Where was Gondor? Well, it’s finally here (after we speculated about it some years ago)!
Minas Tirth, LEGO’s epic addition to its Lord of the Rings line has been available for the past month, and the reviews have been as welcoming as ringing silver trumpets from the White Tower of Ecthelion as they call her denizens homeward. Even with a price point that leans more toward high-end collectors, this first Gondorian offering has received accolades for balancing a grand scale with memorable micro scenes; exclusive mini-figures like Faramir, Denethor, and Shadowfax; and for the mathematically minded, even a price per its 8,278 pieces that is remarkably good for a licensed set at this scale.
Plus some of us had to wait a month to receive this masterwork as our birthday present, my precious. No murder was involved. We also received the gift of some deeper insight into how the Tower of the Guard moved from concept to our ever more crowded shelves. Read on to find out more, in our interview with LEGO designer François Zapf.
The OneRing.net had the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the White City in a conversation with its designer, François Zapf.
Decision making
TheOneRing: What were some of your more difficult creative choices that you had to make as you designed the Minas Tirith set? Were there things that you wished you could have incorporated, but that got left on the ‘cutting room floor’? Were there features that you fought for and were able to get included?
François Zapf: The hardest calls were always about scale versus story. Every interior location we included meant real estate that couldn’t go elsewhere, and Minas Tirith has so many spaces that matter to people. Our focus was on including the locations that best captured the story we wanted to tell within the model.
A key design priority for me was preserving the details of the upper city. There was a point where it would have been easier to simplify the microscale sections to keep the piece count manageable, but I felt strongly that if you’re going create the Minas Tirith, you have to do the silhouette justice. The layering of those walls, the way the city climbs the rock – that’s the whole point of it.
Preserving the silhouette
Working within LEGO constraints
OneRing: Given any LEGO design has to work within a set colour palette and collection of piece shapes, are there particularly creative ways that you were able to apply the standard LEGO collection to the Minas Tirith design? Are there any custom shapes or colours that you were able to integrate into this set? If so, what’s the process like to get approval for customised pieces and shapes?
FZ: Working within the existing palette is one of the most creatively stimulating constraints while designing at the LEGO Group. Minas Tirith is essentially white stone, but “white” in LEGO brick terms is more nuanced than it sounds. We used combinations of light grey, white, and tan LEGO bricks to suggest age, weathering and depth, giving the city that sense of having stood for thousands of years rather than looking freshly painted.
To achieve a structure as complex as Minas Tirith, we had to get creative with a wide variety of existing LEGO elements. One of my favourite techniques was using the D-SNOT [studs not on top] element to create the city’s arches and windows and repurposing a cockpit canopy piece to form part of the upper wall. Finding unexpected uses for familiar elements is one of the most enjoyable parts of the design process. Where new elements or colours are introduced, they’re carefully considered to ensure they meaningfully enhance the final model. We always look for opportunities to achieve the desired result with existing elements in creative ways, introducing new moulds or colours only where they add genuine value to the build experience or final model.
Capturing Minas Tirith’s upper wall
OneRing: The Minas Tirith set echoes the design approach we’ve seen in other LEGO sets like Barad-dûr and Orthanc — a smaller scale exterior and a larger scale interior on the opposite side of the model. What’s your approach for deciding what to include in that larger scale set of interior features? And were there particular figures that you left out, given those design choices?
FZ: The LEGO Icons line has refined this hybrid approach across several models, and Minas Tirith is one of the most ambitious examples we’ve created. The interior spaces were chosen based on a combination of their significance to the story and how well they translate into a three-dimensional LEGO build. The throne room was a natural choice, as it delivers both an iconic moment from the films and a rewarding building experience. When it came to the LEGO Minifigures, our goal was to include the characters that best complement the key locations and scenes represented in the model. As with any LEGO set, there are more characters and moments from the story than can fit into a single build, so we focused on creating a cohesive experience that balances display, storytelling and the building journey.
A maxi array of noble mini figures
Secrets to be found…
OneRing: To the extent you can tell us about them, are there any Easter eggs that you’ve hidden within this set that you think will bring particular joy to Middle-earth LEGO set collectors?
FZ: There are a few, and I’ll be deliberately vague because I want people to find them. What I’ll say is that we were very conscious of the broader Lord of the Rings fan community. Fans who know not just the films but the books, and who will appreciate references that go beyond what’s on screen. There’s at least one detail in the set that I expect to generate some great discussion online when someone spots it.
Is there an Easter egg in the library?
OneRing: To what degree did either Warner Bros./New Line or the Tolkien Estate have an influence on the design? Did you have to go through any particular hurdles or hoops to create what you sought to deliver in this Minas Tirith set?
FZ: The IP Partner relationship is genuinely collaborative rather than restrictive. The Warner Bros. Discovery team are deeply knowledgeable about this IP and they care about it. The review process was collaborative throughout. Both teams shared a commitment to faithfully capturing the look and feel of Minas Tirith, and those discussions helped refine the final model.
Collaborating in the throne room over chicken and tomatoes…
Part of the fandom
OneRing: What has been your own experience with the writings of JRR Tolkien and the world of Middle-earth? How did your familiarity with The Lord of the Rings books or films influence your design process and the ultimate Minas Tirith end product?
FZ: As a fan myself, I wanted the model to capture the same sense of awe I felt the first time I saw Minas Tirith on screen. Throughout the design process, our goal was to stay as faithful as possible to the film reference and recreate the iconic look of the city in LEGO form. For this set, our primary visual reference was the film trilogy, so the model reflects that interpretation of Minas Tirith. For example, that’s why the outer walls are light in colour instead of black. Ultimately, I hope the model gives fans the same feeling of wonder and excitement they experienced when they first saw Minas Tirith in The Lord of the Rings films.
Plenty of wonder and excitement…
OneRing: If budget and set size were not a constraint, what would you have created in comparison to the Minas Tirith set that is being released?
FZ: One of the fun things about questions like this is imagining what’s possible without real-world constraints. A full Siege of Minas Tirith diorama would certainly be an incredible display, but the released model captures the story and build experience we most wanted to bring to fans.
At least early orders got a Grond!
What might be next?
OneRing: We’ve seen a large number of Middle-earth LEGO creations over the years. Do you have a personal favourite (besides Minas Tirith, obviously)? Is there a new Middle-earth design still out there that you’d like to take on?
FZ: The LEGO Lord of the Rings: The Tower of Orthanc holds a special place for me. It was one of the sets that showed what was possible with LEGO bricks at that scale, and it’s aged remarkably well.
Middle-earth offers an incredible variety of locations and architectural styles, making it a particularly inspiring world to design within. As a fan, there are many memorable locations whose architecture is fascinating to imagine recreating in LEGO bricks.
Orthanc — a LEGO classic!
OneRing: What have been some of the other LEGO sets that you’ve designed that are your personal favourites? How long have you been designing such sets?
FZ: One of my personal favourite sets is the Modular Tudor Corner. It was the second set I worked on, and I have a lot of fond memories of that project. I particularly enjoyed translating the unique Tudor-style architecture into LEGO building techniques. I’ve been designing LEGO sets for more than three years now, and one thing that always surprises people is how long these projects take. Large display models like Minas Tirith can take many months to design, with a lot of iteration and fine-tuning to get both the look and the building experience just right.
Tudor Corner with LEGO designers Ashwin Visser and François Zapf.
OneRing: Given the growth of third-party lighting kits for LEGO models, do you end up including design features that will play to those possible lighting sets? Is that the case with this Minas Tirith set?
FZ: At the LEGO Group, we design first and foremost around the building experience – how the model comes together. How each section of the set reveals itself, how the finished structure feels in your hands whilst you’re building and how it looks on display. We wanted the spaces to feel rich and dimensional, not just visually from the outside, but as places you enjoy constructing and exploring throughout the build. While we don’t design around third-party products, those choices naturally create areas that builders may choose to personalise their own may. I’m excited to see how LEGO builders make it their own.
Excited about making it my own!
Many thanks to François Zapf for taking the time to field our questions – even enigmatically! We look forward to whatever you may be designing next.
It’s Friday 17 May 2024 – and a seismic shift in The Lord of the Rings adaptations has been felt around the world. Here’s all the news you may have missed:
Rings of Power S2 gets a trailer, a date, and a BTS video
Prime Video unveiled season 2 of The Rings of Power at their UPFRONTS, an advertising industry event designed to lure more advertisers to buying commercials during shows. Prime also updated the show’s social media handles from LOTRonPrime to @TheRingsOfPower and released a 3 minute Behind-the-scenes look at S2.
Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debuts Thursday August 29, 2024 with a 3-episode premiere, then settles into weekly episodes for the remaining 5 weeks.
LEGO Barad-Dur tower date and price
The 5,471 piece set is available June 1 for $459.99.
We see you. You can't hide your passion for the new Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr™ set ☄️ pic.twitter.com/wx7ANVApcS
The first movie in the new WB LOTR license is The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, who also will play the character again. Produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, with a screenplay by The War of the Rohirrim writers Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou. Read more about how they landed on this particular story in the Legendarium.
In a technical slip up, the automated YouTube and WB copyright system temporarily took down the 15-year-old fan film The Hunt for Gollum, which was back up within hours and is still free to watch.
Rohirrim preview in June while scoring continues remotely
Exec Producer Jason Demarco announced a “big chunk of the film” will be screened at Annecy animation festival in June, and shared a new logo for the movie.
Composer Stephen Gallagher continues to post updates on the scoring of the new Anime LOTR movie coming this December.
Middle-earth Enterprises owner Embracer Freemode shared an in-depth interview with CEO Lee Guinchard, where he lays out the strategy going forward to build The Lord of the Rings into a premium, high quality brand that is collaborative and fan-first.
LOTR Executive Producer Mark Ordesky has teamed up with the Blair Witch creators to launch a new fantasy project: an omni-channel disc-world universe with a dice game on Kickstarter.
Black Milk Clothing has finally restocked its official LOTR apparel, including this Arwen dress.
Christopher Lee feature-length documentary, featuring a brand new interview with Peter Jackson, enters its final Blu-ray pre-order days with a Dracula inspired premium box set.
It has been fifty years since the Professor sailed into the West, and the Tolkienverse is still thriving. Which is great news for any who wish to pass along the passion as part of their holiday gift-giving, or perhaps pass along that personal hint to your favorite Father Christmas. It’s time for the OneRing staff to gather our collective guidance and bring you our annual Holiday Gift-Giving Guide: the Middle-earth Edition! We’ve pored over a lengthy lineup, narrowing our recommendations down to twelve, one for each day that you and your true love may be mingling under the proverbial pear tree. May you find your Arkenstone somewhere on the list!
For book lovers
Let’s start with something to warm every book purist’s heart: The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition. This is probably the consensus number one pick across all of our TORn staff Fellowship. Just released on November 14, and available broadly from your favorite source for books, this updated edition sees Humphrey Carpenter going back to his original typescripts and notes, restoring more than 150 letters that were excised from the 1981 edition to achieve what was then deemed a “publishable length.” Fortunately our appetite continues to grow for more content on Tolkien and his world in general, and especially commentary on his writings. Anyone for an expanded “Letter 131”, hearing more about a plot summary of the entirety of The Lord of the Rings, or getting Tolkien’s vision for publishing his “Tales of the Three Ages”?
2. Our senior staff member greendragon tends to split her time between America and her home in Scotland, which also boasts one of her favorite sources for unique and beautiful Tolkien-themed gifts: Oscha Slings. And Oscha has just released a number of new items on their website. greendragon enthuses: “In past years, I’ve picked one of their shawls and a throw as gifts; this year, however, I’m excited because their clothing line is back! The Oscha Wear range includes t-shirts, hoodies, and more, in a variety of sizes and styles – and there is even a range of baby grows! Oscha’s woven pieces are incredible, and are an investment; but now you can add some of their stunning designs to your wardrobe at a lower price point. T-shirts for all the Middle-earth fans in your life this holiday season! (If you ARE up for splurging, to treat yourself or that special someone, check out Oscha’s new Imladris design. I still haven’t picked my jaw up off the floor, after seeing this…)” And don’t forget to check out their Middle-earth Mug collection!
Collectibles
3. It’s the 20th anniversary of TheReturn of the King! We’ve even got some staffers – such as deej and Madeye Gamgee – heading to the Land of the Long White Cloud next month in search of Kiwi celebrations. But those are a bit tough to fit into a stocking. No fear! New Zealand Post has once again got you covered. Having already marked the last two years with commemorative collectibles celebrating The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, they’re now ready to help you complete the set! Check out some amazing RotK pieces – coins, stamps and pins – that will put you in the mood to celebrate the Days of the King! Beautiful stamps show images from the final movie in the trilogy, complete with ‘hidden messages’ – an iconic line from the film hidden in each design. Or along with some of us staffers, you might prefer to receive for the holiday season a set of the stunning coins. There are four in total, depicting Meduseld, Gondor, the Beacons, and Gandalf crowning Aragorn. They tie together beautifully as a set, and would be a wonderful addition to any collection.
4. Staffer Justin has been enthusing lately about Wizards of the Coast’s entry into Middle-earth through its massively popular Magic: the Gathering line. Last June the Wizards released a highly anticipated The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth set. For gamers, the “Universes Beyond” card set has integrated Magic’s deep and strategic game-play with settings from Middle-earth (and not just the movies). With the holidays upon us, November 3 saw a new release to expand the set, including a special collection of four Scene Boxes that portray iconic LotR moments, each scene combining six borderless cards that together create a large scene that you can display on the included easel. New booster packs offer the chance to score alternative art, courtesy of the classic 70’s era Hildebrandt brothers, or some very funky “poster art” cards that have some of us humming The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins as we open our boosters. Fun!
5. The OneRing’s “Collecting the Precious” champion, Elessar, has passed along a couple of favorite gift-giving treasure troves, starting with our friends at Weta Workshop. Weta has been prolific with a host of new offerings aligned with the 20th anniversary of the PJ films, and you can find an array of figures, environments, prop replicas, t-shirts, art posters, etc. on their site. Elessar has highlighted a collection of them designed to fit many budgets, from new entries in Weta’s mini-epic and mini-statue lines like the King of the Dead, Sauron and Treebeard; to additions to their classic figures like a stunning Gondorian Fountain Guard; all the way to the threatening new environment, The Black Gate. Plus, Weta typically offers some great Black Friday promotions, so keep an eye out!
Toys
6. Elessar has also had his eye on a growing list of companies offering new Lord of the Rings lines, like Diamond Select Toys. You’ll find dioramas (like Aragorn), a collection of blind box mini-figures, and action figures galore (like a Nazgûl) on their site. Plus they have some terrific new offerings that you can pre-order now for delivery in early 2024. (I would be remiss should I fail to mention my man Sam in that lineup.)
7. Judging from our social media feeds as well as our own obsessions on the OneRing staff, Rivendell has been a glorious new addition to the LegoLord of the Rings universe. Boasting 3 stunning sections, 15 mini-figures, and over 6,000 pieces, you’ll need (and want) to find a generous space in your home to keep Elrond and company on permanent display. Bonus points for any who add on one of the special lighting kits available from multiple vendors like Lighttailing and Light My Bricks.
8. It’s back to the books for Madeye Gamgee, this time with a glorious new edition of The Hobbit. Published in September, the book features over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien himself and with the complete text printed in two colors. The additional art pieces from the author – although exhibited and published elsewhere – have never appeared within the pages of the book itself. You can find the hardback edition broadly, or for a book this beautiful, you may want to splurge on the special deluxe boxed edition, which comes with two poster-size, fold-out maps revealing all the detail of Thror’s Map and Wilderland, an illustrated 88-page booklet, and a printed art card reproducing Tolkien’s original dust jacket painting.
9. Staffer Mithril has some kingly gifts to suggest. First up is the Lord of the Rings Tarot Deck from Insight Editions. Written by Casey Gilly and illustrated by Tomás Hijo, Mithril describes this as “like getting a mini gallery of art and a Palantír in a box.” It’s available at HerUniverse.com and on Amazon. If you’re in the mood for some Middle-earth inspired ornamentation on a more standard card deck, take a spin over to the King’s Wild Project or Theory11 for some amazing embellishments for poker night.
Jewelry
10. Our friends at Badali Jewelry have expanded their licensed offerings to a multiverse of fandoms, but their Middle-earth collection has always been like the Three-Farthing Stone in the Shire: right at the center. Check out their array of offerings like the Arkenstone, Shieldmaiden earrings, or their Palantir Locket. Staffer Mithril is a particular fan of their latest line of the Nine “Rings of Men”, with notable affection for the Ring of Númenor. Pick out your own Ring of Power! Captivate your friends! Watch out for shieldmaidens with swords!
Clothing
11. Staffer Tanya keeps an eye out for sources of attire fit for hobbits, elves, Rohirrim, and other Middle-earth denizens. Three in particular have caught her eye and heart this year. She writes of Linennaiveas offering “several options for Hobbit costuming, focusing on creating dresses using natural fibers. It currently has a Black Friday sale at its website, which assists with the slightly higher pricing for quality work.” Next up is Holy Clothing, a regular shopping spot for my own Rosie. Tanya writes that they’re “an ethical clothing brand out of Asia that pays their tailors fair wages, and gives 15% of their profits to charities. They have dresses named ‘Arwen,’ ‘Eowyn,’ and ‘Tauriel,’ and I admit I am eyeing up this excellent cloak for my own Christmas list.” The final entry on Tanya’s shopping list is Scarlet Darkness: “they have a variety of extremely affordable outfit options that are still perfectly acceptable at, say, a congregation of Elves at DragonCon, or your local renfest. (I might have used this site for DragonCon myself!) The pricing is very fair, and the quality holds up through all your Hobbit parties or journeys into the west.” Another clothing site option you may want to check out comes from Mithril: Her Universe, which has a new line of Middle-earth fashion. “Their clothes have great details and are always high quality and comfy to wear. Check out this Fellowship Cardigan. With both front and back filled with LotR graphics, it would be great for cozying up by the hearth in style.”
Her Universe Galadriel dress
12. Rounding out our “Durin’s Dozen” in this Holiday treasure trove is a unique gift spotted by one of our OneRing founders, Calisuri: a set of four pewter shot glasses each attired as one of our favorite hobbits! From Nemesis Now, and available from a number of sources, including Walmart and Amazon, the glasses come in an attractive gift box. And while they won’t hold a full pint, you still might consider getting one!
13. Ok fine. How about a “Barliman’s Dozen” then. We’ll add one more bonus entry to this year’s list, particularly fit for any fan with knitting needle facility: The Fellowship of the Knits book. Who couldn’t use a handy set of “Watchful Eye” mittens this winter? Or a “You Shawl Not Pass”? Thanks again to Mithril for the suggestion – it might be worth learning to knit!
We’re just skimming the surface, folks. You can also check out an array of additional options for the Silmarillion-smitten loved ones in your life, from next year’s classic Tolkien calendars to art prints by TORn’s good friends Jay Johnstone, Donato Giancola, Justin Gerard, Jerry Vandersteldt, Jenny Dolfen, and the CaveGeek. The Shire Post Mint has a whimsical collection of coins from all across Middle-earth, and the Hero’s Armory is your source for some very stylish Middle-earth fashion, from socks to neckties to cufflinks and tie clips. You may just want to soak in the bath with a rubber duck version of your favorite LotR hero (or villain) from TUBBZ. Our friends at Sideshow and Asmus boast some terrific Middle-earth offerings, and you can even find some versions for your littlest Tolkien fans-in-training from the Fisher-Price Little People Collection. Or why not launch out into the artist and maker world of Etsy – who knows what you might discover? Maybe a set of silverware with engraved LotR quotes? Or a One Fire Ring to Rule them All?
Happy hunting, and happiest of holidays from all your friends at TheOneRing.net!
We hope you enjoyed this April Fools’ Day joke for 2023. (Though wouldn’t a LEGO Lord of the Rings be fun…?)
Since it was announced in February of this year that Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema had secured a deal with Embracer Group to create more Middle-earth movies, fans have been waiting eagerly to hear what would be the first movie on the slate. (We already know, of course, about The War of the Rohirrim, due April 2024.) As it turns out, the next feature to be set in Tolkien’s realms is not what one might have expected – though it does stay in the world of animation (and of course we did just see the release of the Rivendell LEGO set). We’re thrilled that TORN has been given the exclusive to reveal: Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have announced today that a new Lord of the Rings LEGO movie is set to be released in 2025.
Here’s the official press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW LINE CINEMA AND WARNER BROS. ANIMATION’S “THE LORD OF THE RINGS: A LEGO ADVENTURE’ ARRIVES IN CINEMAS ON APRIL 1, 2025
The Studio behind the cinematic blockbuster “Lord of the Rings” trilogy returns with an original animated film, bringing the legends of Middle-earth into the world of LEGO
BURBANK, CA, April 1, 2023 – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that the animated movie ‘The Lord of the Rings: A LEGO Adventure’, from New Line Cinema and in partnership with The LEGO Group, will release in theaters on April 1, 2025.
This whimsical animated adaptation of the beloved, epic tale is set to hit theaters April 2025, bringing together fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary saga and LEGO enthusiasts alike, for an unforgettable journey through Middle-earth as it’s never been seen before.
Esteemed actors Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis will both return to their respective roles as Gandalf and Gollum. The all-star voice cast also includes:
Jim Broadbent as Bilbo Baggins, the eccentric and adventurous hobbit who sets the stage for Frodo’s journey
Austin Butler as Frodo Baggins, the courageous and unexpected hero on a quest to save Middle-earth
James D’Arcy as Samwise Gamgee, Frodo’s loyal gardener and self-appointed guardian
Simon Pegg as Meriadoc Brandybuck, the wisest of Frodo’s three Hobbit companions
Nick Frost as Peregrin Took, the youngest of the Hobbits on this quest, mission, thing
Chris Pine as Aragorn, the mighty and charismatic heir to the throne of Gondor
Genevieve O’Reilly as Galadriel, the fierce and fabulous Elven queen, with unmatched power and style
Michael Shannon as Denethor, the troubled steward of Gondor whose descent into madness is as captivating as it is chilling
A playful reimagining of the classic story, ‘The Lord of the Rings: A LEGO Adventure’ comes more than 22 years after the culmination of Sir Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy based on the iconic books by J.R.R. Tolkien. The films are among the most successful and acclaimed of all time, winning seventeen Oscars including eleven for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” tying the record for a single film. This new movie promises to be a blockbuster adventure that captures the heart and spirit of the original story, while adding a touch of humour and creativity that only the world of LEGO can provide.
“With Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis reprising their iconic roles as Gandalf and Gollum, we wanted to sew a thread of familiarity into this particular production,” said Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group. “At the same time, we wanted to bring new and surprising voices to the other characters to give them a fresh and unique take. We’re confident that this talented group of actors will breathe new life into this classic tale, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this new journey through Middle-earth.”
Animation work has already begun; more exciting voice casting will be announced imminently. The film will be distributed theatrically worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema.
Thanks to Ringer GJC15344 we have a look at what if Lego had gotten around to making a Minas Tirith set. Over a short period of time we got several very cool Middle-earth themed sets from Lego. Unfortunately we never got Minas Tirith. However, I know after seeing these maybe, just maybe, if we can get enough emails sent to them we could get this. This set looks like it would be incredible. I for sure would love to own it.
Ben Pitchford builds Lego creations. In particular, over the last 11 months he’s been designing and constructing a 120,000-plus piece replica of Peter Jackson’s Rivendell from The Hobbit.
