I’ve heard rumours of these Olympics Minifigures before and now thanks to Redbullgivesuwind at Brickset, we have confirmation!

I think it’s great that LEGO is coming up with limited editions for the Minifigures theme as this makes collecting them more exciting (limited edition Star Wars please!). Here are some interesting details of this upcoming set:

- A special edition licensed LEGO Minifigures Olympic edition
- 9 characters representing athletes in Team Great Britain colours
- Developed for the UK market and exclusively available in the UK (as if this is going to stop me from buying boxes of this fantastic set!)

Via Brickset

Update 2: Added more hi-res pics (courtesy of GRogall).

Update: Replaced most pics with hi-res ones.

There’s more! The excitement of the summer sets is still buzzing so let’s start off with LEGO’s upcoming new theme: LEGO Monster Fighters (big thanks to GRogall)!

Via Eurobricks

Here’s one for the LEGO Architecture series, 21016 Sungnyemum is now official!

“BILLUND, Denmark – LEGO® Architecture, which uses the LEGO brick to interpret the designs of iconic architecture around the world, has added its first Asian landmark – the Gate of Exalted Ceremonies in Seoul, better known as the Sungnyemun.

Sungnyemun has stood in the heart of South Korean capital since 1398 as one of the most complete examples of Joseon Dynasty architecture. It is listed as the country’s foremost National Treasure.

“Sungnyemun survives as a symbolic marker of a lost place in time,” says the architect and designer of many of the LEGO models Adam Reed Tucker. In capturing the essence of Sungnyemun in LEGO bricks Adam looked at the aesthetics rather than engineering, especially the use of colours, patterns and materials that define the ‘spiritual DNA’ of a culture.

Construction of Sungnyemun started in 1396 and was completed two years later. Further alterations and renovations continued over the next 600 years. In 2008 the wooden structure was completely destroyed by fire and it is expected that the restoration – using traditional hand tools – will be complete at the end of 2012.

LEGO Architecture products feature well-known buildings, and the work of important architects. Aimed at inspiring future architects, engineers , designers and architecture fans around the world, the range contains a booklet featuring step-by-step building instructions prefaced by history, information and photographs of each iconic building, its design origin, its architect and its architectural features.

The LEGO 21016 Sungnyemun will be launched officially at the Danish Pavilion during the EXPO 2012 exhibition held in Yeosu, South Korea. It will be available for purchase from June 1 in LEGO brand retail stores, LEGOLAND Stores and online at http://shop.lego.com. The product is designed for ages 12+ and includes a booklet with facts and history about Sungnyemun. Recommended retail price is $34.99 in the US and €34.99 in most European countries.”

Via Brickset

Via Toys N Bricks

Update 2: Replaced all pics with hi-res ones (thanks again GRogall!).

Update: Added more pics including the brand new 4429 Hospital (thanks GRogall)!

Hi guys, it’s been a very slow month for LEGO news. When there’s nothing to write about, I just use the opportunity to take a break (after all I’m a dad of 3 kids!). And thanks to Brickset member Vidiator, the long absence of new posts have been broken! Here are some “safe for posting” pics of the upcoming City summer sets. Although not all, but at least it’s better than nothing. I will update this post when more pics are available.

4200 Mining 4×4 Box Art

4200 Mining 4×4

4201 Loader & Tipper Box Art

4201 Loader & Tipper

4202 Mining Truck Box Art

4202 Mining Truck

4203 Excavator Transporter Box Art

4203 Excavator Transporter

4204 The Mine Box Art

4204 The Mine

4207 City Garage Box Art

4207 City Garage

4429 Hospital Box Art

4429 Hospital

Via Brickset

If you’re a big fan of LEGO’s Modular Buildings, you’ll definitely love this. mb_bricks’s fantastic Modular Western Town has finally reached the 10K supporters milestone. Congratulations!

I’m really hoping this project will become a reality and hopefully one day LEGO will seriously consider bringing back the Western Theme!

“Wow! We tip our hats to you for the beautiful and incredibly detailed Western Town model, and also to the persistence and teamwork of the various online LEGO fan communities that have come together to support this project.

Congratulations on achieving 10,000 supporters. We now officially advance this project to the Review phase.

What happens now?
This project moves from the Idea stage to the Review stage. A “LEGO Jury” composed of designers, product managers, and other key team members will examine the idea. We’ll build concept models and determine if the concept meets our high standards for what it takes to be a LEGO product, including playability, safety, and fit with the LEGO brand. Every LEGO product goes through a process like this and must meet the same standards.

Timing of the LEGO Review
From here forward, the LEGO Review will take place quarterly. The next review will be held starting in June and will include all projects that reach 10,000 between now and then. We’ll update the LEGO CUUSOO blog with additional details next week.

The review is a thorough process and from its start, and can take several months. When finished, we make a “go/no go” decision to develop and sell a product based on the Modular Western Town concept. As we are consolidating the review of all pending projects into a quarterly process, the concept model that began development will be refined and revealed should the project pass review.

We will inform you of our decision, and if green-lighted, this project goes into the longest phase of the project; the Development phase. During this time, LEGO model designers refine the product and develop it for release, we create the product materials (box, instructions, marketing), and get everything ready for a production run. This also takes several months.

We will post follow-up information and our decision here.”

Via LEGO CUUSOO

More pics of the 2012 summer sets are showing up. First up, LEGO Creator:

7345 Transport Chopper Box Art

7346 Seaside House Box Art

7346 Seaside House

7347 Highway Pickup Box Art

7347 Highway Pickup

Via The Daily Brick

Next month’s free LEGO Monthly Mini Model Build is:

Lawn Mower

For this month, both models for US/Canada and UK/Germany are the same. If you want to download the pdf for this model, you can always visit the LEGO website here. Remember, these instructions are only available for a period of time before they are archived.

Note: The pdf file for June’s MMMB is not available on the LEGO website yet. If you want to download it, do check back in 3 weeks when June arrives

Via LEGO

3316 LEGO Friends 2012 Advent Calendar

9509 LEGO Star Wars 2012 Advent Calendar

Via Hoth Bricks

Well, that was pretty short-lived. LEGO sure didn’t waste too much time in the decision process:

“First and foremost, huge congratulations to tbone_tbl for reaching 10,000 supporters on LEGO CUUSOO, and toward everyone for all of the support of the Firefly Serenity Playset project!

LEGO CUUSOO gives the opportunity for adult LEGO fans to submit product ideas. You submit some incredible things, and we’re huge fans of all of your work. This is a beautiful model and a skilled rendition of the beloved Serenity built with LEGO bricks.

When reviewing projects for production, the LEGO Jury first looks at how the concept fits the LEGO brand. We learned the IP was questionable regarding a brand fit, and since we anticipated this project reaching 10,000 the team got a head start and reviewed the project on these criteria.

LEGO produces toys for children. Therefore all LEGO products, regardless of age target, must be content-appropriate for this core audience. With this in mind we have decided that as cool as the Serenity model is, the Firefly TV show and Serenity film contain content that is not appropriate for our core target audience of children ages 6-11. While we know this news will disappoint those who supported the project, we will not be producing this as a LEGO product.

Opening ourselves to new product suggestions invites popular ideas that don’t always fit our brand. We are grateful for the spirit behind projects like the Firefly Serenity and for the opportunity to be challenged. It keeps us sharp and looking toward the future of the LEGO brick.”

Via LEGO CUUSOO