According to this article on ToyNews reported by The Brick Fan, we can expect to see more sets in the future for years perhaps generations even to come.

 

LEGO believes the success of LEGO Star Wars as a property in its own right means the brand will

yea...I'm not sure if they can live without licensed portfolios.. SW saved them.  I do think they are overdoing it with the Chima, Ninjago, city, friends..now elves..

but I guess for resellers who knows more than the typical person who arbitrage..it provides a better chance to pick winners with more variety.

Bionicle saved them.

That`s really true about Lego SW being a brand in and of itself now, and all the 5-6 upcoming movies are only going to increase sales for this "brand", retiring it any time soon would be leaving piles of profits on the table. 

I don't think there was any one theme that saved them, it was getting rid of a lot of really bad ideas that bailed them out short and long term.  The money they pissed away venturing away from the actual brick was staggering. 

 

City is a huge seller in the German market, probably comparable to Star Wars in the US. 

I recently found some old catalogs from 2007-2009 in a mixed lot I bought.  The creativity of those sets is astounding and what started them on this huge run.

I don't think there was any one theme that saved them, it was getting rid of a lot of really bad ideas that bailed them out short and long term.  The money they pissed away venturing away from the actual brick was staggering. 

 

City is a huge seller in the German market, probably comparable to Star Wars in the US.

The popularity of LEGO SW kept them relevant through those time. Removing all other ventures (theme parks, video games, etc) and getting back to their core competency (bricks) saved the company from going bankrupt.

Also somewhere I read a few weeks ago that Disney considers LEGO as a true partner sharing a common philosophy, their businesses truly match together and want to maintain and expand their relationship on every level. It seems just a usual business talk at first look, but LEGO really compels to the Disney image. Disney likes the image of LEGO.

 

Therefore I believe Disney is more forgiving with their licenses towards LEGO than Lucasfilm was, that's why we can see the Constraction stuff and SW IDEAS projects not bumping into license issues. I wouldn't rule out SW CMF and other stuff coming in the future when the prospective exclusive licenses expire. I could bet that Disney wants LEGO to take them.

Edited February 14, 201510 yr by inversion

what was the license ceiling cap for Star Wars? from lucas film for the lego group? 2020? Hopefully Disney are more flexible and re up the Lego group franchise license.

Star Wars Mega Blocks????  - I shudder at the thought