First Pieces of Artwork Emerge for Next Year's Projects!

By: Andrew Bermudez

(LEGO Studios; July 26, 2013)

     It seems like next year, along with "Ten Years of Going Crazy!," are coming so fast, and we're sure you're all excited! Well, to add to the excitement, we've got some concept art that we'd like to share, and it's going to be great! As a note, this is only concept art, so expect changes to the final product.

Train car designs for Johnny Thunder and the Wisdom of the Ancients.

     We're all sure that you're excited about next year's blockbuster, Johnny Thunder and the Wisdom of the Ancients. Well, to show a little of what to expect in the finished film, here are some older train car designs dating back from early 2012. These cars are part of Lord Sinister's train that is featured as the central focal point of the train escape sequence, which wrapped up filming recently. With the exception of the wood siding design and roof of Lord Sinister's command car, these designs actually are almost untouched in the final film.

Main character designs for LEGO Island: The Animated Series.

      With such an ambitious project as LEGO Island: The Animated Series, it is easy to see why concept design has already started, even though the series doesn't debut for at least another year. At the moment, concept art is focusing on the characters, but as time goes on, familiar locations will receive their artistic interpretations. In the above work, the main characters are showcased. In the work below, secondary characters are featured.

Secondary character designs in a racetrack setting for LEGO Island: The Animated Series.

     For many of the character designs, like Technician Bob, the original video games are being used as a reference. However, some of them, such as Bill Ding, are referenced from other LEGO themes and minifigure designs (like LEGO City, in this case). This was done for a few reasons; primarily to avoid confusion for those unfamiliar with the games and sets. Take the example of Snap Lockitt's re-design in the main characters image: in the games, he works with Valerie Stubbins at the Res-Q HQ. Why, then, did he dress like a hipster surfer? To correct this issue, yet keep his characteristic shirt pattern, he was given a Res-Q uniform and swim trunks featuring the flower pattern of his old torso. Yes, Valerie did not wear the uniform in the game either, but consistency was needed. In the show, she wears the same uniform design as Snap.

     Gags are also an important part of Mustache Maniacs Film Co.'s work, and the scenes shown in this artwork is no exception. In the scene in Johnny Thunder and the Wisdom of the Ancients where the train cars appear, a new character introduced in the film dresses up as a ninja, convinced no one can see him. He stumbles over his feet, and eventually is put to shame. In the concept art above featuring the race, Studz Linkin and Rhoda Hogg crash into each other as bickering couple Dorothy and Glen Funberg win the race. Here's another inside gag in the artwork: The sponsor printed on the rear of Rhoda Hogg's car is Solarum, the name that is printed on the flashlight seen in the last shot in New Friends ~ An Environmental Fable.

     That's all that can be said right now. Be sure to check back for more updates leading up to "Ten Years of Going Crazy!" and be sure to vote in The Second Mustache Maniacs Film Co. Fan Choice Awards today!