Thursday Threesome: Three Lego sets that might get me back into collecting.

It's been a little while since I've bought a Lego set. I've been picking up minifigures here and there, but I haven't bought a solid set in years. Why? It's not because they haven't been coming out with quality sets. I think I could jump into any line (even Lone Ranger) and be happy to add most sets to my collection. 

 
The issue for me has just been time and money. The big downer for any collection. But there are photos and rumors floating around the internet that are worth breaking the bank over. The good news is that my kids are just about to hit the age where I can buy Lego sets (for them, of course), build them (with them, of course), and then place the completed sets on Dad's Lego shelf where they are never be touched again.

So what is pulling me back into it? Click through the jump to see.

1) The Longshot: Lego Cuusoo E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

Lego Cuusoo is the oddly named website where users upload set ideas, and other users vote for them to be made. At 1,000 votes, the team starts providing feedback and working with them, and at 10,000 votes, they are eligible for production. There are other factors (licensing, molds, marketability) that may squash everyone's dreams, but a few sets have been released this way. Most recently we received a Minecraft set, which was a pretty awesome feat for the internet.

TJSpencer1 created an ET: The Extra Terrestrial set that is absolutely flawless. He hits the tone of the entire film in just one small set. It's one that I would buy in a second, but unfortunately it's very low on votes. There are only 632 as of right now out of a necessary 10,000. 

2) The Semi-Confirmed Rumor: Lego The Simpsons

There have been rumors of The Simpsons Lego coming in 2014 and now we are a little close to a confirmation from an insider at a Fox/Lego event.

From Nerdly.co.uk:

 LEGO are set to release (much like the Olympic minifigures) a complete wave of blind-bag minifigures (series 13 to be precise), with 16 Simpsons characters to collect – including Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Apu, Chief Wiggum, Moe, Itchy and Scratchy and many more of the show’s iconic characters – which will be launched May 2014.

And despite a list of proposed LEGO sets hitting the likes of Brickset and Bricks & Bloks, we can confirm that the *only* LEGO set to be launched in the first quarter of 2014 in the UK will be the Simpsons House, which is set to be made available direct to consumers (via the LEGO website and LEGO stores) in April 2014.

 On top of that, this new LEGO range will also be supported by a special Simpsons LEGO TV episode (much like the LEGO Star Wars specials) in May 2014!

I would be all over the blind bag mini figure sets, and love the idea of a Simpsons Lego TV episode. I can only assume and hope that Michael Price is to blame for this amazing pop-culture mash up, as he writes for both The Simpsons and the Lego Star Wars TV specials. Thanks Michael!!

Fan concept images from http://thebrickblogger.com/2013/03/lego-the-simpsons-news/

3) Available Now: Lego Ewok Village

This one is neither a dream or a rumor. It's available right now! 

I forgot to mention it's $250. But look at it. A highly detailed, large Lego Star Wars environmental set? These are rare and worth every penny. All 25,000 of them. 

This hits me in a soft spot that combines one of my favorite childhood toys with my favorite childhood toy lines. Plus it comes with a billion minifigures! 

Get yours at: http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Ewok-Village-10236