LEGO Ideas Announces Six New Sets, Sparks Debate Over Licensed Content
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LEGO enthusiasts rejoice: a wave of new sets inspired by fan designs is on the horizon. The LEGO Ideas platform revealed the results of its first review period of 2025 today, announcing six projects approved for production and slated for release between 2026 and 2027. The announcement, described as the “biggest review announcement ever,” follows a teaser released on Facebook two days prior.
The LEGO Ideas program allows fans to submit their own designs,which are then reviewed by LEGO’s internal design team and the Ideas community. If a project receives 10,000 supporters, it enters the review phase, where LEGO evaluates its feasibility and potential as an official set.
However, the selection has ignited discussion within the LEGO community, notably regarding the prevalence of licensed intellectual property. A source familiar wiht the review process noted that seven out of the nine models considered – those approved and those placed on hold – utilize existing licenses. “The team at LEGO ideas actually tries to keep the number of licensed and unlicensed models about the same,” the source stated, “which obviously didn’t play a role hear.”
approved Sets: A Diverse Lineup
The approved models represent a broad range of themes and interests. The following sets will be moving forward into production,listed in alphabetical order:
- Downton Abbey: Highclere Castle: A stately recreation of the iconic British estate.
- E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: A nostalgic tribute to the beloved 1982 film.
- Go Go Power Rangers! LEGO Megazord: Bringing the action of the Power Rangers to the brick-built world.
- Ramen: An original, unlicensed design celebrating the popular Japanese noodle dish.
- Smurf Village: A charming depiction of the whimsical Smurf world.
- The Catrina: An original,unlicensed design inspired by the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead imagery.
Details regarding part counts and submission dates vary. The BRO3? model, a licensed set, was filed on May 27, 2024, and originated from the parking lot. Lafabrick (2990 parts, filed April 20, 2023) and TrumanBricks (1225 parts, filed november 18, 2024) are also licensed designs.The Ramen set, submitted on November 1, 2023, and The Catrina (approximately 2984 parts, submitted August 17, 2023) represent the two original, unlicensed designs selected for production. The Half Blood Baron (over 2700 parts, submitted October 15, 2023) rounds out the approved list as a licensed set.
The “Parking Lot”: A Second Chance for Designs
Three additional designs have been placed in the “parking lot,” a holding area for projects that may be revisited in the future. These sets frequently enough face challenges related to licensing or are held for strategic reasons, such as aligning with anniversaries. The sets currently residing in the parking lot are:
- Daft Punk Concert: A licensed tribute to the iconic electronic music duo.
- Golden Girls: A licensed set celebrating the beloved sitcom.
- The Old Man and the Sea: A licensed design inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel.
These sets, submitted between August and October 2024, could see a future release depending on evolving circumstances.
A record-Breaking Second Review Period Looms
Looking ahead, the LEGO Ideas team faces another significant challenge: reviewing a staggering 146 models submitted for the second review period. The outcome of this review is eagerly anticipated by the LEGO community.
The selection process continues to spark debate, with fans weighing in on the balance between licensed and original designs. The question remains: will the next review period offer a more diverse range of concepts,or will licensed properties continue to dominate the LEGO ideas landscape?
