Sarah’s Top-5 LEGO® sets inspired by her career in Hollywood

With an unrivaled career working as a prosthetics makeup artist in Hollywood, Sarah Downes shares the 5 LEGO® sets that hold special meaning for her.

Ravager Jumpsuit Groot (76341)

“This was a really important moment in my career when I took that leap from not only being a makeup artist to being a prosthetics makeup artist, and it was on Guardians of the Galaxy that that happened.”

Who doesn’t love Baby Groot, one of the standout characters from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies! This fully posable creation allows you to add lots of movement and even change its expression. All together now: “I am Groot”.

The Lord of the Rings: Balrog™ Book Nook (10367)

“I’ve picked this set because I have always loved the Balrog™, and in this set, it looks so cool.”

Balrogs are fierce, terrifying creatures cloaked in shadow and flame. Thankfully, the one featured in this book nook is small enough to fit on your shelf. This exciting LEGO Icons set depicts Gandalf’s epic showdown with the Balrog, Durin’s Bane, on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. 

Super Sonic vs. Egg Drillster (76999)

“Now, the reason why I picked this one was because I was again lucky enough to work on the third Sonic the Hedgehog™ movie, where I had to look after the iconic moustache of Doctor Robotnik.”

Imagine being in charge of such a famous moustache! We love the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and adore this LEGO set. Did you know that Doctor Robotnik’s first name is Ivo and his nickname is ‘Eggman’?

Hogwarts™ Castle (71043)

“This one is very dear to me. The set itself is amazing. It’s so intricate and detailed. But the real reason why I love it is because it reminds me of my first ever job in the film industry – I was lucky enough to be the trainee on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ in the makeup department.”

Join our favorite spectacled hero in the ‘School of Witchcraft and Wizardry’, where every staircase has a mind of its own! This stunning LEGO creation comes with 27 microfigures (like Harry) as well as 4 minifigures, so your favorite characters will find adventure around every corner. 

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RIVENDELL™ (10316)

“Rivendell™ is phenomenal, all the characters, the details. It fills me with nostalgia; it fills me with creativity. It’s something that one day I hope that I can play with together with my daughter because she absolutely loves The Lord of the Rings as much as I do. So, for me, without a shadow of a doubt, it has to be Rivendell.”

The settlement of Rivendell is a hidden Elven refuge on a steep gorge by the Bruinen River. With 15 minifigures and over 6,000 pieces, this breath-taking recreation is one of the biggest LEGO sets ever made. Full of little hidden details and references to the movie, it’s one of our favorite LEGO sets too, Sarah!