LEGO Rejects “Shaun of the Dead” Winchester Playset

Sad news this week, as LEGO has announced they have rejected the first LEGO CUUSOO project to get the required 10,000 supports to be officially reviewed for production. The Shaun of the Dead playset featuring the Winchester Pub, which we told you about in March, was deemed not “content appropriate”. Read the full statement from LEGO after the break.

Results of the LEGO Review for the Winchester – Shaun of the Dead

2012.04.26

The LEGO Jury has completed the review of the Winchester – Shaun of the Dead project that hit 10,000 supporters on LEGO CUUSOO on March 31, 2012.

LEGO CUUSOO gives the opportunity to submit product ideas, however all LEGO products, regardless of age target, must be content appropriate for our core audience. With this in mind we have decided that – good though the model is – the film Shaun of the Dead contains content that is not appropriate for our core target audience of children ages 6-11.

Long before the Winchester received mainstream media attention, Greg (Yatkuu) contacted us in earnest to see if his project was acceptable. We recognized the potential conflict, but didn’t see a reason to remove the project. The model was presented tastefully and we thought it deserved fair consideration. With 10,000 supporters, the Winchester earned the opportunity to receive the full LEGO Review.

Greg has been a pleasure to work with throughout this process. We’re impressed by his model, grateful for his constructive approach with us, and we are sad to disappoint such a devoted LEGO fan.

Opening ourselves to new product suggestions invites popular ideas that don’t always fit our brand. This is the first time we’ve felt that we should turn a LEGO CUUSOO idea down, but we’re grateful for the spirit behind projects like the Winchester and for the opportunity to be challenged. It keeps us sharp and looking toward the future of the LEGO brick.

We appreciate the passion exhibited for new product ideas on LEGO CUUSOO.

While it is understandable why the zombie-themed playset was rejected, the Internet fervor over the potential project would assuredly brought decent sales. Fortunately, two more projects have gotten the required 10,000 supporters for review by LEGO, including a model of the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Fingers crossed.