That's no moon … that's a whole bunch of LEGOs. A brand new model of the Death Star — the moon-size "Star Wars" planet-destroying machine — made entirely of toy bricks arrived at LEGOLAND California this week.
The giant model was crafted from more than 500,000 LEGO bricks, weighs more than 1,900 lbs and, appropriately, it is the largest model to display in the LEGO "Star Wars" Miniland section of the resort, LEGOLAND representatives said. Movers had to use a forklift to move the model into place at the resort. Kids and adults alike can see the model when it goes on view March 5. A drone video of the LEGO Death Star's installation shows the vast size of the massive space station model.
"The LEGO Death Star is designed from the version featured in 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope,'" LEGOLAND representatives wrote in a news release. "The new model display also features the famous trench run scene where Luke Skywalker maneuvered his X-wing fighter through the combat zone to destroy the Death Star. Below the LEGO Death Star, guests are invited to use their imaginations to construct their own LEGO starships at building stations, while LEGO X-Wings, Tie Fighters and Y-Wings circle overhead."
The new model's appearance in the Miniland is well timed. A new "Star Wars" film — called "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" — is set to hit theaters in December 2015.
LEGO "Star Wars" Miniland has a lot to offer fans of the science fiction franchise. LEGO master builders used more than 1 million blocks to craft scenes from all of the six movies and the "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" animated series.
The "Episode IV" area features Luke Skywalker, C3-PO, R2-D2 and Obi-Wan Kenobi on Tatooine, according to the LEGOLAND website.
"Here you'll discover Uncle Owen's moisture farm, where Luke Skywalker lived as a child; peek inside the Cantina where the animated Cantina Band plays and stand above the spaceport where the largest LEGO model of Han Solo's famous starship, the Millennium Falcon, sits ready for take-off," LEGOLAND representatives wrote on the website.
Follow Miriam Kramer @mirikramer. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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