LEGO confirms Hocus Pocus candle error is just a rendering issue

The iconic black flame candle in the new LEGO Hocus Pocus set has caused consternation among fans of the cult classic thanks to its colour – but the LEGO Group says it’s just a rendering issue.

Superfans of the Disney movie will remember that the black flame candle is the catalyst that resurrects the three witches Winifred, Sarah and Mary in 1993, a full 300 years after they were executed for the murder of Emily Binx. The story goes that if the flame is lit by a virgin on Halloween night during a full moon, the sisters will return for as long as it burns.

But the black flame – which casts no light – only lasts for a single night, driving the sisters to seek out human souls to enable them to live on. This simple idea propels the entire plot of Hocus Pocus, which makes the candle an integral detail to not only the movie, but any subsequent Hocus Pocus merchandise… like the brand new LEGO Ideas set launching next month.

The good news is that 21341 Disney Hocus Pocus: The Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage does include the black flame candle, complete with a printed 1x1 cylinder to represent the markings on the wax. But in the official product shots of the set, the flame piece itself appears to be completely transparent, rather than black. According to LEGO Ideas Design Manager Jordan Scott, that isn’t just an oversight by the design team.

“The packaging is done with a render and the lighting makes it look fully transparent, but it’s actually transparent black,” Scott clarifies to Brick Fanatics and other LEGO Fan Media. “It will be slightly darker than it appears on the render. It’s not the trans-dark brown that we’ve had, it’s the newer trans-black. Because candles are a little bit see-through, we didn’t want to make it fully black, so you do have some transparency there. I’m hoping fans will be a lot happier when they physically hold it.”

A handful of 21341 Disney Hocus Pocus: The Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage’s lifestyle images – which are photos of the physical product, rather than computer-generated renders – do actually show the correctly-coloured black flame piece, confirming Scott’s assertions. This is the first time the element has appeared in trans-black, which first debuted as a colourway in 75346 Pirate Snub Fighter.

You’ll be able to get your hands on the black flame candle – and 21341 Disney Hocus Pocus: The Sanderson Sisters’ Cottage – from July 1 if you’re a VIP member, or July 4 if not. The 2,316-piece set will retail for £199.99 / $229.99 / €229.99.

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