UCS Interceptor looks pretty cool! I like the mouse droid
The Phantom Menace Brickheadz set is cool as well, though Captain Panaka is kind of an odd choice.

Is that a hint to a zam wessel I see?

That second pic of the book, with the separate art prints - is that a new Zam Wesell minifig?

I love the techniques they've used to angle the panels on the TIE Interceptor cockpit to make it more rounded. They haven't ever really nailed that. The technique here is closer to what Inthert did on his but at a larger scale.

@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"UCS Interceptor looks pretty cool! I like the mouse droid
The Phantom Menace Brickheadz set is cool as well, though Captain Panaka is kind of an odd choice."

Yeah, Panaka is an odd choice. Maybe a young Obi-Wan looked too plain and so they went with a different character that has a unique wardrobe.

What's a coffee table book? And why is it £130 for a book?

High definition pictures of the canceled Bioncle At-Rt and Super Battle droid?!

$150 for a book is insane.

@AgentKallus said:
"What's a coffee table book? And why is it £130 for a book?"

Literally exactly what the name says. It is an oversized, hardback book thats designed to live on a coffee table. The purpose of which being is meant to 'entertain guests and help inspire conversation'. It cost so much, as they originally came about as something for rich people to show off with, and being larger in size and usually filled with lavish images, basically the production costs for them are much higher then a normal book too.

Sorry everyone, this is in the description:
"...Other time capsule items – A facsimile of a rare Toy Fair booklet (2010), development art for an unreleased LEGO® Star Wars™ Zam Wesell minifigure (2020), an unproduced animation script and more"
No Zam Wesell for us.

@AgentKallus said:
"What's a coffee table book? And why is it £130 for a book?"

It's a 300+ page hardcover large format book in a custom designed slip case and printed art being sold directly thru Lego.com. Of course it's expensive. I'd consider buying the book only if it were available through book retailers.

I love how they said the minifigures are “currently limited” rather than “exclusive” to the TIE Interceptor. That way the internet can’t flip out later on when they release the figures in a smaller set.

Why is that book so expensive?? It's almost twice as much as the 'The Sense of Perfection' book from a couple years ago.

With the droid carrier gwp it feels like we should be getting a ucs MTT for our may 4th ucs set over a tie fighter lol

@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
" @J_Bricks said:
"Is that a hint to a zam wessel I see?"

*GAAAAASSSSSPPPPP* IT IS"

From a cancelled set, apparently. Not forthcoming.

Nice sets! What I want is the book. But man, it's a little pricey.

The book is 312 pages long. What is the over/under on the number of factual errors it will contain?

@illennium said:
"The book is 312 pages long. What is the over/under on the number of factual errors it will contain?"

More than 0 / less than whatever the total wordcount is for the book

Was hoping for the rumored MBS/UCS sail barge, which could very well just be a rumor unfortunately. That said the UCS Tie Interceptor looks great, will be picking that up eventually. Not really that excited for the GWPs this year though, already have the polybag, definitely don't care at all about the coin, and already have the original .battle droid carrier set. They should have just made the Darth Malak minifig the GWP, instead of including him in the redundant R2-D2 set, or made Saw Gerrera or Fives the GWP.

Cool book but it will probably arrive damaged like always... too risky for that price.

Same! I was all about it until I saw that price. Spending $150 on a book *about* Lego instead of buying actual Lego is a tough sell.

What an overpriced book.

I remain quite happy with my 2000 edition of the UCS Tie Interceptor.

Really excited for the book!! That will be an instant purchase for me.

Lots of comments showing confusion or disdain about the price. There are plenty of collector edition, oversized books like this with a similarly high price tag. It’s nothing new. For comparison, check out Taschen’s Star Wars books as a good example (which I HIGHLY recommend, btw).

I see all the comments about the book....then remember the Ferrari one, how quickly it sold out, and the insane prices it reached on eBay. I doubt the Star Wars one will be a failure.

At £129.99 for a book about Star Wars LEGO, I expect a lot of spelling mistakes and factual errors.

@classic_space17 said:
"Was hoping for the rumored MBS/UCS sail barge, which could very well just be a rumor unfortunately. That said the UCS Tie Interceptor looks great, will be picking that up eventually. Not really that excited for the GWPs this year though, already have the polybag, definitely don't care at all about the coin, and already have the original .battle droid carrier set. They should have just made the Darth Malak minifig the GWP, instead of including him in the redundant R2-D2 set, or made Saw Gerrera or Fives the GWP."

The Sail Barge will come in Autumn as the second UCS set of the year. Price, piece count and minifig selection are already known, just not (obviously) confirmed by LEGO.

@cr0004 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"UCS Interceptor looks pretty cool! I like the mouse droid
The Phantom Menace Brickheadz set is cool as well, though Captain Panaka is kind of an odd choice."

LEGO has interior DEI requirements that take precedent over set accuracy and/or logic.
"

Oh yes, the only POSSIBLE reason to include the character in a set is because of spooooooky DEI! /eyeroll

I'm not much of a LEGO Star Wars fan or collector these days, but in general I'm pretty impressed with both the new TIE interceptor and the new Phantom Menace BrickHeadz! Like many folks of my generation, I have a lot of Episode I nostalgia, and these particular characters translate really nicely to the BrickHeadz style while implementing some clever part choices and building techniques for details like Jar Jar's face or Queen Amidala's hair/headdress!

Moreover, I LOVE the idea of coffee-table books focusing on behind-the-scenes stuff about a particular theme's development. I'll see if my wife is interested in this one (they're more into LEGO Star Wars than I am). But regardless, I know I'd be really excited to see a book along those lines (even a smaller one) for themes like Ninjago, Friends, or Bionicle!

@cr0004 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"UCS Interceptor looks pretty cool! I like the mouse droid
The Phantom Menace Brickheadz set is cool as well, though Captain Panaka is kind of an odd choice."

LEGO has interior DEI requirements that take precedent over set accuracy and/or logic.
"

Never thought that these BS discussions about DEI would make it to Brickset. Apparently there are enough bigots in the world who take offence in what is essentially something inoffensive, that some of them even make it here.

Please please please go spread your bigotry on Twitter or other platforms, but keep it out of here. Thank you.

I definitely hope someone scans the new images of prototype sets in high resolution. I want to get a clear look at those cancelled Constraction sets beyond the blurry box photos we already have, but I'm not putting down $150 on a book no matter what's in it.

Am I the only one thinking Panaka is not an odd inclusion?

People saying Obi,
But Obi would be quite similar to Quigon and the character already has a brickhead (Yes a different version, but still same character)

Panaka was still important to the film, fits with the Queen Amidala one, and is a bit more unique/different.

Why do people think he is odd?

can there be an option on the poll "No, its too big and I haven't got any space"

@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
" @cr0004 said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"UCS Interceptor looks pretty cool! I like the mouse droid
The Phantom Menace Brickheadz set is cool as well, though Captain Panaka is kind of an odd choice."

LEGO has interior DEI requirements that take precedent over set accuracy and/or logic.
"

OK but seriously though you're not wrong"

I’d say pretty wrong. In general, these sets always include one character to complete line ups but wouldn’t sell on their own. Obi wan would sell on his own.

Another fact is that if they did include Obi-Wan, people would complain about it including two figures who are essentially the same and not including a lesser known character they can’t get elsewhere.

No matter what they do, people would complain. But I do not think it has anything to do with DEI.

“We want a new Queen Amidala figure!”

Lego:

@TheOtherMike said:
"If I had a UCS collection, that TIE would definitely be joining it, as the Interceptor is one of my all-time favorite Star Wars fighters. "

Perfect opportunity for you to start your UCS collection since an X-wing is currently available as well.
Edit: really disappointed Brickset comments section does not recognize my devil emoji.

@Jraptor said:
"I refuse to give Disney money, so I may need to get on eBay for that diorama. I always adored the pod race scene and it actually looks good. All the dioramas have, but so far only the throne room had been a must have "

How does eBay help that?
Instead of giving Disney money you are giving a reseller money, who gave Disney money,

So Disney still get the money, but now a middle man takes his cut and makes a profit.

Some nice looking sets. It feels like a stretch in the press release to say the podrace diorama "includes Anakin". He's a grey stud.

@Yardsale19X said:
"Some nice looking sets. It feels like a stretch in the press release to say the podrace diorama "includes Anakin". He's a grey stud. "

I'm anticipating his debut on Random Minifig of the Day.

@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"I refuse to give Disney money EXCEPT when it comes to Star Wars. It's the one property they own that they haven't totally destroyed yet."

Disney destroyed Star Wars when they decanonized the Expanded Universe a decade ago.

@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"The Phantom Menace Brickheadz set is cool as well, though Captain Panaka is kind of an odd choice."

No, Captain Typho would have been an odd choice. Panaka fits.

why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion

@Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. I remind everyone that LEGO designers themselves have commented on this site in the past about how “Disney products are diverse and inclusive” (those were their exact words). If expressing opinions and speaking the truth isn’t allowed on Brickset then we should all find somewhere else to get our news.

People with the "I'll stick with my Interceptor from 2000" comments are beyond annoying. Not everyone who is a fan of LEGO Star Wars was even around to buy this at the time of release or can afford the resale prices.

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong.

@Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears.

Captain Panama is the Queen's Protector. Without Captain Panaka, the Queen never escapes Naboo, she never negotiates with the Gungans, she never takes Theed Palace and corners the viceroy. Simple as that. Captain Panaka is a straightforwardly heroic character with a colorful costume and he doesn't usually get his due. Simple as that.

Besides, hasn't it been said that "the bigger the hair (or hat), the better the Brickhead"? Obi-wan has a boring buzz cut in TPM, and that makes for a boring Brickhead! Captain Panaka has style, man!

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears. "

i have an explanation: because he would look extremely similar to Qui-Gon and thus make the set more boring on the whole

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears. "

I have multiple explanations.

1. Obi-wan and Qui Gon look remarkably similar as brick heads. Including both in the set would actually bother people because they wear similar outfits and people would actually complain about two of the people looking so similar.
2. The purpose of these sets are not to have all the main characters. It’s to have enough of the main characters to justify a purchase while also including side characters who quite frankly won’t sell on their own. Say what you will about Panaka but in general, people feel better about him than Jar Jar. But the sets always have some lesser characters who would not individually and this is the only way to get them made.
3. Episode one Kenobi would sell on its own. Beyond that, Kenobi makes multiple appearances and those looks are better than his episode 1 appearance. But end of the day, they can make more money selling Kenobi separately later on than selling Panaka separately later on.

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears. "

It’s simple and straightforward: two characters wearing the same Jedi robes outfit would be visually repetitive and less interesting than including Panaka’s distinctive guard outfit.

“Treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control” is exactly what y’all are doing by singling out Cpt. Panaka as a “DEI inclusion.” Sorry, but when someone’s first reaction to the inclusion of a dark-skinned character is to announce to the world “They don’t deserve to be included here,” I find it difficult to believe that person is speaking in good faith.

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @jrathage said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears. "

It’s simple and straightforward: two characters wearing the same Jedi robes outfit would be visually repetitive and less interesting than including Panaka’s distinctive guard outfit.

“Treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control” is exactly what y’all are doing by singling out Cpt. Panaka as a “DEI inclusion.” Sorry, but when someone’s first reaction to the inclusion of a dark-skinned character is to announce to the world “They don’t deserve to be included here,” I find it difficult to believe that person is speaking in good faith."

If you’ve paid any attention to Star Wars at all over the last 10 years you’d know exactly why I’m calling this sort of thing out. Especially when LEGO has spent the last few years shoehorning in these figures and making sets inaccurate - Sloane in the TIE Bomber, Rebel Technician in Yavin IV, the snowtroopers in the $1000 AT-AT just to name a few. And of course the comment from Hans Burkhard Schlomer himself regarding Disney requiring this sort of thing. I also note that Disney is currently facing several lawsuits for their DEI hiring policies. But yes, it’s the people like me who are calling out these discriminatory practices are the problem *eyeroll* You’re not seeing me slam Jar Jar Binks’ inclusion because of Ahmed Best.

As far as alternate explanations, I must admit that “the bigger the hat the better the brickhead” is a good one "

.....you're complaining about the inclusion of differing skin colors and genders for total generic Rebel or Imperial personnel, in sets where they're not even """replacements""" for """""more important characters"""""??? And in the snowtroopers' case, where you literally don't even have to see or think about it if you leave the helmet on??????

@sjr60 said:
" @AgentKallus said:
"What's a coffee table book? And why is it £130 for a book?"
It's a free book, that comes with a £130 coffee table...."

I dread to think what a LEGO branded coffee table would cost, given how much they charge for those small wooden drawers.

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @jrathage said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears. "

It’s simple and straightforward: two characters wearing the same Jedi robes outfit would be visually repetitive and less interesting than including Panaka’s distinctive guard outfit.

“Treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control” is exactly what y’all are doing by singling out Cpt. Panaka as a “DEI inclusion.” Sorry, but when someone’s first reaction to the inclusion of a dark-skinned character is to announce to the world “They don’t deserve to be included here,” I find it difficult to believe that person is speaking in good faith."

If you’ve paid any attention to Star Wars at all over the last 10 years you’d know exactly why I’m calling this sort of thing out. Especially when LEGO has spent the last few years shoehorning in these figures and making sets inaccurate - Sloane in the TIE Bomber, Rebel Technician in Yavin IV, the snowtroopers in the $1000 AT-AT just to name a few. And of course the comment from Hans Burkhard Schlomer himself regarding Disney requiring this sort of thing. I also note that Disney is currently facing several lawsuits for their DEI hiring policies. But yes, it’s the people like me who are calling out these discriminatory practices are the problem *eyeroll* You’re not seeing me slam Jar Jar Binks’ inclusion because of Ahmed Best.

As far as alternate explanations, I must admit that “the bigger the hat the better the brickhead” is a good one "

I recommend 8964 or 42121 if you're this invested in digging yourself deeper.

@Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

Whilst the opinion of DEI in regards to this set is nonsense and I disagree with the point, I also believe he should be allowed to make the point.

These comment sections should allow free and fair discussion, too many people on here think that certain opinions should be censored and that is too endemic of society . I've seen many people demand that comments that discuss yet-announced sets should be banned for instance.

@TheOtherMike said:
" @MegaBlocks said:
"An Amidala outfit or Leia outfit Brickheadz set would be nice."

That would be pretty cool, but there's a snowball's chance on Mustafar that Lego's going to do a Brickheadz set that's just multiple instances of the same character, even if every one of them's wearing a very distinct outfit."

A Darth Maul pack would be pretty cool. Darth Maul with his voluminous robes. Darth Maul as a hologram. Darth Maul without the robes. Darth Maul cleaved in half. Darth Maul with mechanical legs.

@MegaBlocks:
Note that nothing (obvious) has been done so far. The issue is that instances like this frequently turn into flame wars that consume the comment section. When that happens, comments are frequently closed, egregious comments may be deleted, and some people may have posting privileges taken away on a temporary or permanent basis. There was even a stretch where a small group of commenters weaponized this process by intentionally posting comments that were certain to get the comments shut down within hours, so that nobody could discuss a certain theme that they had decided needed to go away. It gets tiresome to come here, read through several dozen new comments, see things quickly turning sour, and ending up with closed comments when you never even got a chance to respond to the original article.

@daniellesa said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
" @TheMikeStrikesBack said:
"I love how they said the minifigures are “currently limited” rather than “exclusive” to the TIE Interceptor. That way the internet can’t flip out later on when they release the figures in a smaller set."

What even is exclusive about this particular TIE Pilot?

@daniellessa what other female character do you think they would have picked? Shmi Skywalker? One of the dozen or so handmaidens who would be even harder to tell apart in BrickHeadz form?
"

Shmi would have been nice, she's a significant factor in Anakin's fall to the dark side, but my main point was that we should also be debating over equality of sex as well as skin colour. There are a lot of male mini figure/ brick heads/ orientated sets in star wars released than there are female."

Fair enough. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty accurate reflection of Star Wars as a franchise and of its representation in LEGO. Aside from Leia and Mon Mothma, and maybe a couple Ewoks, the Original trilogy’s cast of female characters amounts to a few Cloud City civilians and some characters in Jabba’s palace. I for one can do without any from that latter category.

The Prequel Trilogy honestly isn’t much better. We get a few Jedi who are on screen for maybe thirty seconds total across all three films, some Senate/Separatist leader characters who are unlikely to appear in Lego form since they never take part in any action, a couple of minor bounty hunters, and more civilians without much appeal. Shin is probably the most significant aside from Padme, but she’s also a Tattooine slave turned farmer’s wife whose attire is pretty drab alongside many more visually iconic and interesting characters.

I heartily agree that the ladies could use some more love, but sets based on the films do seem unlikely to give us much of that.

“Discrimination.” You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @jrathage said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears. "

It’s simple and straightforward: two characters wearing the same Jedi robes outfit would be visually repetitive and less interesting than including Panaka’s distinctive guard outfit.

“Treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control” is exactly what y’all are doing by singling out Cpt. Panaka as a “DEI inclusion.” Sorry, but when someone’s first reaction to the inclusion of a dark-skinned character is to announce to the world “They don’t deserve to be included here,” I find it difficult to believe that person is speaking in good faith."

If you’ve paid any attention to Star Wars at all over the last 10 years you’d know exactly why I’m calling this sort of thing out. Especially when LEGO has spent the last few years shoehorning in these figures and making sets inaccurate - Sloane in the TIE Bomber, Rebel Technician in Yavin IV, the snowtroopers in the $1000 AT-AT just to name a few. And of course the comment from Hans Burkhard Schlomer himself regarding Disney requiring this sort of thing. I also note that Disney is currently facing several lawsuits for their DEI hiring policies. But yes, it’s the people like me who are calling out these discriminatory practices are the problem *eyeroll* You’re not seeing me slam Jar Jar Binks’ inclusion because of Ahmed Best.

As far as alternate explanations, I must admit that “the bigger the hat the better the brickhead” is a good one "

.....you're complaining about the inclusion of differing skin colors and genders for total generic Rebel or Imperial personnel, in sets where they're not even """replacements""" for """""more important characters"""""??? And in the snowtroopers' case, where you literally don't even have to see or think about it if you leave the helmet on??????"

Disney are the ones mandating that x% of their products must have y skin colour or z gender and LEGO isn’t pushing back… but yes, it’s me who is the problem.

I encourage you all to stop and think about what you guys are actually defending here: it’s corporate-mandated discrimination, pure and simple. "

As a kid, I remember struggling to find heads in my minifig box with Glasses on for creating myself, and ended up disappointed that I had to settle for a classic yellow head with Sunglasses as I was the closest I could find.

If having a couple of generic troops having different heads helps a kid make themselves then that is 100% worth it.
I know none of us like to admit it, but at the end of the day LEGO is a Kids Toy, and that is the primary focus.
And it doesn't hurt anyone to include them. Especially on general troops, far better than all having the same head part.

As for Panaka,
Plenty of people now have offered reasons why Kenobi would not be the best option,
And after him Panaka probably IS one of the next most important character in Phantom, and pairs very well with the Queen Amidala one in the pack. He is NOT a

*He is NOT an odd inclusion.

Seems like comment got too long.

@Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @jrathage said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
" @Brikkyy13 said:
" @Jeddostotle7 said:
"why is all this whinging about "DEI" even allowed on this site

Captain Panaka is a perfectly logical inclusion"

There are many people who believe that DEI, while well intentioned, is a racist practice in and of itself. "

Yes, such people exist, as do people who believe the earth is flat, that the Apollo lunar landings never happened, and/or that the 2020 US general election was stolen, and they’re all wrong."

I’m sorry, I was taught to believe that treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control was the definition of discrimination. If you have another explanation as to why Obi-Wan Kenobi was omitted from a set that includes the other 4 main characters from The Phantom Menace I’m all ears. "

It’s simple and straightforward: two characters wearing the same Jedi robes outfit would be visually repetitive and less interesting than including Panaka’s distinctive guard outfit.

“Treating people differently based on characteristics they can’t control” is exactly what y’all are doing by singling out Cpt. Panaka as a “DEI inclusion.” Sorry, but when someone’s first reaction to the inclusion of a dark-skinned character is to announce to the world “They don’t deserve to be included here,” I find it difficult to believe that person is speaking in good faith."

If you’ve paid any attention to Star Wars at all over the last 10 years you’d know exactly why I’m calling this sort of thing out. Especially when LEGO has spent the last few years shoehorning in these figures and making sets inaccurate - Sloane in the TIE Bomber, Rebel Technician in Yavin IV, the snowtroopers in the $1000 AT-AT just to name a few. And of course the comment from Hans Burkhard Schlomer himself regarding Disney requiring this sort of thing. I also note that Disney is currently facing several lawsuits for their DEI hiring policies. But yes, it’s the people like me who are calling out these discriminatory practices are the problem *eyeroll* You’re not seeing me slam Jar Jar Binks’ inclusion because of Ahmed Best.

As far as alternate explanations, I must admit that “the bigger the hat the better the brickhead” is a good one "

.....you're complaining about the inclusion of differing skin colors and genders for total generic Rebel or Imperial personnel, in sets where they're not even """replacements""" for """""more important characters"""""??? And in the snowtroopers' case, where you literally don't even have to see or think about it if you leave the helmet on??????"

Disney are the ones mandating that x% of their products must have y skin colour or z gender and LEGO isn’t pushing back… but yes, it’s me who is the problem.

I encourage you all to stop and think about what you guys are actually defending here: it’s corporate-mandated discrimination, pure and simple. "

Discrimination against... light nougat tiles. Truly unconscionable. You're a real hero for pushing back against this.

@bondre said:
"what the heck is happening on brickset rn??"

New TV show, “Brickset, RN”. An emergency room nurse who fights crime and catalogs LEGO in their spare time.

@bondre said:
"what the heck is happening on brickset rn??"

To answer you question: It appears the trolls have come out of the woodwork. It really is sad to see Brickset devolve into this mess. To the Bigots I say this: Begone with you! The power of Clutch compels you!