Has the LEGO Avatar theme fallen prey to price increases?

The new sets in the LEGO Avatar theme comes with a significant price tag, suggesting they’re a victim of the LEGO Group’s announced price rises.

LEGO has continued to mushroom in popularity over the last few years, reflecting its status as a premium product. Its elements are designed to stand up to the rigours of play, offering compatibility with past LEGO elements and ensuring a good time in the future.

Unfortunately, the premium nature of LEGO also means it can be expensive. Sets like 75313 AT-AT have pushed LEGO pricing to new heights, with an RRP of £699.99 / $799.99 / €799.99. That’s a problem that appears to be worsening, with the LEGO Group announcing price increases on many of its products in the near future. The changes will come into effect this autumn, with around a quarter of currently available LEGO sets affected by them.

LEGO announces prices will rise later this year amid ‘increased costs’
Which LEGO sets are likely to increase in price?

lego

Now it seems that the new LEGO Avatar theme will be swept up in that storm. A recent glut of rumours has shone a light on the upcoming product collection, with names, piece counts and prices detailed for all four of the initial sets in the wave. Drawing inspiration from the original 2009 movie, the details we currently have can be found below:

75571 Neytiri & Thanator vs. AMP Suit Quaritch – 560 pieces, €44.99
75572 Jake’s and Neytiri’s First Flight on a Banshee – 572 pieces, €54.99
75573 Floating Mountains: Site 26 & RDA Samson – 887 pieces, €99.99
75574 Toruk Makto & Tree of Souls – 1,212 pieces, €149.99

As you can see, LEGO Avatar fans (who presumably exist) face a steep investment if they’re interested in these sets. The prices stand in stark contrast to other licensed themes, which tend to have a wider array of sets at different price points.

The range of sets produced for Marvel’s Eternals movie are a good example of this idea. Like this rumoured Avatar theme, four LEGO sets were released alongside the superhero flick. They ranged from 76516 Rise of the Domo (priced at £89.99 / $89.99 / €99.99) to 76145 Eternals Aerial Assault (which cost just £8.99 / $9.99 / €9.99).

The lack of smaller models in this range suggests the LEGO Group is counting on the Avatar brand name to help sell them. And if the LEGO Group are going to raise prices on anything in their product line, the tie-ins to a hot new movie release seem like natural candidates.

We don’t have any concrete information on LEGO price rises yet (or even whether this list of Avatar sets is accurate). But the unusually high prices of these models (and the lack of cheaper options) strongly suggests that they’ve fallen prey to this new initiative.

That may come back to haunt the LEGO Group, as it’s not clear if the upcoming Avatar: The Way of Water can replicate the success of the original. The first movie shot to success because of its use of 3D technology and (for the time) impressive visuals. But as 3D has fallen by the wayside and lush, CGI worlds are SOP in today’s cinema landscape, it seems possible Avatar (and its LEGO sets) will struggle to make the same impact.

Still, with the sequel’s December release drawing ever closer, we’ll soon find out either way.

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