The LEGO Group is set to celebrate a momentous birthday in 2024 as its Star Wars line turns 25. According to StarWars.com, LEGO announced on Tuesday at the Nuremberg Toy Fair the release of five new sets to kickstart the occasion, complete with new 25th-anniversary tiles and "never-before-seen minifigures." The sets are slated for release on March 1st, and below is a highlight of what you can expect from each one.
The Millennium Falcon is the first of three mid-scale ships joining the Starship Collection. This set (Set #75375) will come with 921 pieces, a 25th-anniversary brick, no minifigures, and cost $84.99. Since the Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) Falcon's release in 2017, LEGO fans have yet to have a non-mini version of the classic Original Trilogy ship. The level of detail achieved looks most impressive, given the limited number of pieces, and comes with a great stand for display. Coming in at a price that is 1/10th the cost of the UCS version, this is an affordable set for any LEGO Star Wars fan and is a must-add for any collection.
The Tantive IV is the second of the mid-scale ships announced. This set (Set #75376) will come with 654 pieces, a 25th-anniversary brick, no minifigures, and cost $79.99. The details once again are notable, given there are even fewer pieces than the Falcon, but the proportions of the legendary blockade runner are well maintained. With the UCS version long since retired (Dec. 2020) and prices steadily climbing, this set, like the Falcon before, is a more reasonable cost for anyone looking to add the famed ship to their fleet.
The Invisible Hand is the last of the mid-scale ships, and the only Prequel-era set announced. Considering The Phantom Menace also turns 25 this year, it's a little surprising that more sets from this era are yet to be revealed. This set (Set #75377) will come with 557 pieces, a 25th-anniversary brick, no minifigures, and cost $49.99. This is the smallest of the three ships released and is the first-ever official LEGO version of General Grievous' flagship. Overall, the ship looks good, cramming in plenty of details despite the minimal piece count, though I wish it were a larger set. The price point is excellent for casual builders and collectors alike and could lead to a larger future version (perhaps UCS). To borrow loosely from Grievous, *cough* *cough*, "this set will make a fine addition to any collection."
Boarding the Tantive IV is a smaller playset designed in the style of the Dark Trooper Attack set from The Mandalorian. This set (Set #75387) will come with 502 pieces, a 25th-anniversary tile, seven minifigures, and cost $54.99. Allowing fans to recreate the famous opening scene from Star Wars: A New Hope, the set comes with two Stormtroopers, two Rebel Troopers, Captain Antilles, and Darth Vader. This set also comes with a new, never-been-released ARC Trooper Fives minifigure, which also comes with a unique 25th-anniversary stand. This set is perfect for any young LEGO fan and any avid minifig collector looking to add Fives to their 501st battalion.
The final set announced is a new, playable R2-D2. This set (Set #75379) will come with 1,050 pieces, two minifigures, and cost $99.99. This set is a simplified alternative to the current buildable R2-D2, which costs $239.99 and comes with 2,314 pieces. The latter set was released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm, so it seems our favorite little astromech is all about birthday parties! The set does come with an R2 minifigure, though the enticing part is another never-before-released minifigure, Darth Malak, and like Fives, the Old Republic Sith Lord also has a unique 25th-anniversary stand. While I wish Malak had been released in his own 'Old Republic' set, like a Star Forge with Darth Revan, it is nice to have access to this new character. This R2 build is an excellent option for those a bit hesitant on the larger, more expensive set, and including what's sure to be a desired minifig makes this set almost too good to pass up.
Look for LEGO to make more announcements on future 25th anniversary sets, likely later this spring as we gear up for May the 4th.
All sets are currently available for pre-order on LEGO.com and will begin shipping on March 1st, 2024.