Second 2014 Review Starting Soon, First Review Results Pending

I have a feeling the bird project will win. I don't want it to, but it will.

I agree with you @castleguy121. I think that Big Bang Theory will get rejected as it often deals with more mature things not suitable for a children's toy. The Jules Verne Train will also get rejected I think becuase one BTTF models has already been produced. The Apple Store will also most likely get rejected too becuase Lego wouldn't want to choose one tech giant over the other(Apple vs. Microsoft) and they also did reject the Android Project awhile back. I think that the Lego bird project looks good as it uses some novel building strategies to get the right shape for the bird. And finally the Lego Doctor Who Projects, personally I think the one where the T.A.R.D.I.S opens will win as it best represents what the thing does in the show. Overall I think that its between the Birds and the Doctor.

Have they ever approved two projects in the same review period? Its gotten confusing with Ghostbusters and the research Institute.

^^ Keep in mind there is no "winner" of a given review. There is the possibility that none are selected for production.

I really hope WALL-E gets made into a set. The design is so nice and it looks like a perfect desk ornament.

I'm gonna be severely disappointed if the bird project fails. It'd be nice to see it expand from more than one set to a whole series with a new bird every so often.

Hope the labyrinth marble maze can make the 10K before deadline too.

I think from this round one of the Dr. Who sets is sure to happen. LEGO essentially asked for a Dr. Who set when they posted that license issues had been resolved and Dr. Who sets would be considered, and then a few days later the first set hit 10,000.

I would love to see the birds get chosen for the sake of another non-license set. The models are beautiful and they could make a set out of three of the smaller birds.

For the next review, the Wall-E set is surely a lock. As I've said in various places: the subject matter is right in LEGO's target zone, they already have an existing relationship with Disney/Pixar, and Angus' position at Pixar means any licensing issues should sail through quickly (he might have already cleared it with Pixar legal before submitting it to Cuusoo/Ideas), and LEGO could hardly pass up all of the free press they would get from having a set designed by the movie's artistic director (it's very parallel to having the Mars Rover set designed by a JPL engineer).

Bruce

Birds, please!

I still curious about that announcement that they were accepting Dr Who submissions again. Call me a conspiracy nutcase but it did seem awfully suspicious that they put such a big announcement about it.

As cool as the birds look, they are display pieces and look a bit fragile, I can't see them passing on the playability aspect without a major redesign. After the massive stink that was kicked up about the use of barrels on the arms of the exosuit I can't see TLG wanting to take massive redesigns on AFOL fuelled projects.

I'd love to get that BTTF train, but I have my doubts about it getting made after the mixed reception to the Delorean, still I can hope.

If LEGO were to make a doctor who set it would be very good timing considering the new series is out.

I'm really pulling for the Birds Project. I know Doctor Who has a ton of fans, but LEGO can license that any time...it certainly doesn't need to be done through Ideas. Conversely, Ideas is all but guaranteed to be the Bird Project's only hope of seeing production.

I like the project because of how unique it is. We seldom get organic brick-built shapes, and in the rare times that we do, they're unnatural and gimmicky, like the Creator 3-in-1 sets or the large Chima animals.

Best of luck in the results @glenbricker. I think Doctor Who is a no-brainer for this round, and I'm very hopeful of Wall-E in the following round.

Methinks the Beeb are too protective on the IP of Dr Who......they need to make money out if it - if there is no royalty that is worth investing in, them may block it......

TG Lego anyone?

I think the birds project has a good chance, particularly if LEGO tries a partnership with the Audubon society or something--while not very playable, I can see that appealing to the company's educational side, similar to the Architecture line. Maybe it would be the start of a Nature line of life-like animals to parallel the cartoonish Creator ones, in the way that Architecture parallels standard Lego buildings.

Apple store won't pass. Same with Big Bang.

BTTF train has a chance but not much of one--it would need to be so much bigger than any other Cuusoo/Ideas set to date, which makes it a hard sell. Not to mention the higher piece per price ratio that train sets always have may drive away more casual BTTF fans who aren't already invested in trains. I doubt Lego will pass it from a business standpoint, as much as they might want to.

I think we'll see some form of Doctor Who eventually, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't happen in this review. (Kind of the same as my thoughts on the multiple Zelda projects that have reached this stage.)

I'm going to bet on Dr. Who for the same reasons mentioned above regarding TLG essentially asking for a set. Birds will be pushed ala the Research Institute and will win the following round in the same way that nothing technically won in the previous round.

Wall*E would be the only one next time that might not surprise me as I simply don't see TLG doing a licensed set such as the Wayne Manor, X-Manion, Invisible Hand, AT-AT or light sabers when they already have licensed products lines with planned releases coinciding with other marketing for all of those product lines.

I am unfortunately not interested in any of the sets up for the first review, nor any of the sets that might make it in the second. It is all licenses (besides 'birds'). I obviously understand the popularity of licenses, but I cannot seriously think of a single license that I would prefer in LEGO form over a generic theme. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of many great games and tv-shows/movies, but I have no interest in seeing any of them in a LEGO set (maybe a small part of that is my extreme dislike of flesh-tones, but that is a topic for another time). My dream is to one day see a UCS castle set. Hopefully that will become a reality either through the 'Ideas' program, or maybe LEGO has one up their sleeve.

I really hope one of the Dr Who projects is accepted into production. I am such a huge fan of both Lego and Dr Who, as I'm sure many people are considering the size of each of their fan bases, and it is perfect timing considering the new series of Dr Who has just begun in the UK. I would really like one of the projects being the start of a whole new theme, just like the Minecraft Cuusso set, as there is so many possibilities of sets they could produce. Fingers crossed!

I agree with most of you that one of The Doctor Who Stets will pass review (most likely the Doc Who and Compainions). I am a fan of The Doctor but I think that the Birds would be a cool as a set too. The thing that I think seals the deal with the Doctor Who Project is that Lego announced that they would allow Doctor Who submissions.

Dr Who seems like a good choice, considering there are two projects, but I don't know which Doctor they would want to use? The bird project would also be good as it is a different kind of concept, hopefully with the recent sell outs they won't reject everything and maybe even consider picking more than one?

I can't imagine there's much overlap between LEGO's target demographic (ie: kids) and Doctor Who fans. I'm 20 and I've never watched Doctor Who (then again I'm also in US). My question would be who would buy that set? If the kids have never heard of the show, I'd imagine they won't be asking for this set. Would LEGO produce a set based mostly on it being marketable to a large demographic of fans, lots of whom have maybe never owned a LEGO set before?

Personally, I'd like to see the Apple Store (highly unlikely due to size and licensing) and either the Wayne Manor or X-Men mansion (also unlikely due to size). We'll end up getting the birds and Wall-E. Ideas is kind of disappointing in that the most boring (easiest) projects usually end up being produced. *sigh*

Isn't the Ghostbusters building in the next review set too? (the X-Mansion/Wayne Manor/Wall-E set)

As for the current review, it really seems like its a 75% chance of being the birds, maybe 20% Dr Who, 5% for the BTTF train, though that's probably being generous, and about a 0% chance of the Apple store or TBBT.

Predictions:
Birds: Push, then yes.
Apple store: No
BTTF: No
TBBT: No
One of the the Dr. Whos will pass. Glen's if they stay true to the "Ghostbusters rule".

@kitik,

thanks! There was a copy/paste error.

@Matticus_bricks:
You can't imagine there's much overlap between LEGO's target demographic (ie: kids) and fans of a children's TV show called Doctor Who?

I can ;-)

I beg to differ, Matticus_Bricks and kitik, There is a huge amount of overlap between the two fandoms. Last time I went to a Lego convention there must have been dozens of people in Doctor Who shirts, and at least 5 models with a TARDIS in it somewhere. Doctor Who is immensely popular and has a huge fan base, and they definitely have no problem licensing making Doctor Who merchandise and toys since there's so much of it out there, so I'd say it has by far the greatest chance of being produced. Birds on the other hand, although a great concept I'd love to see as a set, I think has zero chance of making it. It's just not that marketable, and since it's likely to not become a series of sets (the only ideas model to become a series was Minecraft), they'd only be able to choose one bird, and they can't really appeal to everybody with only 1 bird.

My guess -- birds FTW.

I agree with glenbricker, although the Big bang theory is very popular in the U.S., and doctor who in the U.K. (I live in the U.S. and watch both), it would be a big step for Lego to expand its mature audience. While doctor who has some gory aliens and stuff, Big bang theory getting produced is almost impossible, and I would have loved if it could have been produced.

The bird project would have to be built with the presenter of the idea, to decide which birds are produced.

I doubt they will start an official license with bttf, like Minecraft, i doubt its that popular a Cuusoo set. Unless, you gotta have them all...

and as for the apple store, glenbricker explained it.

honestly, though, i'd prefer Big bang theory, and if not, Doctor Who. Fingers crossed!

^^Why not? They're pretty small models. Although it would be a trick for the wings... the original birds with wings outstretched used a very clever but illegal trick for the natural shape.
I think it's mostly between Birds and the less minifigure-focused Doctor Who. If they both pass, that's be awesome.
Hey, in these articles, why do you keep mentioning Labyrinth Marble Maze? It's been up there more than two years, and there are plenty of things getting past halfway really fast.
So this review consists of:
Assault on Wayne Manor
The Invisible Hand
X-Mansion
WALL-E
Ghostbusters HQ
LEGO Lightsabers
Cavegod's AT-AT

Um... the most plausible one I see out of this is WALL-E, maybe the lightsabers.

All the people saying children don't watch Dr Who are simply mistaken. Look at the forum on LEGO's own website (which is exclusively populated by children) and you'll see children begging for a Dr Who theme all the time. I recently went to a Dr Who event at a local book/DVD store and, apart from the parents, I was the only adult there. Plenty of children absolutely adore Dr Who.

I'd want to see a whole Dr Who theme, not just one or two sets.

I think that there is quite a bit of overlap with the Doctor Who set more than the birds (while it might appeal to an AFOL like me, not to a child) if you've seen pictures from Doc Who conventions there are a heck of a lot of kids.

Whatever happens I will still have my Doctor Who set on my Desk. It was fun creating it, and designing a six sided console that was sturdy and looked good took many iterations. I learned quite a bit about photography, and as always Photoshop is your best friend. As for the next review I would buy WALL-E if chosen.

Hope for Invisible Hand or Ghostbusters HQ!

I think that Doctor Who would be the best decision for LEGO's target audience, and would also be the best choice for TFOLs and AFOLs. It really has something for everyone and is clearly the best option of these licensed themes. However, the bird project seems like it would be most likely to pass.

By the way, is there a specific rule about a "winner" of a review vs. multiple projects passing, or none at all?

I must have at least one Doctor Who Lego set. This needs to happen!!!

With all the comments about Doctor Who not fitting the target audience etc - the same could be, and was, said about the Delorean and Ghostbusters sets - how many kids watch classic 80's movies? But the sets brought in a lot of fans of back to the future and ghostbusters who weren't big Lego fans but had to own such an iconic set, and I think a tardis set would have the same response. Also, do not underestimate young children and doctor who. Or for that matter, older fans of Doctor Who with higher disposable income! I for one would buy a doctor who set on day one and could easily buy another dozen to gift out.

Wall-E, Wall-E, Wall-E!!!

When I was first introduced to the Cusoo/Ideas concept, it seemed to me like a brilliant idea that would surely produce fantastic samples of work that all LEGO fans would get super-excited about. But it's been a big disappointment so far, and the latest crop up for the next review isn't promising.

Both Doctor Who sets are completely forgettable, the birds things is a cool MOC but nothing to get excited about, I like the idea of the Big Bang Theory set but the source material is lamentable, the Modular Apple store is so bland and uniteresting I don't know how it ever got more than two dozen supporters, and the Jules Verne train is pretty cool, but the BTTF IP has no real cult following on the scale of Star Wars, Harry Potter, or LOTR and most people remember them as 'pretty good movies' rather than outright classics. I'll pass.

@Shib
Yea, definitely feels like something's happening behind the scenes regarding the Dr. Who announcement a few months back. Especially considering that the show's latest season is soon to premier, a Lego license announcement tie in looks very well timed.

As I am not a fan of the show, I don't especially want a Lego set released of it, but the surrounding circumstances are very suggestive.

The confusing thing, from my perspective, is what the set would become if the concept were chosen for production. The first to reach 10,000 - submitted by our author here - is kind of all over the place and open ended. Which is pretty antithetical to past successful proposals and what Lego asks for in Ideas proposals.

I already brought this up when the ban was lifted, and if one of them were to pass, I would be very convinced there are secret workings in the Ideas department.

For me, Ideas/Cuusoo is already soaked in unnecessary secrecy and disappointment, this might be the thing that discourages me from focusing any energy on Ideas entirely.

I think it will be

Wall-E Or the ghostbuster HQ

So, if they decide to make a Doctor Who set, how do they decide which of the two project creators gets the 1% profit? Will they just give each 1% or will only one person get it? I would hate to be the guy who doesn't get anything. Just seems like a reason not to do Doctor Who and go ahead with the birds project. It's much more original and they could always do Doctor Who sets. It's not like these designs are that original.

@keefyd I'd be outraged if the BBC refused licensing for a Doctor Who set due to not producing enough royalty monies - UK residents have to pay for a TV licence each year that the BBC soaks up. The Beeb get a free ride compared to the independent broadcasters.

My preference are the birds followed by WALL-E for next review. Quite like the sabers too but doubt they'd get past review. AT-AT is awesome but a pipe-dream - too many bricks. X-Men, Wayne Manor and Grievous' ship again too many bricks. Apple store - meh. It's a white box, much like the real stores, but uninspiring. Big Bang - cute MOC but it's just a sofa and some decor - boring

I hope the bird project will win

Just putting my two cents out there. I highly doubt the Doctor Who projects will make it through, regardless of popularity and appeal, because another construction toy currently has the rights to the property (I've seen the "sets" at Barnes & Noble, produced by Underground Toys).

I'm rooting for the Big Bang Theory (if they can get the license), BTTF Train, and Birds projects! Any of those would be must get for me!

LEGO will be crazy if the pass on the birds project. There are birdwatchers in every corner of the planet. This is a garenteed hit. There are way to less animals in creator sets anyway. So this will be a great addition.

I am prety sure Dr. Who will not pass. I have reservations about the popularity of the show worldwide. Before the first project here I have never heared of it. Neither did any of my friends or family. Maybe just not so populair in The Netherlands, but I feel it is a real Brittish thing. So not worldwide enough for LEGO.

Big bang. Just not enough fans wordwide. To specific.

Applestore is a no for obivious reasons.

The train may make it, as we have seen a BTTF set before. But I think LEGO is not interested in making to big a sets for Ideas. So I am gessing no. But would be happy to be proved wrong on this one.

Would be nice to see 2 project pass for a change.

I am putting my money on (and spending it if passed) the birds project.

I wouldn't like to be one of the poor devils that has to make these decisions. I love those birds ... but I'm also quite partial to the wonderful BTTF train ... not to mention that some Doctor Who LEGO would be fantastic (although the projects under review themselves are disappointing IMO)

For the next "wave" I'm really rooting for WALL•E ... not making that into a set should be considered punishable by law. (should such a terrible thing do come to pass I sincerely hope the original creator would be willing to share instructions so we can create the model ourselves)

Not a big fan of the LEGO treatment of the Marvel and DC properties, but both the X-Mansion and Wayne Manor are exceptionally beautiful creations. Again: I don't envy the task of having to decide on these things.

Doctor Who would seem to have a lot of cross-playability with pretty much any Lego sets produced to date due to it's format with the Doctor and companions appearing wherever and whenever in space and time.

Want underwater adventures - drop him into your Atlantis sets, want dinosaurs - drop him into your Dino sets. Aliens - Alien Conquest. Western - Lone Ranger sets. And so on. All that's really needed is a decent Tardis and some cool minifigures (and that will net you the 'want to have it on my shelf' crowd).

> Osuharding1: you're not alone! I also had never head of Dr Who or Back to the Future or Ghostbusters before coming accross it on Lego forums.
I'm surprised there are so many supporters amongst AFOLs for this: where do they get the time to watch all those TV shows? I'm busy Lego-ing all the time! ;-)

Honestly? Some of you guys have never heard of Doctor Who?
It has been going for over 50 years (on and off) and although it is British, made by the BBC, it is shown in over 50 countries. It has quite a cult following, though not nearly as big as Star Wars or Star Trek.
Like Taco Bill says, Doctor Who would not look out of place with any other Lego set. Literally !!

Doctor Who? Are you kidding? What a stupid idea for a LEGO set, + Doctor Who is a stupid show.

@TacoBill is right your can drop Doctor Who anywhere because of him traveling through time and space, also I think Doctor Who has more of an overall fan reach than BTTF of GB. GB and BTTF are very American centric films and don't really resonate with younger builders or the rest of the world. Doctor Who seems to cover America, Europe, and beyond. While Doctor Who is really more of a show for teenagers they are a huge demographic that Lego sometimes doesn't really cover.

One thing for all of those saying that there aren't enough Dr Who fans who are also fans of Lego to consider is just how fast the first Doctor Who project reached review, I don't remember exactly how quick it was but I'm certain it was one of the fastest ever, that's bound to count for something.
While I don't think it's a dead cert I'd be surprised if nothing comes of Dr Who Lego...The discussion about another construction toy having the licence is irrelevant when you consider the fact that TLG announced they would be accepting DW based projects, which had previously not been allowed, unless you have any inside information about the renewal of said licences.

One thing that the other construction toy Dr Who sets did that I thought was really clever was a set of all the Doctors with accessories and nothing else. It meant that people could buy the sets and use whichever Doctor they preferred in those sets and those that just liked to have figures could get the instant satisfaction of having every doctor mini figure for about £20.00.

Here's hoping something is going to happen soon. They've gone nearly a whole week without approving any new projects. There's just a small trickle that have appeared today - interestingly they seem to show up as brand new but with only 364 days to go, not 365.

I'm rooting for the birds. I think they look great, and would love to have a collection of them. However, I have serious concerns about their stability. Stability of the model is a big deal for TLG, they take it very serious. Looking at some of the bird models, I don't see how the photographer was able to keep those things standing. They look very fragile....at least the legs and perches.

@Castleguy121 - That's what I assumed, but wasn't interested enough to look into it, worth pointing out to all the people who seem to think thats a reason that the Dr Who projects can't get through.

@woosterlegos - I completely agree with you, while the birds look amazing I just can't see TLG passing them because the requirement for stability and playability which has been constantly reinforced on the previous reviews.

Invisible Hand or Birds.

Not only license but also size matters.I think BTTF's train is most possible,the bird project is just somewhat lack of playabillity,unless LEGO is going to make it like Research Institude.

I almost don't see any of these things passing. Only because the Birds don't offer much playability, but I guess maybe IDEAS isn't for playability like traditional sets. Creator animals are fun. IDEAS animals would be display only. Is that what LEGO wants?

I have heard of Dr Who, but only because someone at work talked about it. I watched part of one episode and couldn't get into it. With that said, if the figures look cool, I may consider buying it anyway. I love new head and torso prints. (And I prefer licensed skin tone).

I don't see the train working out or any of the large buildings (next time) due to size/price.

I hope for ether the BTTF Train or Dr Who. But if the birds pass I do not say no. It looks very good to been made if Lego. I like the Big Bang series, but I do not think the set looked that good to be made into a Lego set.

@Shib um, there is no requirement for stability whatsoever for any *project*. There is only a requirement for stability for the final *set*. And every single project that's turned into a set gets rebuilt from scratch by a LEGO designer, so that's their problem. (And to them, it's not even a problem but their whole job.)

If a bird is not stable enough, they will just fix it to make it stable. Simple as that.

It will be either Birds or a Dr. Who set (or possibly both). Birds is a somewhat easy one. The Lego Designers have long loved it. They like good organic stuff. It's visually distinct and striking. And there are no licensing hang ups. Only down side is it took a long time to 10k so might not have as enthusiastic a fan base. But at this stage How much does that even matter given how fast the last 2 unlicensed niche Ideas sets took to sell out.

Dr. Who has some hidden gotchas that we do not always realize. Not the least of which is does the BBC want to sell a limited run 1 shot license instead of something broader? Honestly Dr. Who might be a better subject for a 1 and done regular small run retail line with 3 or 4 sets than just a single Ideas set?

I agree with the general consensus that the next two are going to be chosen from Birds, Dr. Who, and Wall-E. Personally, I want Wall-E and Birds, especially Wall-E!

As a AFFOL I would like to see the Bird Project win or second pick the Wall-E guy because it looks really cute. (I'm a girl after all, can't deny it...) .

I don't care for any TV series so for me I wouldn't buy a Dr. Who set (or other TV show builds). The Apple store looks not good enough in my opinion but I guess I would buy it anyway because it is a modular building.

@Schwallex in the review videos they gave repeatedly stated that stability is an criteria used in the review. Yes they can change it for the final product, but I can't image how they would and keep the look of those birds. Add into that the stink that people were kicking up over the use of the barrel pieces in the Exo-suit, which was done to improve stability, I don't think TLG will want a massive redesign to a display only set.

It has been asked why I have brought up the Labyrinth Marble Maze a few times recently in reference to the review.

While I truly think the project is awesome, I am not mentioning this out of self interest but calling it out because it is now the most supported active project, and also the only project with more than 9000 support.

Cheers!

@Shib

The main reason for Dr. Who reaching 10,000 so quickly is because of an email sent out through a Dr. Who fan site. I'm sure Glen can elaborate.

Not that that's foul play, not by a long shot. But the speed of ascent is definitely not because Dr. Who is just SO popular.

You remember Purdue Pete, right? Similar deal.

@Faefrost:
Your comment about the possibility of the BBC declining to sign Doctor Who for a one-off set is interesting. I hadn't thought of it before, but like you said it's reasonable that BBC would rather do a whole run of sets instead. I do think we will eventually see a Doctor Who license in one form or another.

Well my thought is BBC is just coming off of Character Builder having the full blown Dr. Who line. That is how they may prefer to view and license the property. Plus as I have said before the BBC is known to be a bit of a pain to deal with on licensing and merchandising. They are if not a government agency as close as you can get. They are notorious for not having a firm grasp on the actual marketable value of their properties and tend to over and under estimate wildly. I suspect that the fan interest and speed at which these climbed the Ideas ranks would prompt some BBC mid level marketing beaurocrats to AIM unrealistically high.

I'm just saying don't assume Dr. Who is an easy choice because it has a rabid fan base. It has some back end issues that can yet cause problems. And if it fails review it does not mean Lego is the worst company ever. It would likely be that Lego and the BBC had different goals, prices or uses for the property in mind.

Personally I would love to see the Big Bang Theory, it's one of my favorite shows.

It would be great to see the apartment set with Leonard and Sheldon with all there superhero and star wars stuff all over their apartment. Using the micro figs for statues is brilliant.

Another cool thing to add to this, if it gets made is Sheldon building the Lego Death Star. Not sure if they said what one he was building, but, I think Leonard said it took him 4 months to build. I'll have to see if I can find the episode. Plus their was an episode where Sheldon is home with his mom in Texas and he was building a classic space set.

But, while this is my favorite of the sets in review, licensing and subject matter may have doom this before it had a chance. We will have to wait and see.

Jamie

@Glen: That's true, but there are projects like the Helicarrier that are not quite as close, but moving a LOT faster. But, thanks! And that would be awesome.

@tne358: WALL-E isn't in this review. I think you're confusing the sets in review and the sets waiting to enter review.

While birds would be kinda cool, I really think it would be a big miss for the target demographic. I really hope that Doctor Who passes, as it's loved all over the world by all ages.

I have a huge, huge, huge preference.
Matticus_Bricks. No question Doctor Who fits to the demographic. I have three kids huge on Who here. It is no worse fit to demographic than say Lord of the Rings.

It might be Birds and Wall-E, but a UCS AT-AT will end up being produced

I wouldn't be surprised if BBT get rejected for the reason that it's not a children-oriented license. But I think most of us should agree that this design is pretty welldone and most AFOLs woul also love this license.

BTTF train would have no problem in license or marketing (to normal train FOLs), but this would determine whether TLC is willing to introduce multiple Ideas products from the same license (while Minecraft sets are all designed by TLG after the first one).

The current Dr Who problem isn't whether it would get LEGO sets, but whether only one project from the two would be chosen, just like the GB case. The best result is that there are two sets based on the same license coming out, but TLG seem not willing to do so.

I do like to see a Modular Apple Store, but for me personally, sorry, I think it's not the best Apple Store LEGO can make.

On one hand it is kind of futile trying to guess which ideas will get accepted because we don't really know what's going on behind the scenes, do we? On the other hand it is fun to speculate...
So here are my thoughts. If I were Lego, I would use the 'Ideas' line to showcase what else you can do with Lego (and obviously aiming to sell lots of these sets). In some way smaller sets are better suited for this I think (because it is somewhat more impressive to do something 'unique' with 300 rather than 3000 pieces and people may be more likely to just buy a smaller set if they think it's cool).
From the ideas currently under review I think the birds would be best able to capture this 'hey see what else you can do with Lego'. From the follow-up review, I'd say Wall-E and the lightsabers do this.

Dr Who might rather be something for a run of sets as others pointed out.

@picnicbasketsam I totally get that TLG only picks one set per review, and that Wall-E is in the next review. I'm just saying that Dr. Who has a strong chance of being chosen in this review, or if put on hold in this review, being picked in the next review. So it could be Birds this review & Dr Who next review, Dr. Who this review & Wall-E next review, or Birds this review & Wall-E next review. I tried saying this in fewer words before, so I'm sorry if I caused confusion. this is what I had meant.

People saying Dr who is as much for the target demographic as Lord of the rings should take note how horrible they sold. They quit making it after two waves. Would Dr who sell any better, I don't know.

But I've been pretty disappointed with everything lego puts out anymore. But then again, I'm not 8.

@Sethro3 I agree, I was surprised by The Lord of The Rings theme because the kids who play with Lego today were probably born when the movies came out, and they weren't even directed at a kid audience to begin with. Lord of the Rings sets may have done better back when the movies were new and relevant.

Anyway, I'm not saying that kids don't like Doctor Who, I'm just skeptical that it's something that would appeal to enough kids to make marketable. I thought it was something that had more of a cult following of geeky adults, along the lines of Star Trek. Don't forget that Lego is first and foremost a toy, made to appeal to what's really hot with the kids.

This is the first round where I honestly don't really care about any of the models. If I had to choose, I suppose I'd go with Bird project. We still have no clue whether Lego would ever green light more than one, do we? It's disappointing to think that one might not make it simply because another one does.

It is probably better to think of LotR as a 5 wave Middle Earth theme. Much like the first few years of Star Wars where we saw more Prequels and some Original Trilogy stuff. The themes are probably just split by name for marketing and back end business purposes. And 5 waves is a great run for a licensed theme.

Of the stuff that is just entering Review? Wall-E I would think is the leader, not just for the project itself, but the story behind the project. When the creator of the project is one of the creative developers of the movie, and used the Lego builds to help him design, yeah that's hard to compete with. (See Curriousity Rover) the Lightsabers are also a potential candidate just for what a nice and different display set they are. As someone said they look at Lego in a new or different way.

The rest really have virtually no chance at all. I will give some faint chance to the Batman Wayne Manor, just because I think they really love that triple hinge dollhouse design.

Also, for those who believe the Big Bang Theory project has no chance due to the mature nature of the show, I would point out that Lego has produced a set and minifigures based on the Simpsons, a cartoon for mature audiences. Heck, two of the characters, Itchy and Scratchy, always end up try to (and succeeding to) kill each other, and they were made into minifigures!

Most of those sets would be pretty cool to see, but, for me, I'd only buy The Big Bang Theory one, regardless of the price. ...I like that living room build. Nothing against any of the other sets, but I wouldn't pay for any of them, cool to look at, but not buying.

It wouldn't surprise me if they all get rejected and then in 2015 Lego release a Dr Who set on the grounds of it was already set for production as they had the licencing issues resolved. Its been done too many times that way already with licenced sets.

I expect the food truck will go the same way, now that someone's shown them how to do it. Though that will be picked up on two fronts, a themed and a plain version.