Lego has unveiled the UCS (Ultimate Collector Series)Â Death Star, a $1,000 model and the most expensive Lego set of all time. With a whopping 9,023 pieces, it measures 27.5 inches (70 cm) tall, 31 inches (79 cm) wide and 10.5 inches (27 cm) deep.
Yes, it's big. Yes, it's round. No, it's not a sphere.
But this model of the Death Star does capture the spirit of the iconic Star Wars space station. The set is divided into smaller dioramas of scenes from both the original Death Star and the Death Star II. There's the trash compactor room, the hangar bay and Emperor Palpatine's throne room. Exterior details are somewhat lacking, but the set does include a brick-built Superlaser.Â
The new Lego Death Star comes with 38 minifigures, including three versions of Luke Skywalker, two versions of Han Solo and six Stormtroopers. Princess Leia, Chewbacca and Darth Vader are included, too, as are less common characters like Galen Erso and an Imperial Dignitary. Â Â
While some fans are puzzled by this model's relative flatness, it does have plenty of space for displaying all those minifigures. The hangar bay is wide enough to hold both the included Imperial Shuttle and a separate TIE Fighter model that will come as a gift with purchase.
The Death Star isn't the biggest Lego set ever by piece count. The Lego Art World Map and Eiffel Tower sets both have over 10,000 pieces (and retail for under $700), and the Titanic and Colosseum sets both have a handful more pieces than the Death Star.
But make no mistake: This is one massive Lego set. Pictures don't do it justice, though the image of a man displaying it on a table provides a good sense of its scale.Â
The Lego Death Star releases on Oct. 4 (or Oct. 1 for Lego Insiders). Can't wait until October? Pick up one of these currently discounted Lego sets.Â