LEGO has announced its fully converting Optimus Prime, a new toy based on the fan-favorite leader of the Autobots from Hasbro’s popular Transformers franchise. Comprising over 1,500 LEGO pieces, one of the main selling points of this version of the original 1984 Optimus Prime is its 19 points of articulation, something that allows for the toy to be shifted between the character’s robot and vehicle modes, which stand 35 cm and 15 cm tall, respectively. The LEGO Group and Hasbro’s fully converting Transformers Optimus Prime will be available globally from LEGO.com/optimus and in LEGO stores beginning on June 1 for $169.99.
“It has been an honour and joy to work together with Hasbro to develop a LEGO version of Optimus Prime!” said Joseph Patrick Kyde, Senior Designer at the LEGO Group. “I am excited to see these two toy companies come together for the first time to celebrate the leader of the Autobots. Optimus Prime has become a pop culture symbol of courage, selflessness, and great leadership as well as an awesome toy that embodies the problem-solving and creativity skills that both companies value so much. It’s been a wonderful and challenging task to bring him to life using LEGO bricks, especially making sure that he can shift modes without disassembly and stay true to his signature look and style.”
“We’re excited to bring two of the world’s greatest play and entertainment companies together to celebrate this larger-than-life, iconic character – Optimus Prime,” added Casey Collins, Head of Licensed Consumer Products and Business Development at Hasbro. “We know fans everywhere will be thrilled by this collaboration as it enables fans and families of all ages to create memories as they work together to build the LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime.”
Leading global toy companies, the LEGO Group and Hasbro, Inc. unite for the first time to bring the iconic Transformers Autobot, Optimus Prime, to life in LEGO form – complete with alt mode. The new LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime set is a tribute to the heroic Autobot leader with over 1,500 detailed LEGO pieces. Once assembled, the figure features 19 points of articulation that allow fans to convert from robot to truck alt mode and back again. This is one of the first times a LEGO set has been able to convert between two models, without the need to rebuild.
The new LEGO set will transport fans back to 1984 to when Transformers first exploded into popular culture with the original toy line and animated TV series. Modeled after the G1 Optimus Prime character, the new LEGO set includes remarkable attention to detail and features such as the ion blaster, Energon axe, an Energon Cube and the Autobot Matrix of Leadership which can be stored in the chest chamber.
Source: LEGO