Hopefully you met the KX-series security droid in Rogue One where we have the wonderful wit of K-2SO, or maybe you met the KX-series as a relentless enemy in the Star Wars: Jedi video games. Thankfully, this LEGO version by Leot is the rebel-supporting K-2SO. Given that we just had May 4th and Andor Season 2, Leot has been on a run of Andor themed builds. Here we get to see K2 giving the KX’s patented shove to an Imperial officer.
Every LEGO builder has a signature style. Some are more subtle than others, but everyone’s got one. In Matt (Classic Brix)’s case, his LEGO Star Wars creations often feature some nostalgic minifigures from the early years of the theme. Don’t let that retro snowtrooper fool you, though: this Hoth AT-ST uses thoroughly modern parts and techniques. Most obviously, you have the 2×3 curved wedge slopes, which are a perfect match for this walker’s feet. But there’s a delicious touch of irony in that printed part between the ‘eyes’. It is contemporary with the snowtrooper, and from a set featuring an AT-ST… But it sided with a miniature snowspeeder instead!
Does anyone remember the LSB contests? For the uninitiated, LSB stands for LEGO Speeder Bikes. These days, it’s primarily a group over on Flickr full of wonderful speeder creations. But as Charlie Jones reminds us, there were a handful of contests run through said group, too. Charlie has been busy building a handful of speeders to remember them by – and we’re particularly taken by the Carmine Shard here!
Seeing it in such a dynamic pose is cool, but even members of the Guavian Death Gang need a rest now and then. And this shot gives us an insight into how this build started, too. It seems that a minifigure cleaver can slot through a minifigure’s legs and double as a speeder saddle! An ingenious connection, which is sure to be a boon for LSB builders everywhere. On which note – I’m going to see if I’ve got any cleavers myself…
In Revenge of the Sith, we witness the twilight of the Jedi in the glow of lasers, lightsabers, and lava. Sam (dewback_bricks) brings cinematic lighting to Anakin’s fall in a LEGO diorama that infuses excellent brickwork with a powerful air of tragedy. The floor design is brilliantly done, as is the forced perspective through the tall window. (And no doubt many builders are envious of those sand red columns!)
Thanks to LED lighting and a few minor changes, the scene transforms as the Dark Side rises.
As George Lucas famously said about the prequels, “It’s like poetry. It rhymes.”
For some people, there are two Star Wars days. Yeah, yeah, we all know about May the Fourth be with you – but don’t forget Revenge of the Fifth (of May)! This year, it’s even more pertinent than ever, as Revenge of the Sith has enjoyed a mighty-successful 20th anniversary re-release. It’s also getting a re-run in our LEGO feeds, too, thanks to builders like Nicholas Goodman. I haven’t seen the re-release of Episode III, but I hear that seeing Order 66 on the big screen really hits different. I’m more than happy to settle for brick-built dioramas such as this, though. The Jedi Archives look resplendent made up of various shades of trans-blue tiles!
Hey, we’ve got some archives of our own too! Why not look through them to see what else 20 years of Episode III LEGO builds has brought us?
The Imperial Security Bureau scenes are easily some of the best in both seasons of Andor as we get to see how petty and cunning the Empire’s most ruthless officers can be. Some even say that the ISB is the shadow government undermining the Emperor’s good intentions. Jonah Frost converts the ISB briefing room into LEGO and this brightly-lit set for shadowy dealings has never looked better. The standout technique is the irregular wall textures made from cheese slopes at every orientation. The doorway with the Imperial logo also looks great. It’s a perfect backdrop for the new Dedra Meero minifig to stand and sneer. Maybe Major Partagaz can even muster up some kind words for everyone’s favorite spider-counter.
Many Star Wars characters, vehicles, and fighters were relegated to “legends” status after the purchase of the franchise by Disney in 2012. But that hasn’t stopped fans of the wider universe from building their favorites in LEGO, like Thomas Jenkins who has created a stellar reproduction of the TIE/D or TIE Droid fighter, a fully automnomous fighter from the reborn Emperor’s shiny new fleet. The long tuning fork prongs attached to the small orb give off major Magnamite vibes.
The scale is deceptive. Look closely at the red dots on either side of the central bar, those are minifig roller skates!
There has been an Awakening in the Star Wars building scene. John (J.R. Snotly Builds), an AFOL from Utah, just started sharing their LEGO creations a few weeks ago, and already they’re a force to be reckoned with. The builder’s style is based on embracing minifig scale while preserving maximum detail. That means Star Wars vehicles that are decidedly smaller than most official sets, but look perfectly proportioned next to a minifig. This Snowspeeder is barely 12 studs long and can still seat 2!
![[04/25][MOC] Snowspeeder (1/9)](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54474662855_567a6b115e_b.jpg)
By working at this scale, John makes ships that we’ve seen in LEGO hundreds of times feel fresh again, using surprising parts and connections to solve familiar build challenges in new ways. Take, for example, the engine cones on this N-1 Starfigher made from Castle helmets!
![[04/25][MOC] N1 Naboo Starfighter (4/9)](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54474498979_3e612dd564_b.jpg)
Purists might note that the windscreen used on the A-Wing and N-1 isn’t a LEGO part, as the builder found that the WANGE windscreen was better for keeping a minifig pilot enclosed at this scale. John also has a version with a LEGO alternative.
![[04/25][MOC] A Wing Starfighter (1/9)](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54473461617_525db79e7f_b.jpg)
What an exciting debut, and perfectly timed for Star Wars Day.
In celebration of May the 4th, we’ve scoured our Jedi archives to appreciate the hundreds of Star Wars fan models featured on this site over the years. On the cusp of our 20th anniversary, those archives run deep. (You heard that right. If the Battle of Yavin was happening right now, The Brothers Brick would have been founded right around the time Senator Palpatine was kidnapped by General Grievous!) There is one Star Wars vehicle that has been recreated and shared by adult fans of LEGO more than any other – the X-Wing Fighter. Just as each Jedi must construct their own lightsaber, creating an original X-Wing design is almost like a rite of passage for builders. Here are 10 of our favorite designs from builders who regular readers of the site will definitely recognize. We even have free instructions for the model featured in the cover.
Cut the chatter, Red two. Let’s see those X-Wings!
May the 4th has exploded (like Yavin 4) into the second biggest shopping event of the year for LEGO fans with a dozen new sets and a multi-day event offering perks like double Insider points, set discounts, and exclusive gifts with purchase. This year’s LEGO Star Wars 40765 Kamino Training Facility (free with LEGO Star Wars purchases totalling US $160 | CAN $210 | UK £145) will be a big draw for many fans thanks to three exclusive Clone Cadet minifigures. We’ve scoured the sale and selected our ten favorite Star Wars sets that are available now.
See our top ten Star Wars sets for celebrating May the Fourth
I was just telling anyone who would listen (friends, neighbors, courtroom judge) that it’s been awhile since LEGO produced a (wicked huge) UCS Tantive IV. Then LEGO Star Wars builder Mr. Idler comes along and fills the Tantive IV-shaped hole in our hearts with this amazing new creation. He nails the odd 11-engined corvette with perfect shaping and some rather clever build techniques. We all love Minifigures and I applaud LEGO for including them in their 2009 and 2019 sets but they’re rather improperly-scaled when posed next to the ship. Mr. Idler takes care of that with Leia, C-3PO and R2-D2 microfigures that seem just about the right size for this model.
Star Wars Day is just around the corner. Fans have been well-served so far: The Revenge of the Sith anniversary showings have led to it becoming the highest-grossing re-release ever, and at its halfway point Andor season two is still getting rave reviews. Best of all, May brings with it a host of new LEGO Star Wars releases! We’ve reviewed almost all the new sets, ranging from 75409 Jango Fett’s Starship to 75407 Star Wars Logo. And don’t forget the 40765 Kamino Training Facility Gift with Purchase, available with qualifying purchases from May 1st to May 5th. If Star Wars doesn’t take your fancy, there are sets from the Marvel, Art and F1 collections coming out this month too. The full range is of course available over on LEGO’s website: LEGO US | LEGO CAN | LEGO UK.
This is where the fun begins… Read on for our highlights of May’s new releases!