LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader designer teases mystery Easter egg

The designer behind 75439 Darth Vader Bust has teased a mystery Easter egg in the LEGO Star Wars set’s build, while also revealing that the team ‘didn’t have to start from scratch’.

One of two LEGO Star Wars busts joining the theme in April, 75439 Darth Vader Bust isn’t the first set to tackle the Sith Lord’s iconic headgear at this sort of scale. At the same time, this subtheme actually has its roots in the Marvel theme – and those twin factors paved the way for LEGO designer Aaron Newman to recreate Vader’s iconic features once more.

“Being given the brief to tackle a classic character like Darth Vader – who’s always been one of my favourites – was an added treat,” he said on Instagram. “Thanks to the format set by the LEGO superheroes team with their Iron Man and Spider-Man busts, and prior times Darth Vader has been recreated by skilled designers on the LEGO Star Wars team, we didn’t have to start from scratch.

“Nevertheless, we sought to introduce novelty in the overall expression and create a version of Vader that would be perfect for fans’ shelves. One of the most fun challenges lay in sculpting Darth Vader’s outer helm, with its unusual – but iconic – geometry. The excellent Darth Vader Helmet from 2021 used a studs-up texture to blend these shapes together; here, the smaller scale presented us with the opportunity to use reflective LEGO domed elements. I love the glossy finish we achieved in the end.”

You might recognise Aaron’s name: not only did he compete in the first season of LEGO MASTERS USA, he’s also the talented designer behind a swathe of strong Creator 3-in-1 sets (including 31161 Medieval Dragon and 31166 Beautiful Horse) and this year’s 76344 Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition. Given his well-honed character-building skills, it’s no surprise to see his first LEGO Star Wars set is a bust.

And speaking of build… according to Aaron, there’s at least one Easter egg awaiting anyone who grabs 75349 Darth Vader Bust next month. “Darth Vader is one of cinema’s most notorious villains,” he added. “But, if you decide to pick this model up, you may discover during the build that a little bit of ‘light side’ remains in Anakin after all…”

Brightly-coloured internal elements are pretty much a given in any LEGO build, so Aaron is presumably referencing something more direct here – a smiling Hayden Christensen face underneath the helmet? A blue lightsaber stashed away in his chest? Pop your suggestions in the comments.

75439 Darth Vader Bust launches April 26 for £44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 and is available to pre-order now, alongside 75438 Yoda Bust.

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