LEGO Star Wars Fans Wage Battle of the Figurines!
Ah, the age-old question that divides fans like a Sith Lord separating a Jedi from their lightsaber: Why can’t all LEGO Star Wars sets just get along? This time, our beloved Jabba’s Sailboat (set 75397) is under fire for its choice of minifigures, and the designer, César Soares, is stepping into the Star Wars cantina to defend his choices. Now, before we start throwing mini LEGO bricks, let’s remember: it’s just plastic! Or is it? The last time I bought a LEGO set, I had to tighten my budget and my willpower!
To start with, Soares points out that comparing the Sail Barge’s minifigs to those in Rivendell (10316) is more like comparing a podracer to a scenic Camden River view. Yes, they’re both amazing in their own right, but one’s a glamorous getaway and the other is…well, Jabba. And let’s be honest, Jabba isn’t exactly known for his “fine dining experiences.” Not unless you count
Salacious B. Crumb’s constant whining as *food for thought*!
Now, don’t get me wrong; the lineup in Micromanager Jabba’s set is diverse: you’ve got the large, sculpted Jabba (because what is he, a protein smoothie?), a cheeky Salacious B. Crumb, and a well-rounded line-up of traditional minifigs that would make even the Grand Moff drool with jealousy. I mean: R2-D2, C-3PO, and Max Rebo? Oh, my heart! Where do I sign up for a tribute concert?
But alas, there’s criticism! “Why is there no Han? Where’s Luke? Chewbacca better be in the next gig as a bouncer!” The truth behind this design dilemma is that it’s a bit like casting for a blockbuster; you can’t have ’em all. Soares insists that choosing the minifigure cast was a strategic masterclass to maximize both sets, like a two-for-one sale on your favorite LEGO franchise! It’s like aunt Gertrude didn’t want you having both cake and ice cream, so you had to choose one!
César goes on to explain how characters like Leia and Jabba were non-negotiable; apparently, you can’t have a boat party with your favorite crime lord without the hostess inviting some bling—sorry, I meant Princess Leia! So much pressure on the design team to balance fan service and profitability! If only they had a magic wand; wait, wrong franchise, don’t try to use the Elder Wand on LEGO folks, there’s no instruction manual for those shenanigans!
And while it might be logical to draw comparisons between sets in the same price range (or galaxy far, far away), César practically rolls his eyes. “Look,” he says, “our design team works within a budget. We can’t just fill the set with every beloved character – that would be like gorging on the entire buffet! Yes, for the same price, but think!“
But the customer’s sentiment here is perfectly understandable! When you’re forking out £429.99 / $499.99, you expect a *few* more characters in action than just R2-D2 acting like a glorified doorbell. What’s next – voices like *“hello, is it me you’re looking for?”* Okay, I need to be careful; I’m crossing over into music references, and I’m looking at a strict LEGO set here!
So what’s the *punchline*?
In short, LEGO Star Wars: Jabba’s Sailboat isn’t here to settle the feuds. It’s an ambitious project with delightful characters but comes with limitations as strict as Yoda’s training regimens. With this ongoing conversation, we can either embrace the imperfections of intergalactic toy collecting or we can resort to cleverly replacing our broken minifigures with highly-priced collectible figures!
So, what will it be? Will we judge the Sail Barge for a less-than-perfect minifigure selection or enter the whole universe of LEGO as a joyful collector? Your move—after all, even Jabba had to choose a side… usually the one with the most snacks!
Further Reading
If you’re a true LEGO aficionado and want to dive deeper into the world of tiny plastic wonders, check out their ultimate collection with 75397 Jabba’s Sail Barge, available now for your very own construction adventures.
And if you ever considered journalism mixed with a passion for LEGO as an aspiring career path—remember, all it leads to is delightful plastic assemblies with just the right amount of chaos!
Finally, remind your LEGO friends: It’s not the number of minifigs you have, but the memories you build (before you accidentally step on one). Happy building!
César Soares, the creative mind behind the design of LEGO Star Wars 75397 Jabba’s Sailboat, has expressed that comparisons between this set’s minifigures and those from 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell are fundamentally misleading. He emphasizes that such comparisons overlook the complexity and thoughtfulness that went into selecting the figures for this iconic set.
Critics of the UCS Sail Barge have raised eyebrows over its figure assortment, which features a substantial sculpted Jabba the Hutt figurine, a diminutive Salacious B. Crumb, and a collection of nine traditional minifigures: Princess Leia, R2-D2, C-3PO, Bib Fortuna, Max Rebo, Kithaba, Vizam, Wooof, and a Gamorrean Guard. While this diverse ensemble certainly adds flair, it diverges considerably from the expansive character roster seen in models like 75290 Mos Eisley Winery or the lushly populated Rivendell set.
César remarked that both the Sail Barge and Rivendell sets showcase a rich array of characters relevant to their respective universes; however, he contended that drawing parallels between a sailing vessel in the Star Wars galaxy and a landmark from Middle-earth serves only to invite confusion. He likened the act to comparing apples and oranges due to the unique narratives and character dynamics present in each set.
“I’ve seen a few people comparing the Sail Barge to sets in the same price range, like 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell,” César said in a recent interview. “I can understand why, but I’m not sure that’s very accurate, as the minifigure selection here is much more complex than the minifigure selection at Rivendell. In addition to the many new prints, there are also some characters that are particularly expensive to produce.”
The omission of key characters such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and Boba Fett from 75397 Jabba’s Sailboat may raise eyebrows, yet César clarifies that fans can find these iconic figures in the accompanying set, 75396 Desert Boat and Sarlacc Pit. This strategic decision was part of their overarching plan to “maximize the quantity and variety” across both sets, even as designers grapple with inherent “limitations” that prevent the inclusion of every desired character.
César further elaborated, stating, “Some of the characters included were clear from the start, especially Jabba and Leia, because without them you can’t really have the sailing ship. C-3PO and R2-D2 were also guaranteed and we were pretty sure Max Rebo would be there. For the rest, we had to choose from the many options, taking into account what we already had available.”
“As you can imagine, this was an extremely lengthy discussion and if only the graphic designers had their way, everyone would be included!” he added, hinting at the complexities involved in assembling the perfect team of minifigures.
Interestingly, César appears to subtly shift the responsibility for the Sail Barge’s minifigure selections towards higher management, suggesting that the decisions ultimately rest with those who establish the budget and profit margins for LEGO sets. The designers operate within a framework that balances creativity with commercial viability, making the task of character selection both challenging and strategic.
It is crucial to recognize that no two LEGO sets are identical; nevertheless, they do exist within a shared marketplace, prompting the community to draw connections between 75397 Jabba’s Sail Barge, priced at £429.99 / $499.99 / €499.99, and other similarly priced sets. For consumers, these considerations are less about the nuances of design discussions and more about value and opportunity, particularly when purchasing at the same price point.
Further reading
75397 Jabba’s Sail Barge is now available. Check out our review of the latest LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series set here.
Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links.
Author profile
Chris Wharfe I like to think of myself as a journalist first, LEGO fan second, but we all know that’s not really the case. Journalism, however, runs through my veins like a kind of strange literary blood—the kind that will undoubtedly one day lead to stress-induced cardiac dysfunction. It’s like smoking, only worse. Luckily I can talk about LEGO until then.
What led to the decision to include certain minifigures in Jabba’s Sailboat set while excluding others like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo?
**Interview with LEGO Designer César Soares on the Controversial Jabba’s Sailboat Set**
**Editor (E)**: Welcome, César! It’s great to have you here with us to discuss the much-debated LEGO Star Wars: Jabba’s Sailboat set. Fans are buzzing with opinions about the minifigure selection. What’s your take on this uproar?
**César Soares (C)**: Thank you for having me! First off, I totally understand the excitement. Fans have strong connections to these characters, and when they think about LEGO, they want to see their favorites included. However, comparing this set to others, like Rivendell, is like comparing a podracer to a scenic river view. They belong to different stories and themes.
**E**: That makes sense! Can you explain how you chose the character lineup for Jabba’s Sailboat?
**C**: Absolutely. We had several characters in mind from the start, notably Jabba and Leia—they’re essential to the narrative. Then we added R2-D2 and C-3PO because they complement the scene perfectly. Max Rebo was a must-have as well! The decision process was very detailed, involving discussions on character significance and representation. We also needed to ensure there was variety without stretching our resources too thin.
**E**: Some fans are disappointed to see the absence of iconic characters like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Any thoughts on that?
**C**: That’s a valid point! But the absence of those characters doesn’t mean they won’t appear in other sets. For instance, fans can find them in the complementary set, Desert Boat and Sarlacc Pit. Our goal was to maximize the variety across both products, providing fans with a broader selection overall.
**E**: That’s a clever strategy! Still, can you understand the feeling of expectations when someone spends almost £430 on a set?
**C**: Of course! I empathize with our customers. It’s a significant investment, and they want value for their money. We are committed to delivering high-quality, exciting sets, but we also work within budgets and production limitations. Ultimately, each decision is in service to the bigger picture—creating a rich LEGO universe.
**E**: So, you think fans should embrace the imperfections, maybe like Jabba does with his snacks?
**C**: Exactly! Collecting LEGO is meant to be joyful. Instead of fixating on what’s missing, I encourage fans to enjoy the experience of building, storytelling, and the memories that come along with it. After all, it’s not just about the number of minifigures; it’s about building a universe of adventure and creativity.
**E**: Wise words! Lastly, what’s next for you and the LEGO team in the Star Wars realm?
**C**: We’re continually exploring exciting new themes and ideas. Keep your eyes peeled for future releases! And remember, we’re all about creating vibrant, imaginative worlds for fans to enjoy.
**E**: Thanks, César! It’s been a pleasure chatting with you. Here’s to more adventures in the LEGO galaxy!
**C**: Thank you! May the Force be with all LEGO fans!