jury panel consisting of myself, Don “Solo” Reitz, and Ryan “Chief” Wood will select the best podracer to win cash. That’s right, cash. How does $50 USD sound? If you win, you must have a Paypal account. Everyone who sends in their podracer will receive an FBTB T-shirt (while supplies last) included in the return package. If you’re interested in sending in your podracer, please use the contact us form to get in touch with me for additional details and requirements. Podracers can be mailed in, dropped off, or brought to the park for set up. Podracers must be received no later than March 24th.

Star Wars themed MOC –
We’re not all about podracers, you know. Do you have a Star Wars themed MOC you’d like to awe and inspire the hundreds of Star Wars fans viewing the Fan Gallery over the weekend? We would be more than happy to accommodate you. If you bring your MOC and require time for set up, please use our contact form to get in touch with us for more details. If you’d like to mail in your MOC, that’s okay too. Just use the contact us form for more information.

Episode I Movie Build –
This is where it gets interesting. In addition to the normal MOCery on display, we are coordinating with LUGOLA (LEGO Users Group of Los Angeles) and SANDLUG (San Diego LEGO Users Group) to put on a display showing The Phantom Menace movie from beginning to end in LEGO form. Obviously, we can’t do the movie scene for scene, so we’ve broken down the movie into a few key sequences and have asked LUG members to sign up for a scene to display. The scene list is not definitive and if a builder wants to build something that’s not on the list, it’s not only acceptable but encouraged. All forms of MOCs are acceptable: micro scale, dioramas, mosaics, etc. If you are interested in contributing to the Movie Build, please use the contact us form and let us know.

The Episode I Movie Build will have it’s own little contest. A member from the the Events staff will be picking his/her top three favorite MOCs from the Movie Build to receive a LEGOLAND gift card good for anywhere in the park. The gift card values are $100 for 1st, $75 for 2nd, and $25 for 3rd. Unfortunately, podracers will not qualify (hence the reason FBTB will be awarding a cash prize instead).

The Dangling Carrot
LEGOLAND is working on securing incentives for those who volunteer their time and/or contribute a MOC for the fan gallery. Several incentives are being worked on and I can’t say what those incentives are at this time only because I have not received confirmation yet. I can say that a Star Wars Days t-shirt will be given to the volunteers who man the tables. This, the incentives, not the t-shirt, is something I’ve worked on with the Events Manager after last year’s Star Wars Days so as soon as I get more details, I will post the information.

Got questions? I suggest posting the question in the forum thread for all to read unless you’re one them shy types and would rather email us directly. That’s okay too.

Bothcon
Due to the very short time frame in planning for Star Wars Days, we will not be having Bothcon during that weekend. No decision about Bothcon 2012 has been made yet.

I’m probably forgetting things to mention cause it’s like super late and I’ve been writing for over an hour. Things will crystallize the closer we get to the big weekend so I’ll post again once I get more info or if I need to clarify things. It was a real treat meeting a lot of fans of the site last year. I hope that more of you can make it and that some of you will even contribute.

Ken "buriedbybricks" Robichaud | February 22nd, 2012 | LEGO Star Wars, News

LEGO Star Wars Storms The Nuremberg Airport

Yoda @ the Nuremberg Airport (Toy Fair 2012)

After the great coverage of both the London and New York Toy Fair’s by our intrepid reporters Pete, Don and Ace it was easy to forget about the one held in Germany. Francesco “Frankie” Fondi (awesomely alliterated alias award) sent a heads up about LEGO’s occupation of the Nuremberg airport baggage area, which was overwhelmed with LEGO Star Wars statues. You can check out the rest of the shots at his site. I’d guess these are statues that may pop up in LEGO stores quite often, but I’ve never seen one in person and the thought of them invading an airport just seems like an odd publicity stunt. Neat nontheless.

Star Wars Friends @ the Nuremberg Airport (Toy Fair 2012)

It’s sad because they used to be so close…