Darth malak

And all the non nerds say

...who?

The real ones be flipping down their wallets for this one

Not sure what the point of the R2-D2 set is when we have 75308 (which is already a remake). I suppose the inclusion of Darth Malek is to entice people to buy a set they would've had no interest in otherwise.

The Tantive IV is a nice diorama set, but pricey.

Meh to the R2-D2 remake. But that's ok. Plenty of other great UCS still out there.

those r the most random minifigures to be in the sets but they r AWESOME. Just wish that was another captian rex in a cheaper set... I wonder if 25 is printed on their backs like for the 20th annaversary

I LOVE IT

The sets themselves are pretty "meh".
I have 2 UCS R2-D2's, so this one doesn't really top those. And the hallway scene is kind of a rehash of the one from the Disney+ show. I'd be more into it if it was a proper diorama.

The only reason I'm getting these are the minifigures. Specially Darth Malak.
And I suspect so will many others.

@legoluver777 said:
"those r the most random minifigures to be in the sets but they r AWESOME. Just wish that was another captian rex in a cheaper set... I wonder if 25 is printed on their backs like for the 20th annaversary"

No the back printing is like how you would expect. Malak has robes printed on his back and Fives has his armor continuing oh his back. The only reason why the 20th anniversary figs had the logo was because they were almost exact remakes. These are not.

Those boxes seem sorta obnoxious - I wish they’d done the 1999 boxes like they did for the 20th anniversary

@legoluver777 said:
"those r the most random minifigures to be in the sets but they r AWESOME. Just wish that was another captian rex in a cheaper set... I wonder if 25 is printed on their backs like for the 20th annaversary"

There are rumours of a Micro Fighter with Rex. Hopefully it's true.

@MegaBlocks said:
"Not sure what the point of the R2-D2 set is when we have 75308 (which is already a remake). I suppose the inclusion of Darth Malek is to entice people to buy a set they would've had no interest in otherwise.

The Tantive IV is a nice diorama set, but pricey."

Well, the R2-D2 is smaller and presumably cheaper than the 2021 set, which to me at least is a huge plus.

@MegaBlocks said:
"Not sure what the point of the R2-D2 set is when we have 75308 (which is already a remake). I suppose the inclusion of Darth Malek is to entice people to buy a set they would've had no interest in otherwise.

The Tantive IV is a nice diorama set, but pricey."

The point is like you said, baiting with rare minifig, common in licensed themes.

Honestly, those character choices seem a little strange to me. Yeah, Fives is a well-known character within TCW circles, but not really in the grander Star Wars fandom. And even less so with Malak.

notice how that anniversary shine they applied to everything magically makes the modern lego box art not look like a piece of garbage

Drat. I already have 75308, but I *really* want that Malak.

Now all we need is Lego to create an Ebon Hawk set, really hope those figures aren't too expensive on Bricklink :)

@Your_Future_President said:
"Darth malak

And all the non nerds say

...who?

The real ones be flipping down their wallets for this one "

As if the Revan figure wasn't expensive enough already.

I'm all over these for sure!
Now fetch me Admiral Thrawn and the new Sail Barge..

In the third Tantive IV picture, are those fleet troopers dead? If so, is this the first time LEGO has portrayed a non-skeletal corpse?

Sorry not sorry but I don't think these special anniversary figures will appeal to your average SW fan. Rabid fanboys/fangirls maybe.

As someone who didn't get the UCS R2 because it was too big and pricey, but loves BD1 (who's currently keeping Wall-E company), I'm super excited for this R2, looks to be a nice scale to match my two droids!

And the Tantive scene looks so much better than Dark Trooper Attack (75324)

@Zander said:
"In the third Tantive IV picture, are those fleet troopers dead? If so, is this the first time LEGO has portrayed a non-skeletal corpse?"

Nahhh they're just resting

@MegaBlocks said:
"Not sure what the point of the R2-D2 set is when we have 75308 (which is already a remake). I suppose the inclusion of Darth Malek is to entice people to buy a set they would've had no interest in otherwise.

The Tantive IV is a nice diorama set, but pricey."

The general point is to have a version available on store shelves (as opposed to Lego.com only) which costs less than half the price. Sure, the model is slightly worse with the attachments instead of the functions actually built into the model itself, and stickers instead of brick-built detailing, but I'm far more willing to pay $100 for this instead of $240 for the full UCS.

Also it should scale with the leaked C-3PO model I imagine.

@Your_Future_President said:
"Darth malak

And all the non nerds say

...who?

The real ones be flipping down their wallets for this one "

ANd the smart ones buy the set and sell the MF to the nerds for almost as much as they paid.

Oh, cool, a brick-built R2-D2 that's smaller than the one that's currently available... AND IT COMES WITH DARTH MALAK?! Gimme gimme gimme!

@ecleme11 said:
" @Zander said:
"In the third Tantive IV picture, are those fleet troopers dead? If so, is this the first time LEGO has portrayed a non-skeletal corpse?"

Nahhh they're just resting"
They're pining for the fjords.

@karrit: Malak is from the video game Knights of the Old Republic, not from any animated show. I'm not familiar with Fives.

I think I actually like this R2 more than the bigger 75308 one. And like someone already mentioned, it looks like it would fit well with other droid sets like BB-8, D-O and BD-1, even when the scales obviously don't match. The one thing I really don't like are the stickers on the front, white-on-white will always be problematic, and did they even try to match the blue? And unfortunately, those decorations are pretty essential for a R2...

And I have no clue who Darth Malak is or what his connection with R2 is, but it seems like a fine minifig. I would have much preferred to not have that minifig but printed pieces instead.

@TheOtherMike:
Fives first appeared in The Clone Wars episode 1.5, appropriately, when Rex and Cody are left with just a rookie squad to help fight off a droid army. He chose his call sign because his serial number was CT-27-5555. In total, he's appeared in 17 episodes of The Clone Wars.

@Your_Future_President said:
"Darth malak

And all the non nerds say

...who?

The real ones be flipping down their wallets for this one "

Malak is not even an obscure character in general SW terms, since he appeared in what was arguably the most popular SW videogame of all time. If, let's say, they had included a Thrackan Sal-Solo or Traest Kre'fey figure, while awesome, that would have warranted a "who?" from casuals.

@legoluver777 said:
"those r the most random minifigures to be in the sets but they r AWESOME. Just wish that was another captian rex in a cheaper set... I wonder if 25 is printed on their backs like for the 20th annaversary"

there will be a microfighter with captain rex on june first. $13

@Ephseb said:
" @Your_Future_President said:
"Darth malak

And all the non nerds say

...who?

The real ones be flipping down their wallets for this one "

Malak is not even an obscure character in general SW terms, since he appeared in what was arguably the most popular SW videogame of all time. If, let's say, they had included a Thrackan Sal-Solo or Traest Kre'fey figure, while awesome, that would have warranted a "who?" from casuals."

Having never played SW video games he's extremely obscure to me. Sorry to all you younger people & those into anything & everything as long as it's labeled SW but this is definitely reaching too far in my opinion. And for the record I've been a huge SW fan going back before the first movie even opened in theaters. Even attended SW Celebrations back in the early days before Disney took over.

@karrit said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @karrit said:
"Sorry not sorry but I don't think these special anniversary figures will appeal to your average SW fan. Rabid fanboys/fangirls maybe."

Is that not the point? Characters that more casual Star Wars fans want are already available in most cases, so including lesser known characters for the anniversary seems reasonable."

Lesser known is fine but these are more obscure at least to me. I'm not into all the animated SW so these characters mean nothing to me and are not something that would entice me to purchase these sets."

would recommend viewing of animated star wars

Lord Malak! The original meatbag!

Now please give me an Ebon Hawk set.
And HK.

@CapnRex101 said:
" @karrit said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @karrit said:
"Sorry not sorry but I don't think these special anniversary figures will appeal to your average SW fan. Rabid fanboys/fangirls maybe."

Is that not the point? Characters that more casual Star Wars fans want are already available in most cases, so including lesser known characters for the anniversary seems reasonable."

Lesser known is fine but these are more obscure at least to me. I'm not into all the animated SW so these characters mean nothing to me and are not something that would entice me to purchase these sets."

I group Star Wars characters into four categories, where LEGO is concerned. There are thirty or so main characters from across the film series and The Mandalorian, then more incidental characters from those sources, most of whom are regularly available in LEGO sets, but not all. Below that is a tier of major characters from slightly less ubiquitous properties, like animated series and video games, which is where I would put Malak and Fives. At the bottom are truly obscure characters and LEGO sometimes includes them as a bonus in larger sets, like aliens in the Mos Eisley Cantina, but rarely.

To me, the lower two categories are a worthwhile source because LEGO already provides pretty comprehensive coverage of more widely known characters.

I ask this because I am genuinely interested to hear from those who are not necessarily invested in all aspects of Star Wars, but who would you have chosen for the anniversary range?"

EXACTLY
no one saw momaw badon in the cantina or aldar beedo in the podracer sets and thought I NEED THOSE

but i would have probably chosen
george lucas as the pantoran chairman
fives
migs mayfeld (refinery armor)
lando in han solo's clothes
unfinished c-3po
boss nass

@Zander said:
"In the third Tantive IV picture, are those fleet troopers dead? If so, is this the first time LEGO has portrayed a non-skeletal corpse?"

One of them is raising an arm so I think they’re supposed to be alive, just cowering in fear or something, as opposed to the film where they’re absolutely dead

Buy Darth Malak for only 175 Bucks! 1000+ free random pieces included!

I do hope Malak wont be ridiculously expensive on bricklink.

I think it's very strange including such obscure characters with such iconic subjects. You know both of these models from watching literally five minutes of Star Wars, and you get some fan fiction sith lord and a random clone trooper. I imagine these anniversary figures will be sold in two different price classes on the aftermarket: Very expensively on Bricklink, and for a dollar or two at fleamarkets...

Thank you, LEGO, for putting a new, unique character never done before, in a completely unrelated set that has absolutely nothing to do with minifig scale. Saves me some money and regret of not having Revan to pair with Malak.
As for the "they're too obscure" comments, no - the fact you've only seen and recognize the original trilogy characters doesn't automatically mean everything else is too obscure. Especially for the kids that some people still pretend these sets are aimed at.

The R2-D2 set is cool but that's probably some of the most egregious Minifigure bait I've seen. Malak as a Minifigure is great but what the heck does he have to do with R2-D2?

We should just get a UCS Kotor Ebon Hawk with related characters.

I’m a pretty big Star Wars nerd and would consider each of these fairly obscure. I’m okay with the concept, but I would have at least tried to match the special figure with the time period of the set.

Only fans care what character it is but for most children will only see if it looks cool, they like it, they want it, regardless of knowing about the license. That's how I was when I was young. Even now I buy some Ninjago sets without watching the show.

To those saying Malak is obscure,
Sure, but no more obscure than 7672 or 7664 and they were full sets, not just a bonus figure.

Fives isn't that obscure though, he is a main character in the Clone Wars TV Show, which (maybe excluding Mando) is the biggest star wars TV Show, just because some people don't watch animation doesn't mean it isn't big.

@J0rgen said:
"some fan fiction sith lord...."
I think you mean the Big Bad and final boss of one of the most popular Star Wars video games ever.

It may be an ‘obscure’ Malak minifig, but at least it wasn’t a sequel trilogy minifig. Thank goodness for that.

@yellowcastle said:
" @Reventon said:
"It may be an ‘obscure’ Malak minifig, but at least it wasn’t a sequel trilogy minifig. Thank goodness for that."
Finn with leaky hoses would probably not have helped increase sales.
"

They already made that fig. Came with a book, I think.

I've lurked here for years, and I want to make my first comment praising LEGO for doing something I never thought they'd do. ARC Trooper Fives is Real!

Does anyone else feel threatened that R2 is trying to simultaneously grab and shoot me with his nipples?!

That R2-D2 is a bit "Malibu Stacey with new hat"

"It’s just not okay to put a super-rare minifigure into a super high price point, because not everybody can afford it, and those minifigures will be super-sought-after."

But it's okay if it's at a semi-high price point in a non-minifigure centered set? Still salty about the UCS Republic Gunship, this is a blatant cash-grab from Lego since I'm sure they know R2 will sell poorly.

Hallway diorama is literally just a Dark Trooper Attack rebuild.

SELL PROPER PREQUEL/EXTENDED UNIVERSE SETS YOU COWARDS, this is why I kept the Rogue Shadow...

@bnic99 said:
"I do hope Malak wont be ridiculously expensive on bricklink."

Keep on hoping.

When Star Wars went away by 1985 and everyone except kids like me with the VHS playing constantly kept it alive. Then the Star Wars RPG, novels, and comics came out in the 1990s, the new and obscure characters and stories were FANTASTIC for the imagination. I get so excited to learn about new locations and new people in the Star Wars universe, even today. These may not be unknown to me, but to see another fan discover them FOR THE FIRST TIME is an outstanding move.

Bravo, Lego.

I actually think this new R2-D2 looks better than the UCS ones! It may not have the same functionality, but this is another good example of a downscaled set.

I do think it’s odd to have two large-scale Artoos on shelves at the same time, but I have a feeling this new set is meant to pair with another buildable character that’s rumored for this year…

@MegaBlocks said:
"Not sure what the point of the R2-D2 set is when we have 75308 (which is already a remake). I suppose the inclusion of Darth Malek is to entice people to buy a set they would've had no interest in otherwise."

Many cannot afford the current R2-D2 and this one is more in line with the size of the other buildable droids of late (BD-1, BB-8, and D-O) and will look great when added to the collection.

I'm very disappointed that they are placing these characters in completely unrelated sets. I don't want a diorama set yet alone one of A New Hope, but I want Fives. Getting him off Bricklink will probably be a no-go, he'll probably be the same price as the set. Basically I feel stuck either buying stuff I don't want to justify the price, or buying an overpriced figure. [Not that LEGO SW sets themselves aren't overpriced already.]

@jkb said:
" @bnic99 said:
"I do hope Malak wont be ridiculously expensive on bricklink."

Keep on hoping."
The Malak without grooves should be more affordable.

Why is every year some kind of anniversary with Star Wars?

Buckle in!

2024 25th Anniversary Phantom Menace
2025 45th Anniversary Empire Strikes Back
2026 10th Anniversary Rogue One
2027 50th Anniversary Star Wars
2028 45th Anniversary Return of the Jedi
2029 10th Anniversary The Mandalorian
2030 25th Anniversary Revenge of the Sith
2031 10th Anniversary The Bad Batch
2032 10th Anniversary Andor
2033 15th Anniversary Solo

@bondre said:
" @karrit said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @karrit said:
"Sorry not sorry but I don't think these special anniversary figures will appeal to your average SW fan. Rabid fanboys/fangirls maybe."
Is that not the point? Characters that more casual Star Wars fans want are already available in most cases, so including lesser known characters for the anniversary seems reasonable."
Lesser known is fine but these are more obscure at least to me. I'm not into all the animated SW so these characters mean nothing to me and are not something that would entice me to purchase these sets."
would recommend viewing of animated star wars"
I strongly second this recommendation. I was initially sceptical of The Clone Wars, but it contains genuine brilliance; google a "essentials episodes" list and watch those if you don't have time for all of them.

I was even more sceptical of Rebels, but I'm glad I was persuaded to watch it! It's possibly even better and more emotional than TCW; not ashamed to say I cried. And it's essential viewing before Ahsoka.

My brain doesn't handle computer games very well, so Malak is lost on me. However, if they're going for obscure characters: we've had enough large-scale R2s, so had this been a buildable Bee-Tee with Doctor Aphra & Triple Zero minifigs, I wouldn't be able to pay fast enough...

@CapnRex101:
I could use a new Zam Wessell minifig.

@Ephseb said:
" @Your_Future_President said:
"Darth malak

And all the non nerds say

...who?

The real ones be flipping down their wallets for this one "

Malak is not even an obscure character in general SW terms, since he appeared in what was arguably the most popular SW videogame of all time. If, let's say, they had included a Thrackan Sal-Solo or Traest Kre'fey figure, while awesome, that would have warranted a "who?" from casuals."

I mean absolutely no offense by this, but...

https://xkcd.com/2501/

@bnic99 said:
"I do hope Malak wont be ridiculously expensive on bricklink."

I heard they’re merging all the Darth characters into ‘Darth’ so that you have to ask for which variant you want.

@OGELEGO said:
"The Antilles minifig seems to be the same one from TANTIVE IV (2019). Out of those 6 figs there, only one will remain exclusive, which makes me a bit sad, I really liked the idea of Antilles being exclusive to that ship in that iteration :-( Since this new set is slated to cost 50EUR, the price of Antilles will plummet :-( :-("
Surely the price of a minifig going down is a good thing...? That way, more people who want it can have it.

@OGELEGO said:
"The Antilles minifig seems to be the same one from TANTIVE IV (2019). Out of those 6 figs there, only one will remain exclusive, which makes me a bit sad, I really liked the idea of Antilles being exclusive to that ship in that iteration :-( Since this new set is slated to cost 50EUR, the price of Antilles will plummet :-( :-("

That sounds good if it is the case. There is no reason for LEGO to keep figures exclusive once the original set they were in is no longer for sale.

@MeisterDad said:
" @bnic99 said:
"I do hope Malak wont be ridiculously expensive on bricklink."

I heard they’re merging all the Darth characters into ‘Darth’ so that you have to ask for which variant you want."

A bit like ordering a "Coke" in the United States South.

@MegaBlocks said:
"It always disappoints me when Lego release a lesser model, instead of striving for improvements."

That would only ever lead to bigger and more expensive sets. Unless there is a huge improvement on an existing expensive set, an even more expensive one is not likely to sell so well. Whereas a smaller one at a lower price point brings in people that couldn't justify the cost of the previous expensive one. Sometimes it is good to reset and make sets for different people.

@Rimefang said:
" @MeisterDad said:
" @bnic99 said:
"I do hope Malak wont be ridiculously expensive on bricklink."

I heard they’re merging all the Darth characters into ‘Darth’ so that you have to ask for which variant you want."

A bit like ordering a "Coke" in the United States South."

Ha, ha! That reminds of the first time I heard a Southerner (especially Georgia) order a "Pepsi Coke." I thought I was losing my mind.

@CapnRex101 said:
" @karrit said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @karrit said:
"Sorry not sorry but I don't think these special anniversary figures will appeal to your average SW fan. Rabid fanboys/fangirls maybe."

Is that not the point? Characters that more casual Star Wars fans want are already available in most cases, so including lesser known characters for the anniversary seems reasonable."

Lesser known is fine but these are more obscure at least to me. I'm not into all the animated SW so these characters mean nothing to me and are not something that would entice me to purchase these sets."

I group Star Wars characters into four categories, where LEGO is concerned. There are thirty or so main characters from across the film series and The Mandalorian, then more incidental characters from those sources, most of whom are regularly available in LEGO sets, but not all. Below that is a tier of major characters from slightly less ubiquitous properties, like animated series and video games, which is where I would put Malak and Fives. At the bottom are truly obscure characters and LEGO sometimes includes them as a bonus in larger sets, like aliens in the Mos Eisley Cantina, but rarely.

To me, the lower two categories are a worthwhile source because LEGO already provides pretty comprehensive coverage of more widely known characters.

I ask this because I am genuinely interested to hear from those who are not necessarily invested in all aspects of Star Wars, but who would you have chosen for the anniversary range?"

I feel this might have been an opportunity for Lego to go back and revisit some figures from the films who haven't been released since the early 2000s like Zam Wessell or figures who have only previously been available in a UCS set like Bail Organa

@yellowcastle said:
" @AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
" @yellowcastle said:
"Buckle in!

2024 25th Anniversary Phantom Menace
2025 45th Anniversary Empire Strikes Back
2026 10th Anniversary Rogue One
2027 50th Anniversary Star Wars
2028 45th Anniversary Return of the Jedi
2029 10th Anniversary The Mandalorian
2030 25th Anniversary Revenge of the Sith
2031 10th Anniversary The Bad Batch
2032 10th Anniversary Andor
2033 15th Anniversary Solo"

You forget: 2025 is also Revenge of the Sith 20th Anniversary and The Force Awakens 10th Anniversary. Really hope we get a UT-AT w/ Galactic Marines and an MBS Maz Kanata's Castle!"
I went with 1 event per year and while I really enjoyed The Force Awakens, I couldn’t risk anyone wanting to talk about The Last Jedi. It’s just too risky. I’m similarly careful with the Dial of Destiny, the FOURTH Indiana Jones movie.
"

I thought they only made two Indiana Jones films: Raiders of the Lost Ark and Last Crusade.

@magni_nominis_umbra said:
" @Brickalili said:
" @Zander said:
"In the third Tantive IV picture, are those fleet troopers dead? If so, is this the first time LEGO has portrayed a non-skeletal corpse?"

One of them is raising an arm so I think they’re supposed to be alive, just cowering in fear or something, as opposed to the film where they’re absolutely dead"

While its arguable the two troopers are yet to shuffle off this mortal coil, The only interaction between Vader and Antilles that ends with him being rag dolled through the air at knee height (as pictured) most definitely involves a corpse...
And to answer @Zander 's question (with another question) - Wasn't there some controversy a few years ago regarding a Harry Potter set that depicted a fatal engagement?"

The images for 77015 show Satipo impaled on spikes.

@bananaworld said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"I thought they only made two Indiana Jones films: Raiders of the Lost Ark and Last Crusade."
Wash your mouth out. Temple of Doom was zarking amazing (even if it's a little too 'spiritual' for TLG...)
"

I can't sit through anything but the Shanghai scenes. They get on the plane, I turn it off... It's just not my thing. The film is much too dark, and Willie Scott gives me a headache with all that dang screaming...

@Murdoch17 said:
"Willie Scott gives me a headache with all that dang screaming..."
There's a reason that was her ability in the Lego Indiana Jones video game.

@bnic99 said:
"To those saying Malak is obscure,
Sure, but no more obscure than 7672 or 7664 and they were full sets, not just a bonus figure.
"

Perhaps some people find a whole set based on an “obscure” subject easier to swallow than one minifigure in an unrelated set?

@ronvining:
I kinda feel like, at this point, they've realized they don't need to do SW CMFs. They have enough sets coming out every year, that tie in to enough different settings, that there's always a way to work in any specific minifig. This isn't really true for the other IP-based CMF lines they've done, especially stuff like Looney Tunes and Muppets, where they haven't done any tie-in sets at all. Marvel has mostly stuck to What If... stories. TLM, TLM2, and two waves of TLBM didn't come close to exhausting the options for those three films, while production of sets based on them was time-restricted. DC probably could have been worked into regular sets, but they've really scaled back their output since that wave released.