Lego Harry Potter

Lego Harry Potter is a Lego theme based on the films of the Harry Potter series. Lego models of important scenes, vehicles and characters were made for the first six films and all the books released. The first sets appeared in 2001, to coincide with the release of the first film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States). Subsequent sets were released alongside the new films, up until Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The line then went dormant for three years.

In January 2004, Lego owner and CEO Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen announced a change in direction for the company, which at the time was facing a DKK 1.4bn loss, and that the company would focus on core products and not "big, movie-related IPs such as Harry Potter".^[1] A week later, the company clarified that this did not mean any immediate "radical changes", and that the Harry Potter theme would continue. However, the theme was discontinued after 2007 for a time.

In June 2009, it was officially announced by Lego that a video game, Lego Harry Potter: Years 1–4 was in production and released in June 2010. Lego Harry Potter: Years 5–7 was released in November 2011.

Warner Bros. and Lego announced on February 12, 2010 that six sets including Hogwarts Castle, Hagrid’s Hut, The Burrow, Hogwarts Express, Dobby's Release, and Quidditch Match would be released in October 2010. These sets have newly decorated minifigures and animals including Luna Lovegood, Bellatrix Lestrange, new owls and new pigs. Also announced was a Lego Harry Potter board game that was made available in August.^[2]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001 - 2002)

The first film (titled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States) saw the largest amount of sets, with fourteen being made in total. Initially, only eleven were produced, however three more were released the next year.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002 - 2003)

Ten sets were produced based on the second film in the series. Two of which were released the year after the second film. These sets were designed to be combined with the sets from the first film.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

The third film saw eleven sets released, including the first Lego Harry Potter mini set. In addition, the minifigures became fleshed toned, following Lego universal change for licensed characters.

Mini-sets

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Only four sets based on the fourth film were released. The Harry Potter minifigure headpiece was redesigned in this series.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Only one set was produced based on the fifth film foreshadowing the theme's assumed retirement. This was the last Harry Potter themed set until 2010.^[3]

Revival Series (2010)

Lego revived the Harry Potter theme after a three year gap from previous set released in 2007. These new sets were released October 1, 2010 within the UK. All sets are remakes of previous ones with the exception of one new set, The Burrow, which is based on a scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.^{[5] [6]}

2011

Lego released four main sets in 2011. Diagon Alley was released in January, while the other three sets were released June 1, 2011, around the time of the cinema release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. However, the Trolley, The Lab & the Mini Hogwarts Express were all promotional sets that were released in different countries at different times, which were either being given away with newspaper offers, the purchase of Diagon Alley from the Lego Shop and also with the pre-order of the game, Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7. As of yet the Lego Harry Potter theme has not been discontinued but Lego hasn't confirmed any sets for the time being.

References

External links

• Lego Harry Potter at Lego.com