What should we expect from DC Universe & Marvel licenses?

After the excitement, it's time to come to your senses and try to see things more clearly in this strategic business alliance between LEGO, Warner Bros (DC Universe) and Disney (Marvel).

So I give you my thoughts: What can we expect from these licenses for sets, minifigs or derivative products?

It is obvious that the current period is favorable for products derived from these two licenses: Warner Bros. surfs on the success of the saga Batman the dark knight with Christian Bale.

The first two films, Batman Begins et The Dark Knight have been successful. The third part of the saga,  The Dark Knight Rises, still directed by Christopher Nolan is already announced for July 2012 and it should close a coherent cycle.

Zack Snyder is in charge of the next one Superman: The Man of Steel, with Henry Cavill in the title role and two heavyweights in the cast: Kevin Costner and Russel Crowe. Another strong media support for the commercial launch of the Super Heroes range.

There is little doubt that a LEGO Batman video game featuring the events of the Nolan / Bale trilogy will be released. A clue, which might not be one, TT Games, official developer of LEGO video game licenses, is currently recruiting hard.

Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern could also appear in this game, which leads me to believe that Warner will push his franchise. Justice League (Justice League), already available in cartoons, video games (Justice League Heroes) on PSP, XBOX and Nintendo DS, etc ....

Video games make it possible to gain the loyalty of a young audience who will not necessarily have access to films because of parental censorship due to the violence of certain scenes. (The Dark Knight is a good example).

Regarding the Marvel license, it is clear that the Avengers will be at the center of the LEGO strategy.

Here too, I think a video game will be offered in the wake of the film's release. The Avengers scheduled for April 2012 bringing together Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor, Hulk, Nick Fury, Hawkeye .... which will be directed by Joss Whedon and which already promises to be the Blockbuster of next year.

Until then, Captain America: First Avenger will have already experienced commercial exploitation since August 2011. Iron Man 3, it is not expected until 2013, and it should be part of LEGO's strategy to maintain customer interest in the Marvel license.

Green Lantern scheduled for 2011 with Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Thor released this year with Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman and X-Men: First Class with James McAvoy round out this media coverage.

In addition to video games, the question arises about the possible sets that LEGO could offer. Super Heroes are often self-sufficient.

Few iconic vehicles (A motorcycle for Captain America or the new batmobile?), Few places known and identified by the fans (Tony Starck's garage / lab?), It will be difficult to put parts around the minifigs. However, we already know that a set "DC Universe Batcave"is planned and will also be offered as an endowment to the competition I was talking about here.

LEGO could offer the minifigs alone in packs of 3, 5 or more as was the case at the start of the Star Wars range (with sets 3340, 3341, 3342 and 3343 in 2000)?

I don't really believe it, although this possibility should not be ruled out. In my opinion, playsets with good guys and bad guys will be there, probably based on scenes seen in the movies.

On the other hand, I think that we will undoubtedly be entitled to packs of magnets and other key chains, which I do not particularly appreciate: They relegate the minifig to the rank of simple decoration. (Image of a BaronSat MOC)

Some people talk about the possibility of selling these minifigs in bags, as is the case for the series of collectible minifigs.

I don't believe it either. LEGO will want to make the most of these licenses which are excessively expensive in royalties and will sell part around these coveted minifigs, already evidenced exorbitant prices reached on eBay by the two exclusive Comic Con minifigs, Batman and Green Lantern ....