LEGO Star Wars is a LEGO theme involving the Star Wars universe. Perhaps the most popular of all the LEGO themes, models have been released of characters, vehicles and scenes from all six films. Originally licensed from 1999-2007, the LEGO Group recently extended the license with Lucasfilm Ltd to 2011.

Creation

While it is not universally agreed which was the 'first' Lego Star Wars set, most people agree it was model 7140 X-Wing. It was considered to be a strange development, at the time, given that its release in 1999 was sixteen years after the last movie in the original trilogy (episodes IV to VI) had been made, even though special editions of the films had been more recently released. Some pondered over why LEGO would release sets related to a popular, but not particularly topical, movie series. X-wing fighters on their way into battle in a still from Star Wars. ...

This soon changed, however, when George Lucas announced his intention to produce the prequel trilogy (episodes I to III) of Star Wars. Not only were many science fiction/movie fans looking forward to these being released, but the appetites of collectors had been whetted by these impressive new sets and were now primed to anticipate the models for The Phantom Menace and other releases.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace

The new films featured a variety of new characters and the accompanying LEGO sets included lots of them! The one disappointment was the omission of Queen Amidala from the sets.

Sets released were: Anakin's Podracer, Battle Droid Carrier, Droid Fighter, Flash Speeder, Gungan Patrol, Gungan Sub, Lightsaber Duel, Mos Espa Pod Race, Naboo Starfigther, Naboo Swamp, Pod Bucket, Sith Infiltrator, Trade Federation AAT, Trade Federation MTT and Watto's Junkyard. The sets sold out quickly and some of these items have gone to to become collector's items.

Minifigs included were: Anakin Skywalker (Podracer), Anakin Skywalker (Naboo Starfighter Pilot), Padme Naberrie (Tatooine), Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Hood), Obi-Wan Kenobi (No Hood), Jar Jar Binks, Gungan Warrior, Naboo Security Officer, Darth Maul, Aldar Beedo (Pod Race Bucket, technically just a random alien), Aldar Beedo (Actual Aldar Beedo), Watto, Sebulba, Gasgano, Battle Droids (Plain, Yellow, Red and Blue) and a Kaddu. Anakin's, Gasgano's and Sebulba's Pit Droids were also released.

The Watto minifig has become a rare item and it's value has increased more than others.

Episode II: Attack Of The Clones

The second prequel introduced clone troopers and various bounty hunters. Other Jedi knights were avaiable including for the first time, Yoda. The only disappointments were the omission of Mace Windu (who was later released as part of the models for Episode III) and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.

Sets released were: Geonosian Fighter, Hailfire Droid, AT-TE, Jedi Duel, Tusken Raider Encounter, Bounty Hunter Pursuit, Jedi Starfighter, Jango Fett's Slave I, Republic Gunship, Naboo Starfighter.

Mini sets released were: Jedi Starfighter, Slave I, Republic Gunship and AT-TE.

Some Large character, Technique models were released: Yoda, Battle Droid, Destroyer Droid, R2-D2, Jango Fett, Super Battle Droid and the Droid Developer Kit.

Minifigs included were: Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Pilot), Yoda, Jedi Knight (Random Jedi Knight), Tusken Raider, Zam Wesell, Count Dooku, Super Battle Droid, Jango Fett, Boba Fett (Young), Clone Trooper, Battle Droid (Geonosis), Geonosian Warrior, Geonosian (Pilot).

A version of Yoda was also released as a key chain.

While the Jango Fett minifig has become one of the most sought after collectables, the most popular set of this generation was the Republic Gunship. Despite (or perhaps due to) the set having a limited production run it remains a fan favourite to this day and many fans have requested it to be re-released like other popular sets.

Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith

Episode 3 brought with it a range of new models and also the introduction of light-up lightsabers which were activated by pressing down on the head. The only characters overlooked were a new Emperor Palpatine, Bail Organa and some of the more prominent minor Jedi, such as Ki-Adi-Mundi, Kit Fisto and Shaak-Ti.

Sets released were: V-wing Fighter, Clone Scout Walker, Darth Vader Transformation, Droid Tri-Fighter, General Grevious Chase, Jedi Starfighter and Vulture Droid, Ultimate Lightsaber Duel, Wookiee Attack, ARC-170 Starfighter, Wookiee Catamaran, Clone Turbo Tank, Tie Fighter, Ultimate Space Battle.
New Mini sets were: Jedi Starfighter and ARC-170 Starfighter.

Minifigs included were: Anakin Skywalker (Pilot), Anakin Skywalker (Light-up Lightsaber), Anakin Skywalker (Burned), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode III), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Light-up Lightsaber, with hood), Darth Vader (No cape), Kashyyyk Scout Trooper, Wookiee Warrior, Mace Windu (Light-up Lightsaber), Luminara Unduli (Light-up Lightsaber), Buzz Droid, General Grevious, Battle Droid, Clone Pilot, Clone Trooper (White, Episode 3), Clone Trooper (Swamp, Green markings), Clone Trooper (Red markings), Clone Trooper (Yellow markings, Commander Cody), Boga.

Episode IV: A New Hope

The original Star Wars film has many LEGO models. The most recent addition is a scaled down version of the Imperial Star Destroyer (2006) with many new minifigures.

Sets released were: T-16 Skyhopper, Mos Eisley Cantina, Droid Escape, Landspeeder, X-wing Fighter, Tie Fighter, Tie Fighter (Remake), Tie Fighter & Y-wing Fighter, Tie Fighter & Y-wing Fighter (Remake), Millennium Falcon, Tie-Fighter Collection, Imperial Star Destroyer, and Sandcrawler.

Ultimate Collector Series: X-wing Fighter, Rebel Bloackade Runner, Y-wing Attack Starfighter and Imperial Star Destroyer.

Mini sets were: X-wing Fighter, Tie Advanced, Millennium Falcon, Star Destroyer. Large character models were: C-3PO, Stormtrooper, R2-D2, Darth Vader, Droid Developer Kit.

Minifigs included were: Owen Lars, Jawa, GNK Power Droid, R5-D4, ASP Droid, Treadwell Droid, R1-G4, Darth Vader, Darth Vader (Light-up Lightsaber), Tie Fighter Pilot, Stormtrooper, Sand Trooper, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker (Tatooine), Luke Skywalker (Pilot), Han Solo (Cantina, dark blue legs), Han Solo (Millennium Falcon, light blue legs), Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2, C-3PO, Chewbacca, Greedo and T-16 Skyhopper Pilot, Biggs Darklighter, Rebel Mechanic, Dutch Vader (Gold Leader), Grand Moff Tarkin, Royal Guard, R2 Unit (Black), Imperial Officer, Emperor (Hologram) and Mouse Droid.

The Princess Leia from set 7190 is sometimes referred to as 'the rarest minifig of them all'.

Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Lots of new models were released. Some of the models were criticized for not including enough troopers. The latest model to be released was an updated Slave 1 (2006) which featured new minifigs.

Sets released were: Tie Bomber, AT-AT, Rebel Snowspeeder, Rebel Snowspeeder (Remake), Slave I, Slave I (Remake), Millennium Falcon (Remake), Cloud Car, X-Wing Fighter (Remake), and Cloud City.

Mini models were: AT-ST, Snowspeeder, AT-AT.

Minifigs included were: Tie Pilot, Snowtrooper, AT-AT Driver, Luke Skywalker (Pilot), Dack Ralter, Hoth Rebel Trooper (Visor), Hoth Rebel Trooper (Googles), Boba Fett, Han Solo (Carbonite), Dengar, IG-88, Bespin Guard, C3-PO, Chewbacca, Princess Leia (Hoth), Han Solo (Hoth), Lobot, Lando Calrissien, Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker (Bespin), Princess Leia (Bespin), Han Solo (Bespin), Boba Fett (Bespin, markings), Yoda, Luke Skywalker (Dagobah) and R2-D2.

Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi

Lots of sets are available based on this film. Currently the most recent models are the remakes of the A-Wing and B-Wing as well as the new model of the Tie Interceptor and, most recently, Jabba's Sail Barge.

Sets released are: Jabba's Message, Jabba's Prize, Jabba's Palace, Tie Interceptor, A-Wing Fighter, A-Wing Fighter (Remake), Desert Skiff, Imperial AT-ST, Speeder Bikes, Ewok Attack, Final Duel I, Final Duel II, B-wing Fighter, B-Wing Fighter (Remake), Imperial Inspection, Imperial Shuttle and Jabba's Sail Barge.

Ultimate Collecters Series: Death Star II, TIE Interceptor

Minifigs included are: C3-PO, R2-D2, Bib Fortuna, Han Solo (Carbonite), Boba Fett, Gamorrean Guard, Luke Skywalker (Jedi, with cloak), Princess Leia (Slave), Jabba the Hutt, EV-9D9, Gonk Droid, B'Omarr Monk, Tie Pilot, Rebel Mechanic (Brown), A-Wing Pilot (Yellow toned), Rebel Mechanic (Grey), A-Wing Pilot (Flesh toned), Luke Skywalker (Jedi, no cloak), Han Solo (Skiff), Chewbacca, Scout Trooper, Luke Skywalker (Endor), Wicket, Paploo, Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, Emperor Palptine (Yellow toned), Luke Skywalker (Jedi, black right hand), Imperial Officer, B-Wing Pilot (Yellow toned), Rebel Mechanic, R2 Unit, B-Wing Pilot (Fleshed toned), Ten Numb, Royal Guard, Stormtrooper (Markings), Emperor Palpatine (Flesh toned), Imperial Officer, Imperial Pilot, Luke Skywalker (Jedi, flesh toned), Princess Leia (Slave, flesh toned), Han Solo (Skiff, flesh toned) and Lando Calrissien (Skiff Guard).

Ultimate Collector Series

In addition to the regular sets, LEGO has released a small number for the Ultimate Collector Series. These models are of considerably higher quality and cost than regular LEGO sets and are meant for display purposes. Included in each one is a collector's plaque with details about the craft and a display stand. Minifigs are not included in the UCS series as the focus on the models is on an accurate portrayal of the original prototype for which minifigs (with their odd proportions) would be inappropriate.

The official UCS sets are: X-Wing (2000), TIE Interceptor (2000), Rebel Blockade Runner (2001), Darth Maul Bust (2001), Yoda (2002), Naboo Starfighter (2002), Imperial Star Destroyer (2002), Rebel Snowspeeder (2003), Y-Wing (2004) and Death Star II (2005). Arguably the most successful of the Ultimate Collector's Series so far has been the 3,104 piece Imperial Star Destroyer as the set has been in continuous production since 2002 and continues to sell well.

In June 2006 the LEGO Group officially announced the future release of a UCS AT-ST. The set will contain 1,068 pieces and is due to be released on 29th June as a Lego Shop at Home exclusive.

Also in June 2006 the LEGO Group set up a vote between four prototype UCS designs on the official Star Wars website. These designs were an R2-D2 sculpture, an FX-6 medical droid, a Trade Federation droid starfighter and an electronic AT-AT. The selection of models was derided on some fan websites for being unimaginative (this would be the third Lego AT-AT), poorly designed (the R2-D2 sculpture) or simply ill conceived (neither the medical droid nor the droid starfighter are considered as staples within the saga). The chosen set is due to be released in 2007.

It is a matter of some debate whether sets such as Cloud City or the Sandcrawler can be considered part of the UCS. For while these sets are of large size and high quality, they are not sold as part of the series and are not as accurate in their designs as official UCS models.

Customs

Not satisfied with the minifigs created by LEGO, many artists have created their own Star Wars minifigs of characters not released. Such minifigs are hard to come by and trade for relatively large amounts of money on the Internet.

External Links

• BrickiWiki-LEGO Star Wars Page
• From Bricks To Bothans An excellent source for LEGO Star Wars news, mocs and official sets