As we approach the end of 2021, our attention naturally turns towards new 2022 LEGO sets, and leaks, and retailer product lists start trickling out from usual corners of the internet.
I however, am most excited about 2022 being LEGO’s 90th Anniversary, an incredible milestone for The LEGO Group, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what Billund has in store for all of us.
This isn’t based on any inside information, but just wishful thinking and an educated guess of what I think we’ll get!
The big one – the winner of the 90th Anniversary Fan Vote
The big reveal that everyone is waiting for will be the LEGO Ideas 90th Anniversary Fan Vote – a showdown between the top 4 winners of the fan vote: Bionicle, Classic Space, Pirates and Castle.
I cannot see LEGO picking any other theme but Classic Space – a theme beloved within the LEGO Design Team, but also to longtime AFOLs and Adult Fans.
My prediction? An actual LEGO moonbase that draws inspiration from 6970 Beta 1 Command Base, complete with an updated 928 Space Cruiser, slightly modernised using contemporary elements.
In the moonbase, a rainbow assortment of Classic Space minifigures, including the addition of a brand new colour – a Teal / Turqouise.
Well, based on this shot of the LEGO Designers, with props from the Rebuild the World Ad Campaign, which also curiously includes a Teal Classic Space outfit, worn by Niek van Slagmaat.
This is a colour that has never existed in LEGO’s history, and LEGO Designers have a special relationship with Teal, so I think we could expect a brand new Classic Space Astronaut in 2022, with the 90th Anniversary set.
Bonus prediction: while I think Classic Space will win, I think we’ll also see smaller renditions of sets inspired by Bionicle, Classic Pirates and Castle as gift with purchases (GWPs), or smaller commemorative releases.
A 90th Anniversary Collectible Minifigure Series
My next prediction? Instead of the typical three LEGO Collectible Minifigures (CMFs) we see in a year, we’ll get a FOURTH series, devoted to classic themes, and characters from LEGO’s 90 years of history. Yes, this is in addition to Series 22 and the rumoured Muppets series.
In the same vein as LEGO Minifigures Series 18 which celebrated 40 years of the minifigure, I think we’ll see LEGO devote a special series to some of its most iconic characters.
With the new 12-character CMF series, here’s what I’d love the characters to be:
- Pizza Chef (Classic Town)
- Red Spaceman (Classic Space)
- Captain Redbeard (Classic Pirates)
- Forestwoman (Forestman)
- Willa the Witch (Fright Knights)
- Merlin / Majisto (Dragon Masters)
- Female Aquazone Minifigure (Aquazone)
- Female Space Police Minifigure (Space Police 1)
- Nya (Ninjago)
- Baron von Barron (Adventurers)
- Koala Suit Girl (LEGO Minifigures)
- Octan Driver (Town)
Homages to other LEGO themes throughout the year
2022 is also going to be a big year of celebrations for a number of LEGO themes celebrating anniversaries, and I can see LEGO bundling these milestones up to the larger 90th Anniversary celebrations.
In no particular order, 2022 will be:
- 10 years of LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
- 10 years of LEGO DC Super Heroes
- 10 years of LEGO Friends
- 10 years of LEGO Minecraft
- 15 years of LEGO Modular Buildings
I suspect we’ll see some commemorative minifigures for DC, and Marvel, in the same vein as the recent Harry Potter golden anniversary minifigures.
I also think we’ll get some really special LEGO Friends sets, given it’s been one of LEGO’s most important modern themes, rivalling Ninjago for commercial and cultural impact.
It’ll be interesting to also see what LEGO does with Minecraft, given the enduring popularity of the LEGO theme as well as the computer game. Maybe a full-sized LEGO update with official skins, textures and updates that officially integrate LEGO’s aesthetics into the game, or a sub-game?
Oh, and as I‘ve speculated when LEGO released their new Rebuild the World ad – I can see LEGO re-releasing an updated version of the Cafe Corner as well – perfect timing for the 15th Anniversary of modulars!
Commemorative and Vintage LEGO sets
Outside of that, similar to LEGO’s 60th Anniversary, I can also expect LEGO to go heavy on vintage-inspired product design, as well as commemorative sets – possibly in the Creator 3-in-1, and Classic Theme?
This is wishful thinking, but I would LOVE to see LEGO bring back the classic flip-top box design back, even if it’s just for the 90th Anniversary set. LEGO have proven their ability to go all out for packaging (such as with the Adidas Superstar), so surely they could bring back the transparent windows.
That would make me (and many others) so happy.
And that’s it – some very early unsubstantiated predictions of 2022 and what LEGO might do with their 90th Anniversary plans! Rest assured, it’s an incredible milestone for The LEGO Group, so expect to see this being a major focus for 2022.
If you’d like to listen to me and Richard from The Rambling Brick discuss and speculate about 2022, you can check out our latest Extra Pieces podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts from.
What do you think LEGO might do for their 90th Anniversary? Let me know in the comments what’s in your wildest dreams!
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I can’t wait for 2022!
Hmm, except for the CMF #22 and the likely upcoming spring Muppets CMF series, there’s a lot of speculation out there.
Comparing licensed series from before, we find:
Disney (2016, 2019) (Release fitting in schedule, popular brand worldwide, big backlog of popular characters.)
Marvel (2021) (Massive franchise, whether your considering the comics, cinematic movies or TV series. Too soon?)
DC (TLBM 2017, 2018, DC 2020) (Look above)
Harry Potter (2018, 2020) (The character scope seems relatively limited compared to many other franchises. Hard to see that there’ll be that many fan favorites that couldn’t be put in any of the regular sets…)
Star Wars (Lego apparently stated as late as this year that their contract prevents a Star Wars CMF series. Not sure on how likely that is to change.)
Someone mentioned Hanna-Barbera as another brand with nostalgic appeal to Generation X, but considering how ubiquitous their series were in the 70s and 80’s, except for Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry, almost none of them seem to be particularly well known by people under 30. I guess it’s possible if Lego’d produce a weighted line with five slots for Scooby and the Gang, two for Tom and Jerry, two for Fred and Barney, Two for Dastardley and Muttley, and one for Yogi Bear or something, mostly ignoring the scope of their historical production…
That’s true, I could see a Disney Series 3 which is way overdue.
I would be very surprised to see another Marvel series. Maybe in 2022, but doing another one would over-saturate the market, in my opinion.
The real gangster move would be to do a Super Heroes Series, and blend both Marvel and DC. Next year seems big for DC with The Batman, Aquaman 2, Black Adam, The Flash…. so maybe?
I doubt we’ll ever see a Star Wars CMF – unless it’s some really left off field material like the Star Wars Visions/Terrifying Tales characters. Which would bea lot of fun.
Hannah Barbera would be nice… but I’d much rather have brick-built series.
There’s also the 60 year anniversary of the Spider-Man comics, so we could hopefully receive some obscure, oddball minifigs such as Spot, White Rabbit, Leap-Frog or The Tinkerer. (Or recent fan favorites such as Mister Negative or Silk.)
Oh that sounds great, I wasn’t aware of the comics anniversary.
Might be a good idea for a Kingpin bigfig…
Hopefully a new updated town hall ? A used one is expensive in the scalpers market 🙁
Ooooh, I can see them bringing that one back, but maybe not in the next few years as Green Grocer and Cafe Corner are even more sought after and expensive!
Hi, I am looking forward to 90th Anniversary in 2022.
I hope Lego will have something new, probably a tabletop game with Lego
basic colour.
Just want some changes to make more varieties.
Long live Lego and happy anniversary.
Oh tabletop gaming would be interesting!
My most played with set is/was the Beta1 command base. In fact, it was the first set I rebuilt following my parents finally clearing out their loft and giving me all my old lego that had been stored in their loft. I seemed to only be missing a couple of pieces too – the classic TV aerial (which I remember stepping on as a kid) and one of the 1×1 blocks with a grab hand that I fashioned out of some plates for my rebuild.
I’d love to see an updated set based on that, or even an updated 628. I actually had a couple of 6890 Cosmic Cruiser and I loved the play element of the mini-ship inside the main ship, so maybe a new classic space ship based off that would be fun as well.
Love that you have such a personal connection to the set, thanks for sharing your story! Those TV aerials were SO fragile, and it’s very rare to get one in good condition!
Fingers crossed for Classic Space!
Is there really a Koala Suit Girl minifigure?I want one.
Not specifically, it seems. I guess it’s just Jay’s Aussie Pride shining through…
It’s one of the most recognizable “cute” animal in the world that hasn’t been turned into a costume yet…. so I think it’s the perfect candidate!
I don’t know whether this is “Jay’s Taro” or Supernatural “Brick Reading”?
If even one of these predictions comes off you’ll be known as “Jaytradamas”!
Fingers crossed! 🤞
I would love to see some vintage technic in the mix
I am really hoping for a classic castle theme. Lego has the ability to do so many interesting things with that particular theme.
This is too exciting. If some or most of this happens then wow.
Do you think there will be a Lego train released in 2022?