unreleased themes

[Thoriun]

Hi

I just found out a few unreleased theme from Lego. And there was one that really got me interested in found more about.
It was the Europa theme. for what i could find out it was set in europe in the XVIII century.

I'm wandering where i can find the building instruction for it (if it is avaiable). It would be an interesting idea if Lego is thinking of making a new future theme that will eventualy replace the POTC/Pirates line with a Europa line (the napolion era where much more than just the battles, it was a time that changed all of europe).

The idea of more than the red coats around id very interesting.

Here are some ideas for a few sets:

A port town
A fort (designed with the XVIII century designs)
A new imperial ship (the curent one is "red coat", lol)
A steel factory and or a wool factory
A house
A market

Several factions:

red coats (english)
blue coats (french)
black coats (prussians)
white coats (russians)

note: this minifigs are all prety much the same. the only change is the torso, and in here the change is quite simple.

2nd note: I know lego is not into violent themes, but it is a good way to show history.

Thoriun

[Bruce N H]

Hey Thorium,

I assume you're talking about this Napoleonic theme. This is some preliminary work from the 80's/90's that was eventually rejected by LEGO. This image was displayed at Comic-Con two years ago, and I think was also in a subsequent BrickJournal:



They also showed off a never-released gangster theme:



Bruce

[Thoriun]

Hi

It was that one. I liked the gangsters idea as well.

Anyway, i think the idea for a future pirates/castle line set in that era is good. by what i can see in the picture there is a castle somewhat similar to the ones in Germany and central europe.

Let's see what the future may bring.

Thoriun

[JoshWedin]

Let's see what the future may bring.

Not to rain on your parade but you do realize that these "unreleased themes" were rejected in the early 90s, right? Therefore, the future is now.

Josh

[Thoriun]

I know, but one may dream. lol.

About the gangsters theme. I really like the cars.

About the rejection of the theme, is true, normaly once rejected, it doesen't see the light of day again.

I'm wandering if lego or anyone will ever think of releasing the instructions for similar sets?

Thoriun

[Bruce N H]

About the rejection of the theme, is true, normaly once rejected, it doesen't see the light of day again.

There have been instances of old ideas being brought back. For instance, there was a BrickJournal article about some of the early Space ideas that ended up being inspiration for the recent Space Police 2 line.

However, these two ideas (Napoleonic and Gangster) seem to have been completely rejected. IIRC Mark Stafford (AFOL, former CCC winner, and now set designer at LEGO) said the only reason he was able to show these at ComicCon was because there was no possibility of bringing back the ideas.

Bruce

[Forestboy]

Yeah, I've seen that Napoleonic theme before. You're correct Bruce in saying it's been in Brickjournal. It's from #8 to be exact! That gangster theme looks so cool though. I don't think they want 8-11 year olds playing with prohibition gangsters though... Darn, target age group...Then again, isn't one coming out for collectible minifigs...?

Anyway, here's some other images of things never released from that issue: (Please realize that I mean no harm unto the Lego Group or BJ for the scans from the magazine)


Generic town-ish castle theme that looks kind of like a French-type one.


A Loch Ness Monster one that has *Coughcough* Too many pre-fabs *Coughcough*


A mining type set or theme...would have been very cool to see.


Look at this one! A clock, statue, puffy shoulders! Best one, right here...


Some minifig accessories that never saw the light of day as well...boooooo! I want those crowns!

One thing I've drawn from all these things never released is that they're all historical-esc looking or roughly fantasy. Which thinking that Lego has done Western and the Castle (2007) themes you'd think that we'd eventually get something like these ones above eventually...oh well, better just drool over them 'until we hopefully do!

~FB~

[Elbadar]

Of course themes based on those preliminary images are impossible, but I think it's very possible for lego to do an 18th or 19th century or gangster theme in the future, especially since lego's set designs and parts have changed and diversified hugely since the 80s. I could picture them making light of gangsters having funny nicknames (Jimmy the Fish sounds like something they'd do) and having them eat pizza and rob a bank. I could also see them essentially blending pirates and castle to make the napoleonic theme. Picture the lions made into red coats, the dragons made into green or blue coats, and have them fight at an old mill or town square. Here's hopin' for that last theme, and for it to come with civillians.

[soccerkid6]

I would love to see that mining set/theme, I would definitely buy some.

[Thoriun]

HI ppl

It's good to see that there is a life brought to this post.

Of course i don't think lego is bringing this sets as they where designed. But to create maybe in 2013 (i set this year for two reasons, one i believe lego will make a few more kingdoms sets in 2012 ) making this theme run for 3 years as did the previous one, and two there is a script for a fifth (also there are talk for a six) POTC film already delivered to Disney, so Lego probably will release a few more sets). But for 2013 a new line combining both Castle and Pirates making a evolution in a time space makes it interesting.

Time evolution: Castle (set in the X to XII century), pirates (XIII to XVI century), city (XX to XXI century) and Space (future)
So there is a huge gap in time. XVII to XIX century that comprises of both european wars (and american civil war/birth of a nation era) and industrial revolution. Also there is a gap from ancient empires and most of the dark ages (pre X century) this would also make an very interesting theme (some elements are already avaiable as seen in some collective minifigs series and the Atlantis theme.

This are only ideas.

Thoriun

[OverLoad]

Time evolution: Castle (set in the X to XII century), pirates (XIII to XVI century), city (XX to XXI century) and Space (future)

I think the Castle theme is more accurately represented in the VIII through XVI (8th - early 16th century) and the Pirates theme is more likely late XVI through early XIX (Late 16th - early 19th). So really, the gap in time isn't THAT big as previously stated by yourself.

[Thoriun]

Time evolution: Castle (set in the X to XII century), pirates (XIII to XVI century), city (XX to XXI century) and Space (future)

I think the Castle theme is more accurately represented in the VIII through XVI (8th - early 16th century) and the Pirates theme is more likely late XVI through early XIX (Late 16th - early 19th). So really, the gap in time isn't THAT big as previously stated by yourself.

You are somewhat right. but it would be interesting to see what lego could do.

Thoriun

[Bruce N H]

Hey,

Relevant to the discussion here, at BrickFair this past weekend there was a huge collaborative Napoleonic battle:




Bruce

[Thoriun]

Wow, really cool.

Several years ago there was a pc game called "Fields of Glory" it was a strategy game with 6 major batles of that era. this creation brought it up to my mind, lol. Love the detail.

Thoriun

[Username]

A few posts on this topic already:

http://www.classic-castle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20321&hilit=prototype