LEGO Star Wars adds another ship to its fleet: The Tantive IV

Announced at Star Wars Celebration, there’s a new ship joining the LEGO Star Wars collection: the legendary Tantive IV. Here’s everything you need to know.

It only appears briefly in two movies, but the Tantive IV looms large in Star Wars imagery. It’s the ship where Leia records her message to Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope, and the Death Star plans are delivered to her there in Rogue One, with quite the journey on-board the ship to get them to her, thanks to Darth Vader being in pursuit. However, though LEGO has gotten bigger and bolder with its sets, the Tantive IV hasn’t gotten a brick form yet.

That’s all about to change. Announced today at Star Wars Celebration Chicago, May 3 will see the release of a full Tantive IV LEGO set. It’s massive, with 1,758 pieces needed to build the ship in its entirety.

Check it out below:

Tantive IV LEGO set. Image: LEGO

According to accompanying details provided in a press release, the top of the ship actually can be removed to put minifigures inside, with the cockpit also holding minifigures. The Bail Organa, Princess Leia, and R2-D2 minifigures shown are included with the set:

Tantive IV LEGO set. Image: LEGO

For those concerned that the Leia figure’s expression isn’t what they’d picture, she actually has two available. The other is more of a smirk.

Here’s the cockpit, with both Rebel Alliance soldiers also included as part of the set. The final minifigure is C-3PO.

Tantive IV LEGO set. Image: LEGO

The greatest addition of all, however, might be a way to safely carry the Tantive IV. As anyone who’s tried to transport a fully built LEGO set knows, there are lots of delicate bits and bobs that can easily need to be reattached after moving is complete. Sometimes there’s not even an easy place to take hold of it!

The Tantive IV has no such concerns. Behold:

Tantive IV LEGO set. Image: LEGO

Nor does it look clumsily added on; it’s actually the radar dish of the ship, meaning it can still be displayed without looking silly.

As previously mentioned, the set launches on May 3 (just in time for Star Wars Day), with a price of $199.99 per the press release.