How many LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 sets on shelves are too many?

09/10/202309/10/2023 Jack Yates 9567 Views 1 Comment

Despite their reported differences, the rumour of a LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 model for 2024 comes as a surprise as there’s already one on shelves.

According to a new rumour from Promobricks’ Max Börnicke, 75379 R2-D2 is scheduled for launch on March 1, 2024. Said to include a buildable astromech, it’s believed to cost €99.99 for 1,050 pieces. However, there’s already a LEGO R2-D2 set on shelves and it’s currently scheduled to stick around until the end of 2024 – 75308 R2-D2.

While the available model has 2,314 pieces for £209.99/$239.99/€239.99, coming in at double the size and price of the rumoured set, there are likely to be more than a few similarities between the 2021 remake of 10225 R2-D2 and the rumoured 75379 R2-D2.

By the sounds of it, 75379 R2-D2 may be more to scale with the likes of 8009 R2-D2, the astromech from 75253 Droid Commander or the build from 9748 Droid Developer Kit.

Reports suggest that the 2024 R2-D2 model may include an articulated head, a third leg, a periscope, tools and even an information plaque, all of which are currently present in 75308 R2-D2.

Rumour states that the 2024 set could be targeted at a younger audience but the most notable difference is in its minifigure selection, or more accurately one of them. The rumoured minifigures are R2-D2 – like the 2021 model – and Darth Malak from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for the 25th anniversary of the theme.

The inclusion of an appealing, arguably random and exclusive minifigure may help to differentiate between the two and possibly convince LEGO Star Wars enthusiasts to pick up both builds.

Otherwise, the only differences according to the report between the rumoured set and the available model are the price, piece count and the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm element in 75308 R2-D2. The devil is going to be in the details it would appear as two LEGO R2-D2’s would arguably be hard to tell apart upon first impression on shelves.

Should this rumour be believed, though it must still be taken with caution until officially confirmed, it seems that we may see how many LEGO Star Wars R2-D2 sets are too many for shelves in 2024. That is unless 75308 R2-D2 is about to have a sudden change to its planned retirement.

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Author Profile

Jack Yates

LEGO has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started when my brother passed down 7657 AT-ST to me. It’s guided me through my early years, through school and eventually through my degree in journalism. I still have all my collection proudly on display, including my many NINJAGO sets, my favourite of all the LEGO Group’s themes. Outside of Brick Fanatics I am an avid gamer and enjoy a good game of Dungeons & Dragons.