The first boxes of the 6 series of collectable minifigs are starting to be available and buyers who have opened all the bags are posting here and there the inventory of their series of 60 bags.

So Huw from Brickset publishes the contents of his box, in total:

5 x minotaurs, Celtic warriors, bandits (15)
4 x skaters, leprechauns, flamenco girls, space babes, aliens, mechanics (24)
3 x liberty statues, robots, genies, suckers, Romans, sleepy boys, butchers (21)

Vickicara, still on Brickset, got her these quantities in her box:

5 x minotaurs, Celtic warriors, bandits (15)
4 x skaters, leprechauns, flamenco girls, space babes, aliensbutchers (24)
3 x liberty statues, robots, genies, suckers, Romans, sleepy boysmechanics  (21)

 These two examples are obviously not enough to make a certainty or a definitive rule about the distribution of minifigs, but it is a good starting point for estimating the contents of the boxes.

Seen on Youtube, this new advertisement for the two sets of the 2012 range:  9493 X-Wing Starfighter et 9492 Tie Fighter. As usual with LEGO advertisements, the setting is very well done and will make even the most reluctant want to replay the attack on the Death Star with these two ships ...

Let's just hope this video isn't sci-fi when it comes to the playability of these two ships: The X-Wing feels solid to me, but I hope the Tie Fighter can handle being moved around without breaking apart at the slightest. movement .... To see when both are available.

In addition, grogall posted on Eurobricks a visual gathering some of the minifigs of the 2012 range. History to confirm that these minifigs are really very successful and that 2012 will be a terrible year for our finances ... 

The official announcement by LEGO of the license Lord of the Rings et The Hobbit Kicks off speculation and other rumors about what future minifigs and sets could be that will make us spend even more money in 2012.

Fans of Tolkien and LEGO are eager to see what the manufacturer will offer concrete, based on a universe immensely rich in characters, places, events, etc ... The possibilities are numerous and the forums are already brimming with hypotheses. all kinds. Assumptions which are, as usual, a little too optimistic ...

In my humble opinion, one should not expect a miracle with this new license. We will be entitled to pretty minfigs, no doubt about it. LEGO has a know-how in this area that must be recognized. The visual of Frodo published today is also impressive, even if it is only a 3D rendering.

Concerning the sets, I am more reserved. When we see the Pirates of the Caribbean range, the set 6860 The Batcave (2012) from the LEGO Super Heroes range, or the set 7879 Hoth Echo Base (2011) from the Star Wars range, we quickly understand that LEGO offers playsets which quickly show their limits: reconstitution of places very (too) symbolic to be faithful, somewhat limited playability, rough finish ...

Commercial constraints have gone through this and LEGO must find a certain balance. LOTR & The Hobbit license sets will not escape this rule and you should not expect a Hobbiton verdant with leafy foliage and ultra-detailed playhouses or a 3000-piece UCS from the Battle of Helm's Deep... The MOCs on the LOTR universe that we've seen so far are certainly exciting, but LEGO won't be producing this type of set.

As far as I'm concerned, minifigs are a priority. I can't wait to be able to get a Frodo, a Gandalf, a Gimli or even a Legolas ... A few wagons, horses, trees, rocks, boats will do to accompany these minifigs. One or two Battle Packs with orcs will also be welcome.

I know the fans of Castle or kingdoms will have no trouble integrating these minifigs into their medieval universe. Adding a touch of fantasy, they'll be able to recreate many scenes from the LOTR trilogy movies.

In fact, now that the license is official, many questions remain: How will LEGO reproduce the ring, the precious? How will Gollum take shape? Will we be entitled to a minifigure or an assembly of parts? ...

If LEGO succeeds in offering a range of quality sets, this license could quickly become a big commercial success. However, it will probably be limited in time, since it is directly linked to the LOTR films already released and those which will be released in 2012 and 2013.

LEGO will also undoubtedly take the opportunity to do away with the Kingdoms range, completed in style with the marketing of the set. 10223 Kingdoms Joust at the end of the year.

Finally, I put you the text of the press release which could imply that the minifigs would also be marketed separately (in sachets?):

... Information about the sets and collectible mini figures from both collections will be unveiled at a later date at TheLordoftheRings.LEGO.com.

I appreciated the content of today's box: a Clone Pilot is always useful. 

This minifigure is in all respects similar to the one we have known for a few years with one exception: its head is black.
The one we have already obtained in the past (sw191) in sets 7674 V-19 Torrent (2008) 8019 Republic Attack Shuttle (2009) 8039 Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser (2009) et 10195 Republic Dropship with AT-OT Walker (2009) had a head in Light Flesh.

Some will say that they are tired of these Clone minifigs which all look alike (and for good reason ... they are clones), others on the contrary will be happy to be able to add this one to their collection. Personally, I am always satisfied with a pretty minifig well screen printed, I never tire of it. 

In the end, I would have had two good news today: An interesting minifig in the Star Wars Advent Calendar, and the official announcement of the LEGO range LOTR & The Hobbit for 2012.

So I do not regret having taken the risk of launching Lord of the Brick from November, hoping that this license would see the light of day ,,,

It is done.
And that's good news.
LEGO has officially announced the license Lord of the Rings et The Hobbit for 2012.
This multi-year agreement with Warner Bros. gives LEGO access to all the characters, locations or scenes in Peter Jackson's films on the universe of Lord of the Rings, but also the two films scheduled for late 2012 and late 2013, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey et The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

The first sets will be available in June 2012 and based exclusively on the universe of Lord of the Rings. In December 2012, sets on the theme of the film The Hobbit will also see the light of day.

Le official press release LEGO.

Full article to read on Variety.com.

Le new dedicated space on the LEGO site announcing the license for 2012.