Key Takeaways:
– Popular LEGO Ideas platform rejected the Shaun of the Dead set after it surpassed the required online supporters.
– Shaun of the Dead fan Yatkuu (real name Greg Coquelz) submitted the design.
– LEGO emphasized its responsibility to remain suitable for their core audience of children aged 6-11.
– Even with actor Simon Pegg’s praise for the set, inappropriate content from the original film led to its denial.
– Fans were left disappointed but can still admire the faithful tributes to the movie in the denied set.
During the early years of the 2010s, LEGO and horror-comedy fans alike were introduced to a brilliant concept. Greg Coquelz, also known as Yatkuu, a die-hard Shaun of the Dead fanatic, proposed a LEGO set design that was an homage to the cult classic movie. His building block vision centred around The Winchester, the film’s iconic pub safehouse amidst a zesty zombie apocalypse. However, despite gaining popularity and support, the set fell victim to LEGO’s stringent audience-specific standards.
Where LEGO Ideas Met Shaun of the Dead
Under LEGO’s collaborative platform, LEGO Ideas (previously known as LEGO Cuusoo), fans worldwide have the opportunity to transform their creative sparks into palpable plastic reality. The catch? They need to get a whopping 10,000 individuals to back their idea online. Once backed, the idea proceeds into a review phase. It’s through this process that several popular sets, like the upcoming Jaws ensemble, have come to life.
Yatkuu’s Shaun of the Dead set was no exception. Encouraged by British actor Simon Pegg’s (who played Shaun in the film) public admiration of the design, fans rallied to gather enough support for the set to earn its spot in the review phase. However, that’s where the winning streak ended.
Block by block, Yatkuu’s dream came crashing down. The reason? LEGO justified its denial of the set by reinforcing their commitment to producing age-appropriate content for their main demographic – children aged 6-11. Apparently, the bloody and beer-soaked antics of Shaun of the Dead didn’t quite make the cut.
The Fallout of A LEGO Dream
While a significant blow to Yatkuu and the fans, it’s the cryptic messaging from LEGO that truly baffled many. Previously, LEGO had reviewed the set on the basis that it was a comedy with its violence presented humorously, claiming it aligned with LEGO brand standards on violence. LEGO even acknowledged their own products where themes of violence played a noticeable role.
Despite the glimmer of hope, the final verdict shattered any anticipation. The Shaun of the Dead LEGO set, filled with detailed characters and intricate pub interiors, would never see the light of day.
In hindsight, some fans have speculated whether a misguided fear of ‘adult content’ led to the set’s dismissal. It’s no secret that the proposed set had its fair share of mature elements; but within the realms of LEGO, would it have been viewed as unacceptable?
This situation poses the question: Where should the line be drawn between an homage to a classic film and maintaining brand standards? While in this case, that line led to the elimination of the Shaun of the Dead set, it does open a larger discussion on LEGO Ideas’ scope and direction.
Despite all the heartbreak, fans continue to cherish the set that ‘could have been’ for its love and attention to the original film. After all, who wouldn’t want a jukebox-playing minifigure inspired by the hilarious and endearing Shaun? As for whether LEGO made the right decision, we’ll let you form your own opinions. So, would you have bought the Shaun of the Dead LEGO set if given the chance?
