LEGO Minifigure Vending Machine’s Paradisa holidaymakers go where Leia couldn’t

LEGO Ideas 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine’s Paradisa minifigures go where last year’s LEGO Star Wars Jabba’s Sail Barge Leia couldn’t.

21358 Minifigure Vending Machine features two holidaymakers, both sporting Paradisa tops and beach-ready clothing in the form of Speedos. This is in itself a reference back to the LEGO Paradisa sub-theme of the ’90s, but their breezy swimwear might strike a more recent chord with LEGO Star Wars fans.

Last year’s 75397 Jabba’s Sail Barge version of Princess Leia, seen as she was depicted while captured by Jabba the Hutt, sparked criticism from some fans who thought it wasn’t accurate enough to the movie version. Indeed, the red printing down to the knees did make Leia look more like she’s wearing basketball shorts than the iconic gold bikini, especially when compared to her earlier version from 4480 Jabba’s Palace.

The fact that the Paradisa beachgoers can breeze around in Speedos but 75397’s Leia needs to cover up could be out of the LEGO Group’s hands, of course. Although Disney didn’t make Return of the Jedi, the company does own it and all its licenses now and might not have thought that it fit the family-friendly image – but we’re just speculating there, of course.

Whatever the reason for Leia’s look, the Paradisa beachy minifigures, and much of the rest of 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine’s line-up besides, proves what the LEGO Group can do with its in-house lines, like Paradisa, Fabuland, Castle, and more. Now that ’90s kids are all grown up with their own funds, we’ve been seeing more and more of this nostalgic looks back to times gone by, upgraded for the modern, adult-focused era.

21358 and its 18+ branding is more proof of that. You likely couldn’t fit so many different licensed themes into one minifigure vending machine, but the wealth of references and deep cuts present in the upcoming LEGO Ideas set highlights what the LEGO Group can achieve with its deep backlog of popular brands and themes.

21358 Minifigure Vending Machine will retail for £149.99 / $179.99 / €169.99 with 1,343 pieces (including 16 minifigures) upon its release on June 1 for LEGO Insiders or June 4 for everyone.

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