Everyone’s favorite little droid with a huge personality is back in brick form, built in LEGO by Ron McPhatty. Ron has managed to pack an impressive amount of detail into Chopper’s diminutive stature using solid building techniques. That yellow 1×1 tile on Chopper’s chest perfectly matches the original design, and the 2×2 triangular tiles match his patchwork metal plating. Ron also models a variety of Chopper’s exposed internal components with various LEGO pins, bars, and bushes.
Even better, Ron has built Chopper to be in-scale with the new LEGO R2D2 set and provided Chopper with some added accessories that model his middle wheel and head arms. I’d argue that hijinks are un-a-droid-able!
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It was all the way back in 1999 that we were first introduced to the theme of LEGO Star Wars. And in the 25 years since, the collaboration between The LEGO Group and Lucasfilm has remained an staple of the set catalog. To kick off the celebration of the last quarter-century, we were introduced to five anniversary sets today at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. This quintet includes the new 75379 R2-D2 and a series called the Starship Collection composed of 75375 Millennium Falcon, 75376 Tantive IV, and 75377 Invisible Hand. These starships are each in a midi-scale, and include a base with a nameplate and 25th Anniversary brick. Buildable R2-D2 and the new 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV each feature a special minifigure of significance in the theme’s past 25 years. From TLG’s announcement, it sounds like there’s much more on the way this year to celebrate this momentous Star Wars milestone. But for now, these five sets are currently available for pre-order on the LEGO website (US | CAN | UK), with availability on March 1st. Read on for pictures and individual set pricing.
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A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, R2-D2 discovered there was more to life than plotting courses through hyperspace. Greg Dalink tells a story with this fun mech built to fit R2-D2. Using credits saved up over years of loyal service, the galaxy’s most loved astro-mech commissioned an expert droid-smith to fashion a mighty mech, so he could join the rebellion and wreak havoc. And make sure to check out all of Greg’s mecha tributes to the Star Wars universe that we’ve featured on TBB!
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Ah, Tatooine. A wretched hive of scum and villainy and being the centre of the galaxy. Honestly, everything Star Wars seems to take place at this dangerous ripoff of Arrakis from Dune. However, somehow it works. What amuses me is that amongst all the bounty hunters and intergalactic crime cartels, the biggest dangers for two droids is freaking Jawas. Short, hooded, chattery notorious salesmen traveling in a massive brown tank. And this small build by Kosmas Santosak conveys this so well.
There’s just something about the image of a hooded Jawa looming over a stranded C-3PO and R2-D2 that makes me laugh. Perhaps it’s the glowing yellow eyes that’s a parallel to Tatooine’s twin suns that is clever and funny. Or perhaps looking at it I can hear the high-pitched babble of those mischievous scavengers…
Utinni!
Shootogawa!
A beton nya mombay m’bwa!
Nekkel juuvar obwegadada!
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Kurt Kristiansen, LEGO Designer has been involved with the Star Wars series ever since the franchise was released in 1999. This means he’s had the honour of also being a part of the earlier release of the similar scaled Star Wars LEGO 10225 R2-D2 model that hit the shelves in 2012.
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The annual May the 4th “Star Wars Day” merchandising event is coming up next week, with new products becoming available starting May 1st. The recently announced LEGO Star Wars 75308 R2-D2 joins that list, with 2,314 pieces and a price of US $199.99 | CAN $269.99 | UK £179.99. How does this version compare to the first large-scale Artoo (10225) from 2012? Is it worth picking up next week? Read our hands-on review to learn more.
The LEGO Group provided The Brothers Brick with an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.
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To celebrate Lucasfilm’s 50th Anniversary in 2021, LEGO Star Wars is taking the wraps off the long-anticipated Ultimate Collector Series-style droid with 75308 R2-D2. The large model of one of Star Wars’ most beloved characters stands 12.5 in tall (31cm) and uses 2,314 pieces. The set will include the large model of R2-D2, a UCS-style info placard, a minifigure-scale R2-D2, and a brick printed with the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary logo. It will retail for US $199.99 | CAN $269.99 | UK £179.99 when it’s available starting May 1, meaning it will be available just in time for this year’s May the Fourth Star Wars Day sales. R2-D2 will be an exclusive limited to LEGO stores and the LEGO website.
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In the Star Wars universe, R2 units are super useful droids. They can help navigate hyperspace, handle power routing, and even do spot repairs. That’s all great if you have a starship, but what about us here on Earth? What sort of assistance can we hope for? Well, John Cooper has a possible answer: this LEGO version of R2-D2 is a fully functional gumball machine. There’s a crank in the center of the chest, and opening hatches on the front reveal a hidden coin slot and gum dispenser. A hatch on the back protects the accumulated cash. I love the clear dome panels used for the head – the exposed gumballs remind me of an old Fisher Price Corn Popper toy. Sadly this version lacks that pop-o-matic type function.
Curious to see things in action? Check out the video!
John also shared a few behind-the-scenes tidbits about the build with us: Originally the gumballs were going to come out a simple hinged door at the front. But when I decided to use the three-leg configuration, that tilted the body back. So I devised the drawer to capture the gumball when it exists the sloped vertical drop.
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LEGO has revealed seven new Star Wars sets based on everything across the galaxy including the films, television shows, a visual dictionary, and even Disney’s theme park land, Galaxy’s Edge. The sets include two brand new ships, multiple desirable minifigures, a few refreshed models, and the 2020 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. (Spoiler alert: we’ve included photos of the Advent behind the jump at the far end of this article.)
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LEGO has been awarded the Webby Award People’s Voice Winner for the viral video with theLEGO Droid Orchestra video incorporating R2-D2 from 75253 LEGO Boost Droid Commander. The Webby Award is one of the oldest awards on the Internet for recognition of mastery and labelled as the Internet’s highest honour of excellence or the Oscars of the Internet. It’s presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences on an annual basis judged by industry experts and technology innovators honouring the best of the Internet.
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The LEGO Store Online has two promotions currently. First up is an exclusive gift with purchase of the LEGO BOOST 75253 Droid Commander set. VIPSs receive a free “mini” version of the droid commander set with a printed Star Wars anniversary tile. The promotion is available through Sept. 15 or while supplies last, so you may want to grab these as soon as you can. 199.99 USD | 269.99 CAD | 179.99 UK.
The second promotion is for an old school metal lunchbox with an image of the original patent on the front. This retro promotion is available online only with purchases more than $99 through September 15 or until supplies run out.
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The droids are starting to work together… to create music! LEGO released a video today showing an incredible amount of droids from 75253 LEGO Boost Droid Commander working in concert to perform the main theme from Star Wars. While John Williams might not approve, the many R2-D2, Gonk, and Mouse droids show off just a few of the things Boost is capable of.
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