LEGO UCS Death Star is an uncanny match for a past book build

A previously-released LEGO Star Wars book features a Death Star build that bears a striking resemblance to the upcoming $1,000 UCS model.

75419 Death Star will be emerging from hyperspace next month, with the 9,023-piece set representing the largest LEGO Star Wars build released to date. The UCS model has already drawn plenty of criticism for its unique shape and design, although the team behind the set has explained why they decided to go in that specific direction.

It’s also worth noting that an early sketch model for 75419 Death Star ultimately dictated the look of the upcoming LEGO Star Wars build, a visual approach that should seem very familiar to those who picked up an officially-licensed DK book published in 2018, as noted by Instagram user brickfunfacts (via wilderland.builds).

LEGO Star Wars Ideas Book features over 200 activities, games and challenges based around a brick-built galaxy far, far away. One such model suggestion can be spotted on the front and back covers of the title, a Death Star display unit that bears more than a passing resemblance to 75419 Death Star.

The much smaller and simpler LEGO Star Wars build is intended to be a way for fans to store and show-off their minifigure collections, with a wheel-like slice of the primarily grey Imperial battle station featuring four separate levels or shelves.

The LEGO Star Wars Ideas Book’s Death Star also boasts a couple of out-of-scale TIE Fighters attached to the side of the build, as well as its own mini-Mk1 Superlaser, although the latter is nowhere near as detailed as the version included in 75419 Death Star.

While it’s highly unlikely that the DK book had any direct influence on the final design of the LEGO Star Wars UCS model, there are some similarities between the two. That includes the build’s basic overall shape, its sturdy base and multiple minifigures inside, although it’s certainly one that can be constructed for much less than $1,000.

75419 Death Star will be released first for LEGO Insiders on October 1, 2025, with wider availability for all from October 4. The LEGO Star Wars set is priced at £899.99 / $999.99 / €999.99 and comes with a free 40771 TIE Fighter with Imperial Hangar Rack GWP for Insiders members until October 7 (while stocks last).

To find out everything you need to know about 75419 Death Star, check out our review of the LEGO Star Wars UCS set right here.

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