Mega Blocks already have this covered. I'm curious to know what major differences there'd be to justify the inevitably high cost of the Lego branded versions
I'm currently working on the Charmander with my daughter. The quality feels fine, but I'll definitely be curious to try out a lego one when it releases
It only took 25 years. I'm not even a pokemon fan but I'm curious what their sets would look like. I have been tempted by a couple of the Mega Bloks sets though, and I even got one of the mystery pokeball sets and ended up getting Bulbasaur.
To play with these brands in the LEGO ecosystem is fantastic for me and the kid. We really enjoy the cross overs you can make, and LEGO makes sure everything fits.
But if LEGO didnt make "OG content", I would agree. But they do.
Ninjago is still going strong after like what? 10 years? And it's a pretty good theme with all kinds of badass builds and part usage. City has never not been a thing since it's creation, and we're still regularly getting modulars every year since like 2005. Lego is still churning out tons of their original stuff: the new Neo Space, Dreamzzz, Friends, the aforementioned Ninjago.
Sure they're making more and more licensed stuff, but I'd honestly "blame" Dimensions and people as a whole. Who else would want to see Lego Ghostbusters or Pokemon or Sonic interact with each other? Fans of those franchises, that's who. Lego is just giving people what they want.
It was the Star Wars IP that saved LEGO in the late 90s and early 00s. They do still have their own lines, and they have brought back some of the old faves for a time.
Because not everyone is going to or wants to drop serious cash for a big set. Some people don't have the space or whatever the reasoning may be.
Also, imo The Expanse is a bit too adult for Lego to adapt. But they did make an ornithopter from Dune (the new one, complete with a floating Baron Harkonnen minifig), so who knows.