Introducing LEGO 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina – a brick-built hive of scum and villainy

September 9, 2020 | 25

After an unceremonious reveal on Facebook, we finally have our first official look (and crispy HD photos) of the upcoming LEGO 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina – the definitive version of everyone’s favourite hive of scum and villainy.

The Master Builder Series Set (this isn’t classified under the UCS umbrella) weighs in at 3,187 pieces, and will be priced at US$349.99 / AU$529.99, with a global release date of 1 October 2020. LEGO VIP members will receive early access to the set on 16 September 2020.

Regional product links and pricing as below:

• LEGO 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina [US] – US$349.99
• LEGO 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina [AUS] – AU$529.99
• LEGO 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina [UK] – £319.99
• LEGO 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina [EU] – €349.19
• LEGO 75290 Mos Eisley Cantina [CAN] – CA$449.99

As a Master Builder Series set, the 2020 Mos Eisley Cantina set is designed with playability in mind. Featuring detailed interiors, and a whopping 21 minifigures included, this really is the ultimate take on the iconic cantina from A New Hope.

I hope I got the names right, and apologies if I mucked anyone up.

The lineup of minifigures is definitely the biggest draw of the set, and with 21 characters, the designers have ensured that the crowded and bustling nature of the Mos Eisley Cantina is captured perfectly, thanks to wide variety of aliens included – many of which are making their debut as LEGO minifigures.

As a Star Wars fan, the myriad of characters included just feels like a job well done from LEGO, and for many die-hard fans, this alone would justify the asking price of the set.

Here’s a full gallery with individual minifigure photos for a closer look. I really, really like Obi Wan’s new hood, which has received an update with much more detailed fabric textures to it.

Designed as a highly detailed playset, the LEGO Mos Eisley Cantina opens up to revealed detailed interiors where you can re-enact some of your favourite scenes from A New Hope as Luke Skywalker and Obi Wan attempt to secure the services of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon.

The central bar, staffed by Wuher is the centrepiece of the display, with plenty of room for aliens to mingle.

There are plenty of rooms and booths built into the walls, to allow for all sorts of illicit activity to be undertaken by Cantina patrons.

And of course, it wouldn’t be the Mos Eisley Cantina if you couldn’t set up this iconic scene where HAN SHOOTS FIRST.

I see LEGO is trying to lie and suggest that Greedo shot first, and that Han shot him in self defence, but I trust that you know better.

I really like this cool Landspeeder included in the set as well.

And as another bonus for Star Wars fans, we finally see the return of a Dewback which has received a slight update with its printing.

The Mos Eisley Cantina is such an iconic location in Star Wars lore, and while writing this, I can’t help but have the band music playing in my head.

I think a lot of Star Wars fans will be delighted with the Master Builder Series treatment afforded to the cantina – the highly detailed playset and armada of minifigures included make for a very compelling package, in spite of the high price.

Unless you’re a hardcore Star Wars fan itching to get this set because you just HAVE to get your hands on a Ponda Baba minifigure, it’d be worth waiting on this set to go on discount, where it becomes a really worthwhile purchase.

Given the notoriety of the Mos Eisley Cantina, and how well this set is put together, I can see this being a success for LEGO and for Star Wars fans.

The 2020 Mos Eisley Cantina set releases on 16 September for VIP members, and on 1 October for everyone else and will be available on LEGO.com or your local LEGO Brand Retail/Certified Store.

Are you a Star Wars fan? Do you think they’ve done the Mos Eisley Cantina justice? Let me know what you think in the comments!