LEGO’s ‘Dune’ Sandworm Set Leak Sends Fans into a Frenzy

Few sci-fi franchises boast visual iconography that captivates fans at the mere thought of being transformed into plastic bricks.

The world of Arrakis, with its expansive golden dunes and fearsome creatures hidden beneath the surface, is certainly one of them. Currently, the LEGO community is abuzz over a significant leak indicating that the most iconic monster from Frank Herbert’s universe is finally set to receive its brick-built tribute.

Reliable LEGO leaker Brick Tap, using verified anonymous sources, has revealed details about an upcoming LEGO Icons set that would bring Shai-Hulud to your collection.

Set number 11392, simply named Sandworm, is reported to be a 1,837-piece brick-built model of the enormous worm-like creatures that tunnel through the desert planet of Arrakis, which are also responsible for producing the precious spice known as melange.

With a price tag of $140 and a targeted release date of January 1, this set offers a better value compared to the existing LEGO Dune Ornithopter, which debuted at $165 for just 1,369 pieces. This means the Sandworm provides significantly more pieces per dollar, making it a welcome surprise for fans who found the Ornithopter’s price steep.

While a New Year’s Day release may seem unusual, it is actually standard practice for LEGO and has become a tradition, as January 1 is one of the company’s busiest days for new releases. Therefore, the timing aligns perfectly with LEGO’s established patterns.

This leak is particularly well-timed with the cinematic developments in the ‘Dune’ universe. ‘Dune: Part Three’ is set to premiere on December 18, concluding Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy and taking place 17 years after the events of ‘Part Two’. The film, based on Frank Herbert’s novel ‘Dune Messiah’, reunites Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Rebecca Ferguson. A Sandworm set launching right at the start of the new year, just weeks after the film’s release, is a marketing synergy that seems almost too perfect.

The LEGO Group first ventured into the ‘Dune’ universe on October 24, 2023, unveiling its inaugural set with a release planned for the following February. This initial offering was the LEGO Icons Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter, aimed at an adult audience. It featured a full 31-inch wingspan, deployable landing gear, an opening cockpit, and eight minifigures representing key characters from the film. This bold debut showcased the franchise’s potential in brick form, receiving enthusiastic responses from fans.

The Sandworm would mark a significant expansion of that line, shifting focus from vehicles to the creature designs that truly embody Arrakis. There is no word yet on whether the set will include minifigures, such as a Paul Atreides figure that could be positioned atop the creature, which is one of the most iconic visuals from the films. This detail could be crucial for many collectors.

It is important to note that none of this information is official yet. LEGO has not confirmed the Sandworm set or the accompanying leak of a 2,017-piece Lord of the Rings Oliphaunt diorama, which was also revealed by Brick Tap’s sources. While this source has built a reputation for reliability within the LEGO community, nothing is certain until LEGO makes an official announcement.

Given that ‘Dune: Part Three’ is still in active development, the timing appears to align well for LEGO, with the set arriving just as the trilogy reaches its dramatic conclusion and audience interest peaks.

Regardless of whether every detail in the leak turns out to be accurate, the demand for a Sandworm set has been evident since the Ornithopter’s launch, and there is little doubt this news will keep that excitement alive in the coming months.

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