Dune fans, turn away now: LEGO’s Sandworm isn’t what you’re looking for
Dune fans are already clamouring for a LEGO Sandworm alongside the newly-revealed 10327 Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter, but there’s already a brick-built beast out there.
Sandworms, or the Shai-Hulud, are integral to Dune, not only as a danger to those walking across the deserts (prompting the widespread uses of ornithopters) but also as the producers of melange, also known as spice. The highly addictive substance is the waste (read: poop) of the sandworms and is the most valuable material of the planet, giving people who ingest it powers, long life, and the side effect of blue eyes.
The LEGO Group has just made its first foray into the world of Dune with 10327 Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter but some are already pushing for still more sets based on Denis Villeneuve’s space opera. One of the most enduring images from the movie is of the monstrous sandworms, which could make a natural second set if the LEGO Icons designers wanted to pursue more sets from the franchise.
However, if they don’t there is already a brick-built sandworm out there – just not quite the design as Dune fans might be wanting.
71349 Beetlejuice Fun Pack includes a buildable Saturn’s Sandworm, which can also rebuilt into a Spooky Spider – something that Dune’s Shai-Hulud can’t, if we’re comparing. For hardcore Dune fans though, we’d imagine Beetlejuice’s companion won’t stack up. After all, 71349 Beetlejuice Fun Pack’s beast looks more similar to 71426 Piranha Plant than the round, ridged monster that lives under the sands of Arrakis.
There’s no word on whether the LEGO Group will be making any more sets based on Dune. Seeing as 10327 Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter is housed under the LEGO Icons theme, it seems unlikely. Judging from past one-off entries into franchises like Ghostbusters, Transformers, and Back to the Future, this could well be the only Dune-themed build we get. Still, after 21319 Central Perk, we still got 10292 The Friends Apartments as a follow-up, so never say never.
LEGO Icons 10327 Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter releases on February 1, 2024 for £149.99 / $164.99 / €164.99 and is available to pre-order now.
Featured image: Warner Bros.
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Just something to note in regards to the statement “Judging from past one-off entries into franchises like Ghostbusters, Transformers, and Back to the Future, this could well be the only Dune-themed build we get.” Ghostbusters and Back To The Future have both had multiple sets. Ghostbusters has had 5 sets made and 4 Dimensions expansions, while Back to the Future has had 3 sets made and 2 Dimensions sets. So if the Ornithopter does well, I would say odds are favourable for further sets.