LEGO unveils 9,023-piece Death Star UCS set priced at $999

LEGO has unveiled a new, record-setting Star Wars set: the LEGO Star Wars Death Star Ultimate Collector Series 75419, a cross sectional diorama made from 9,023 pieces that the company will begin selling to LEGO Insiders on October 1 and to the general public on October 4. Priced at US$999.99, the set is the most expensive in LEGO history and recreates multiple scenes from the original film trilogy inside a sliced view of the infamous battle station.

LEGO’s official images and product information show a layered, display-focused build that the company says stands roughly 20.6 inches tall, 18.9 inches across and 15.1 inches deep, and includes what it describes as a backing plate and surrounding side panels. The model is built as a partial, open-faced disc rather than a full sphere, allowing viewers to see about a dozen to 15 dedicated rooms and multiple levels at a single angle. LEGO lists 38 minifigures in the box, including Luke Skywalker in several variants, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and a tongue-in-cheek Stormtrooper in swim trunks inspired by an Easter egg in LEGO Star Wars video games. Some outlets reported slightly...