LegoIndiana Jones is a Lego theme based on the Indiana Jonesfilm franchise, licensed from Lucasfilm. The exclusive franchise was first announced in June 2007, and followed the successful Lego Star Wars franchise, also with Lucasfilm. The first set of products were launched in 2008, based upon two of the three earlier films. Sets featuring scenes from the fourth film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, were released alongside the film, later in 2008. The Temple of Doom film was not featured until 2009, in a large set which re-created the mine-cart chase using new narrow-gauge Lego train track. The theme also features in a video game series. ' was released on June 3, 2008, based on the original trilogy. A sequel, called ', was released in November 2009, including scenes from the new Kingdom of the Crystal Skull film, along with a level editor feature. A computer-animated short film, Lego Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Brick, directed by Peder Pedersen, was also released on the official Lego site. It combines details from all four Indiana Jones films in one adventure.
Development
The development of the Indiana Jones Lego theme followed a similar process to other Lego themes, with sets being designed by Lego's team of designers in Billund, in consultation with franchise owner Lucasfilm. The inclusion of guns within the sets was a cause of some internal controversy.
Sets
Of the initial wave of sets released in 2008, Temple Escape was one of the biggest, and features the famous boulder chase scene from the opening sequence of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Measuring 53 cm long, the set included numerous 'booby traps' from the film, including shooting spears and tumbling rocks. As well as Indiana Jones himself, the set included minifigs of René Belloq and Satipo. Pilot Jock and his seaplane were also included as a late addition, with the Lego designer and Lucasfilm agreeing that they were an important addition to complete the scene. Two other medium-size sets released at the same time also featured scenes from the Lost Ark film. The Lost Tomb depicted a snake-filled tomb, which Indy must escape from, and Race for the Stolen Treasure depicted the chase scene from the film, with Indy riding a horse in pursuit of a truck. Later in 2008, four sets were released featuring scenes from the new film. The biggest of these was Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which focused on the final scene of the movie, and included a rotating circle of 'crystal skeletons', as well as the falling obelisk tower. The characters Mutt Williams, Irina Spalko and two Ugha Warriors were all included in minifig form, as well as Indy and an unnamed Russian soldier. In 2009, the 'gap' of having no sets from The Temple of Doom was filled with two new sets featuring scenes from the film. The biggest of the two, The Temple of Doom, included new narrower gauge Lego train tracks in order to re-create the mine cart chase scene from the second half of the film. Six track piece were included in two shapes, four as curves and two as slopes. Straight track pieces for this new type of train track have not yet been released in any set. The second-biggest set released in 2009 was Venice Canal Chase, which depicts the boat chase scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The set includes two boats, one driven by Indy and Elsa Schneider, and the other driven by two Grail Guardians. The boats appear largely identical bar a few colour differences, but contain different button-activated actions - one boats splits in two when a button is pressed, the other one features an 'exploding' motor. The two Grail Guardian minifigs are notable for their dark red Fez hats, which is a new Lego element. The set also features a Venetian style bridge and an exploding pier.
Products
Future
The line was discontinued in 2010, but since Lucas plans to make a fifth installment to the franchise, the sets may be re-released along with new sets of the possible fifth Indiana Jones film. Due to the fact Disney bought Lucasfilm and will be making a new Indiana Jones movie, chances of new sets are high.
Reception
The Indiana Jones sets proved to be one of the most popular Lego themes, and by the end of 2008 were credited, along with Lego Star Wars, of boosting the Lego Group's profits within a stagnant toy market. The product line was said to have "sold extremely well - especially on the North American market." The sets were occasionally compared to those of the discontinued Lego Adventurers label, which ran from 1998 to 2003.
Video games
In common with some of the other movie franchise Lego themes, Lego Indiana Jones also features spin-off video games. These combine scenes from the films with the graphic style of the Lego pieces and minifigures.
This was the first videogame released in the series, produced by Traveller's Tales and published by LucasArts in 2008. It features scenes from the first three of the original Indiana Jones films, which can be played in any order.
This game was produced as a sequel to The Original Adventures, and includes scenes from the fourth film in the franchise, as well as all-new scenes from the three original films. The game also added a new level editor.
