In 1999, Lego introduced the X Wing Lego model. This first model, based on the ship from the original trilogy of movies, started a global phenomenon in the form of the Lego Star Wars franchise. As the release of Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace was nearing, Lego began to introduce Lego sets based on the original trilogy. As the prequel trilogy continued, it too was redone in the world of Lego. As of this writing, Lego has signed a contract until 2011 to produce various sets for Lucasarts, the holder of Star Wars intellectual property.
The number of ordinary, non Ulimate Lego sets nears the hundreds, but the most detailed and fascinating sets are apart of the Ultimate Collector series. These sets serve as more detailed models of parts of the Star Wars franchise. Including a 1,860 piece bust of Darth Maul, a 3,803 piece model of the Death Star, and a 1,075 piece model of Yoda, the Ultimate Collector s series has 19 sets. These sets are usually quite costly and are rare to find.
Now discussion of Lego Star Wars would be even remotely complete without mention of the Lego Star Wars Video Game Series. In 2005, Episode 3: Revenge of Sith was to be released in May; however, the movie was spoiled early for anyone purchasing the first installment of the Lego Star Wars video game series. The covered the timeline from Episode 1 3, which included the as yet unreleased storyline for the third episode. With reception and sales being quite good, the series was granted a sequel in 2006 as Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, and again in 2007, with the re release of both titles, combined, as Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, which allowed characters from the original trilogy to experience the prequel trilogy. As of February 13, 2009, Lego Star Wars: The Video Game sold over 6.7 million units, which is quite a feet for a game marketed as children s game. It s sequels also did very well with Lego Star Wars II out selling its predecessor with over 8.2 million units. The compilation title of Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga earned a lower, yet still impressive, total of over 3.4 million units.
Outside of games and Lego sets, the Lego Star Wars franchise has made its mark as a short clip on the Star Wars: Clone Wars series as Revenge of the Brick and has also taken on the form of an online comic strip. Both of these expansions show how versatile Star Wars can be.
While first released over 30 years ago, Star Wars remains a phenomenon that few other franchises can ever hope to achieve. Whether a new fan after the prequel trilogy or a die hard fan from the start, fans from all over the world can introduce the next generation of Star Wars fans to the cultural phenomenon through the developmental toy that is Lego. While practicing motor skills and expressing creativity at a young age, tomorrow s fans will slowly begin to recognize the characters that many fans have appreciated for years like Chewbacca, Han Solo, Boba Fett, Yoda, and Luke Skywalker. Through this instilling, new fans can be created without another movie ever being released again. That kind of continuing legacy exemplifies the power that is the Star Wars franchise.
Author Resource:
Jason Forthofer is the owner of Galaxy Bricks, an online guide to LEGO Star Wars where you can view sets and mini figures. http://www.galaxybricks.com
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