Good Ideas
Posted by Huw,
It's been a while since we promoted any LEGO Ideas projects, so going forwards I'll try to do so every few weeks or so.
Today I'm highlighting projects that have either caught my eye recently or that we've been asked to promote by their creators.
Throughout this article you can click on the headings to view and support the projects at the LEGO Ideas website. You'll need a LEGO ID and be signed in with it to do so.
Wreck it Ralph by Built_with_LEGO
This project needs to accrue 750 supporters in 7 days in order to earn additional time. Based on the popular Disney film, it builds one of the many tower blocks Ralph wrecks in the titular game. It features arcade machines at the back and scenes from the film inside.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by FACEBRICKUP
There are quite a few projects based on Roald Dahl's classic book, or the film version of it, but this colourful and delicious looking one currently has the most supporters.
The project proposes minifigures for Charlie Bucket, Willy Wonka, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teevee and two Oompa-Loompas, and features a chocolate waterfall which can be motorised.
Succulent Garden by Succulent Joe
In my previous house we used to have a conservatory that got very hot in the summer which was ideal for growing cacti and other succulents, so this project appeals to me. The arrangement of four different varieties in an attractive pot captures their beauty and form perfectly.
I would not be surprised if LEGO has something like this planned for its new botanical collection but don't let that put you off supporting it.
My LEGO Totoro by legotruman
Studio Ghibli films provide a wealth of material that LEGO could draw upon and it's criminal that it has not yet done so.
This project features the cat bus and Totoro from one of the Japanese studio's best animations, My Neighbour Totoro.
Ancient Greek temple by HP_Brixxter
This small temple, while not entirely architecturally accurate, is nevertheless an excellent model of a beautiful building from a period of history that has been almost completely ignored by LEGO. Vote for it and perhaps that can be put right!
Elves' Toy Factory by STL Brick Co
This is an attractive model by Brickset reader STL_Brick_Co but one which, to be honest, does not really have much chance of success given that it's conceptually similar to last year's Winter Village set, and LEGO has its own agenda for that line of models. Nevertheless, if you like it, show your support, and who knows what might happen!
Huwbot by Ereo Okkonen
Last, but certainly not least, let's not forget Huwbot! As you know, he lives in the Brickset server, picking the random set of the day and keeping things ticking over.
He reached 2000 supporters in no time but voting has slowed recently, so if you haven't already done so, please support him now!
If you'd like your project featured, let us know via the contact form below although I won't guarantee to include them all.
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46 comments on this article
Isn’t this FlagsNZ’s job?
Thank you for the share! Please Lego Community can you support my Wreck it Ralph Idea! It’s so close to 5,000 and then I get the additional days to make it up to 10,000!
I see a lot of good builds but only one that would be a great set
Personally, I am a fan of the temple, garden,Huwbot, and the Charlie and the chocolate factory one. However, if they C&CF one is created as a set, I hope it includes mini figures based on both movies(the Johnny Depp one and the Gene Wilder one). Although they all would be good sets.
Also, there was a Nikola Tesla's Laboratory idea by Wild Bear Bricks that would make a great set based on one of history's under-appreciated inventors.
QUESTION: If a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set is releases, which movie do you think it should be based on: the Johnny Depp one or the Gene Wilder one?
Thank you for including a mix of both licenses and originals!
Personally I would like a wreck it Ralph set. It’s my favorite Disney movie by far! I would be interested to see how they do Ralph though. I usually picture them as a normal-sized minifigures with gauntlet pieces in tan. At least, that’s assuming big figs and new parts are off the table.
Any bets on if Huwbot becomes a set, that it will break the 10 year wait and no repeats rules to repeatedly feature itself on RSOTD?
Huwbot might get my vote if he starts picking pre 1978 sets. Otherwise he can be sent to the bot breakers yard for parting out!
@sjr60 said:
"Huwbot might get my vote if he starts picking pre 1978 sets. Otherwise he can be sent to the bot breakers yard for parting out!"
DAmn that's savage!
I’ve just supported an IDEA—the succulent garden—for the first time in a long time. When did they remove the “how much would you pay” and other questions as part of supporting a project?
@ericjohn said:
"I’ve just supported an IDEA—the succulent garden—for the first time in a long time. When did they remove the “how much would you pay” and other questions as part of supporting a project?"
A few years ago, I think it definitely wouldn't hurt to bring those back
I don't want to make a "controversial" comment but I feel like the skin tones in the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set are a bit off. I get what they were going for but it just doesn't really work IMO. The build is amazing, though, as are pretty much all of the others. The fact that a Huwbot LEGO Ideas project exists and got 2,000 supporters amazes me, I'll be sure to give it support.
Totoro is the best!!! <3
Burton’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY is one of the worst films I’ve ever seen in the theater. Just wretched from start to finish.
A set based on WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY would be excellent, however.
The Chocolate Factory one could have been good if it was based on the excellent 1971 movie, instead of that terrible 2005 thing featuring an annoying bowl cut Jack Sparrow.
But my favorite one is the Totoro idea definitely. How I wanted to see more anime/game sets and themes to be made...
I love the Toy Factory and Totoro. I agree that the Toy Factory may have a limited chance of success due to being similar to the winter village series. I think the Totoro set might have a good chance. It would make a lovely display piece but is also highly playable. Swooshable even!! And definitely loooong overdue for something from Studio Ghibli!!
I would buy the succulents set on day one...and now I am going to vote for it...
May I suggest the large 2,000 piece Scooby Doo Mystery Machine by "Let Them Fly" because I follow him on Instagram and his movie car designs are exceptional. (I would actually like a few changes to this Mystery Machine design but it remains to be seen if it gets approved...)
https://ideas.lego.com/projects/33d97743-b722-4061-923b-dd381e208fc8
Huwbot and the succulent are my votes.
But mostly the Huwbot, which is all sorts of adorable.
Would by Totoro in a heartbeat. Agree that the ‘71 Willy Wonka would be better than the Burton version from the dawn of his Lucas/Zemeckis-style CG obsession.
What’s floating in that chocolate river?
Gene Wikder is the only correct answer.
My thoughts:
1) Wreck-It Ralph
I LOVE the first movie. (Second one is a bit...eeeeeh...) This model looks great from the front, but I think the mini arcade cabinets in the back is a bit much. It's adding to the piece count for something that's on the back of the model. I'd prefer to have it just be a regular (wreckable) building...which could also be assembled complete and "fixed". Great job, @BuiltWithLego!
2) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The problem here is that you have to pick ONE scene from the movie and there's so many great scenes in that (original) movie. At least it's not a giant drab factory model.
3) Succulent Garden
This looks amazing and almost like actual succulents. I'm not a plant guy though, so this interests me as much as Lego's official plant sets they're releasing...which is to say not much.
4) My Lego Totoro
Ghibli is GREAT and everyone should go watch My Neighbor Totoro. The Catbus is great to see, but Totoro needs an umbrella. As for licensing, I think there's not a great chance this set will ever get made even if it shot up to 10,000 in a day.
5) Ancient Greek Temple
It's nice to see this kind of architecture in Lego bricks. It would have been nicer if it was a model of an actual building. If Lego releases this, I'm certain they'd cut back on the surrounding landscaping.
6) Elves' Toy Factory
This is super cute and I love it, but I have a feeling that Lego wouldn't pick it due to the recent Winter Village set. Still, I'd prefer to have this in my city...especially if I could assemble it without the snow and have it be a regular old toy factory.
7) Huwbot
Already voted for this. Doubt it will hit 10k, but I wish it would just so we could all see it in the review. (Zero chance they'd ever pick it to produce though.)
Zero interest in any of these, but then as an AFOL I'm much more inclined to find appeal in new sets that could fit well into the aesthetic of classic mid-'80s vintage themes, whether Castle (Lion/Crusader Knights, Black Falcons, Forestmen, Wolf Pack), Space, Town, or Pirates.
Nice ideas all around but Succulent Garden is just too good.
Some amazing builds here!
ALL HAIL HUWBOT, RULER OF ALL!!! :)
I like the Greek temple but the rest don't inspire me.
I'm a classicist, got to go for the temple! But I do think the succulents would be a good choice since they've just done a whole bunch of flower related items
@Lego_lord said:
"Nice ideas all around but Succulent Garden is just too good."
Yes!
Temple, succulents, and the chocolate factory for me.
The succulents I wouldn’t be surprised to see pop up in the botanicals line, and for the chocolate factory I don’t care about which film version it represents, I’m sold on the landscaping (looks like a Mario kart track) and for that reason I know I’d be let down by a release that downplayed it.
I think they are all fantastic builds. I have voted for Huwbot :)
My personal interest would be the Greek Temple.
Totoro and the Greek temple would be great!
@Norikins said:
" @sjr60 said:
"Huwbot might get my vote if he starts picking pre 1978 sets. Otherwise he can be sent to the bot breakers yard for parting out!"
DAmn that's savage!"
Firm but fair!
You had better hope he doesn't read this otherwise you'll be in for a month of Clikits...
I am Facebrick from FACEBRICKUP, half-author of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory set.
We chose the Tim Burton version because it's actually closer to the Roald Dahl's book, which we admire, despite mr. Dahl was involved in the 1971 movie which was too centered on Willy Wonka (hence the thitle).
I hope that you can help us reach 10 thousand on the long run, we put a lot of love and effort into that set and we know LEGO may change and revise it totally if they want to. Maybe they will include characters from the 1971 movie? You can know only if you help us push it to the 10k.
Thanks so much for the feature!
Just voted for the ancient Greek temple! I'll always be biased toward original concepts rather than extensions of existing themes or IP-driven concepts.
Huwbot!!!!
I want the succulents.
I supported the Greek temple and Huwbot, of course. But I would have sold the Huwbot as official brickset merch instead of giving up the rights to LEGO by submitting it to Ideas. We all know it never has a chance as an official set. Still, it's cool that the instructions are available for free.
I think the succulent Idea is truly inspired. Simple (not to design, I'm sure) but so effective in brick form. I love it
@ALEGOMan said:
"Who are those wonker characters supposed to be?"
Those Wonkers are from the dreadful Tim Burton remake.
I will agree on the succulent garden is likely coming in another form. Otherwise it looks great. Very clever part usage.
The elf Toy Factory is definitely not going to happen. Not only did one just come out, but it had some character. This is just a blocky building.
Wreck it Ralph, while I like the idea, again it is just another blocky building (I understand that is how it would look in the game/movie). Because of that it doesn't really translate that well into a LEGO set. I didn't click on it. Does it actually easily break off/get fixed?
Chocolate Factory....there is another unfortunate reboot coming so timing wise might be good. But then it wouldn't be THIS set, it would need to include the newer people to tie in for advertising. Although most people would prefer the original movie version in terms of characters, I think the set itself is doable for the theme.
Huwbot is a good idea but how much value it has for the wider audience out of Brickset? Or even among Brickset users? Lego ideas is for fan creations, Huwbot set would just be a marketing tool for Brickset and increase traffic to the website. The design is not even that novel to be a Lego ideas set, it’s not based on a real specific robot with a backstory. It’s like many other robots people make with Legos everyday. In reality Lego buyers reach beyond Brickset. Lego as a company won’t make much money out of it either, after all how many parents are gonna care to buy it as a gift or how many kids will choose that robot over something they are already familiar with
At the end, ban me huwbot and stick to what you do the best, being a bot.
Succulent garden, greek temple and Huwbot got my votes ;)
@Sethro3 said:
"I will agree on the succulent garden is likely coming in another form. Otherwise it looks great. Very clever part usage.
The elf Toy Factory is definitely not going to happen. Not only did one just come out, but it had some character. This is just a blocky building."
The set that came out was a clubhouse, not a factory. Also, some of us like blocky buildings. And, it is based on real factory buildings which are, well, blocky! I know it’s not going to happen but it still is a great build in my opinion ??