Orthanc set

Okay, anyone who reads this blog already knows this, but I have to note the Orthanc set that will be released in July. At 2359 pieces and over two feet high, this thing is pretty amazing.


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I just want to note something that made me do a Tolkien geek happy dance. If you look closely at the library level, there are portraits of five wizards! So at least in picture form we get LEGO versions of Alatar and Pallando. On the back wall on the left is Radagast and the right side has Gandalf. Saruman's portrait is in the middle of the back wall under those arches (blocked by the fig in this picture, but you can see it in another picture). Then on the left-hand side wall there is another figure - and if you look close you can see the edge of a sticker (yes, unfortunately these are stickers) on the right-hand wall.



In another interesting little detail, there are five wizards' staffs in the set. The simple brown one is Gandalf's as has already been seen in released sets, and the one with the white light bulb cover is Saruman's, as seen in the box art. So what are the other three? Did Saruman steal them from the other three wizards (as he accused Gandalf of wanting to do)? Are the LEGO designers implying that they've disappeared by the time of the events of the Peter Jackson movies, and that this is due to some underhanded doings of Saruman?



Add to this a fully furnished interior, a great set of figs (including Wormtongue who seems to be exclusive to this set), an eagle and a sweet brick-built Ent (presumably Treebeard), and this turns out to be a pretty epic set.

Window display

Torresmr recently had a chance to display his work at his local LEGO Brand Store, and he featured Minas Tirith and Bilbo meeting Gollum.

Into Mordor

General Magma built Sam and Frodo in disguise, traveling into Mordor.

Leaving Lothlorien

Legopard built Leaving Lothlorien. A really cool aspect that I didn't realize when I first saw this is that he turned a mountain baseplate upside down, and the boats are really floating.

Smaug the golden! Smaug the magnificent! Smaug the ... tiny.

Julius No made this amazing micro Smaug.

Barad-dûr II

You probably recall Kevin Walter's amazing Barad-dûr from a couple of years ago. Well, the rebels blew it up, so he's been working on a second version. I usually don't feature WIPs here, but, well, many Bothans died to bring us these photos, so we shouldn't let their sacrifice go to waste. I can't wait to see the final tower.

Helm's Deep

Mpoh98 built this Helm's Deep story tower. All of the levels are nice, but I particularly like the great perspective he achieved on the upper level.

Life-size Bag End at KidsFest

A few months ago, pictures were published by the LEGO Model Shop of a life-size Bag End. I didn't post it here at the time, because I wanted to wait to find out where it would be on display. It looks like it was in Louisville this past week for LEGO KidsFest. Looking back, it was also at the Virginia KidsFest in February. Check out the KidsFest schedule to see where you might be able to see this at a future display. They also seem to be displaying the Bilbo and Gandalf sculptures that were previously seen at Comic Con International.

Paths of the Dead

Legopard built the entrance to the Paths of the Dead.

You have my axe

Cole Edmonson expanded his armory with Gimli's walking axe.

Big dwarves

While I've been focused on the MELO, Pate-Keetongu has continued to sculpt dwarves, adding Thorin, Oin and Bifur to his retinue.

He's got his eye on the prize

The Middle Earth LEGO Olympics is over, and Jacob Nion takes home the win with his Sauron.

MELO round 1 selected MOCs - TT and RotK

Here are some more selected MOCs from the qualifying round of the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics focused on the Two Towers and Return of the King.

Jackson Williams made a great rendition of Meduseld. Be sure to follow the link, as there is no one photo that shows all of the great details of this MOC.


If you're going to do a Rohan MOC, almost everyone is going to go with the Battle of Helm's Deep, or if not that the hall of Meduseld. I really appreciate that Josh Walters went for the non-obvious with Simbelmynë. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebearers.


Martin Geistefeldt went for the obscure, with Haleth, Son Of Háma, a boy created by Jackson at Helm's Deep.


Grant Davis gives us a Jacksonian scene, Lighting the Beacons.


Chris Stone's Do you remember, Mister Frodo? is quite evocative.


Lee Muzzy showed us the climactic confrontation in Mount Doom.

MELO round 1 selected MOCs - FotR

Here are some more selected MOCs from the qualifying round of the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics. These are focused on scenes from Fellowship.

David made a great rendition of the Old Forest and the Barrow Downs full of features like Old Man Willow with moving parts, the opening barrow, and everyone's favorite singing fool, Tom Bombadil.




Justin Knelsen shares the House of Tom Bombadil.


Aiden Frusher shows the difficulties encountered on Caradhras, as does Jedi Master Ronin.



Finn Tegotash shows Gimli kneeling at Balin's Tomb.


Patrick Devine has a nice little micro version of the Argonath.

MELO round 1 - more selected MOCs

Here are some selected MOCs depicting scenes from the from the qualifying round of the Middle Earth LEGO Olympics.

AM had a clever idea to feature the film crew for the Jackson movies On set at Bag End.


Legopard has Bilbo making a Last Look at Bag End before setting out on an adventure.


Hugo Van has a troll ask What's a burrahobbit doing in my pocket? Dodge has the trolls Turned to Stone.



Kenton Lanier has a great version of Gollum's Cave.


Matthew Oh has Laketown under attack in Fire and Water.