Attention, all Lego fans! The Danish company has just unveiled its most ambitious and expensive set ever created: a $1,000 Death Star that fundamentally reimagines how we think about the iconic Star Wars battle station. After nine years without a new Death Star set, the company has returned with a design that abandons the traditional spherical approach for something far more controversial yet potentially practical.
This Ultimate Collector Series Death Star represents a dramatic departure from its predecessors. Rather than constructing the familiar globe-shaped diorama that fans have come to expect, Lego has opted for a vertical cross-section design. The result is a 30-inch-wide, 10-inch-deep disc that displays all the Death Star’s most memorable scenes simultaneously. From Princess Leia’s detention block to the Emperor’s throne room, every iconic location is visible at once, creating what essentially amounts to a massive Star Wars shadowbox.
The numbers behind this set are staggering. With 9,023 pieces, it doubles the part count of the 2016 Death Star while commanding twice the price. The set includes 38 minifigures, more than any Lego set in history, featuring multiple versions of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo to represent different scenes from the original trilogy. Hidden among the characters is a delightful easter egg: a Stormtrooper in a hot tub, referencing a humorous moment from the Lego Star Wars video games.
The design philosophy reflects Lego’s evolution toward adult collectors. The company has experienced record profits by catering to nostalgic adults with deeper pockets, and this Death Star epitomizes that strategy. The vertical slice format, while potentially disappointing to purists expecting a full sphere, offers significant practical advantages for display. Unlike previous Death Stars that required careful positioning to view interior scenes, this design showcases every room from a single vantage point.
The set recreates virtually every memorable Death Star moment across both films. The hangar bay accommodates an included Imperial shuttle, while Princess Leia can simultaneously occupy her cell and the communications room where she reveals the Dantooine base location.
Luke and Vader can duel in the throne room while Obi-Wan tackles the tractor beam controls below. A functional turbolift system connects all six levels, adding an interactive element to the display.
However, the pricing strategy includes a controversial element. Early buyers receive a bonus TIE Fighter set, but only those purchasing within the first week. This practice of withholding components that seemingly complete the full Death Star experience has frustrated collectors who view it as an unnecessary paywall for the ultimate version.
Despite potential criticism about the unconventional format and premium pricing, this Death Star represents Lego’s willingness to push boundaries. The company has successfully transformed from a children’s toy manufacturer into a luxury collectibles brand, and this Death Star stands as perhaps the boldest statement of that evolution.
[Lego]
