Home News > LEGO Unveils Stunning T-Rex Fossil Model: A 68-Million-Year-Old Marvel

LEGO Unveils Stunning T-Rex Fossil Model: A 68-Million-Year-Old Marvel

by Joseph May 04,2025

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, available exclusively at the LEGO Store, is a visually stunning and ambitious build that captures the imagination of dinosaur enthusiasts. The sheer size of this model, at a 1:12 scale of a real T-Rex, is the first thing that strikes you. It's a marvel to behold and a testament to LEGO's commitment to creating intricate and accurate models.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

$249.99 at LEGO Store

Upon closer inspection, the detail of this set becomes even more impressive. The construction of the ribs at varying lengths creates a realistic rib "cage," while the use of dark-colored bricks enhances the shadow effect, making the light-colored "bone" bricks stand out vividly. Despite its complexity, the set is surprisingly easy to assemble, which only adds to the appreciation of its intricate design.

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex

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As a lifelong fan of dinosaurs, I recall the awe-inspiring visits to the American Museum of Natural History, where the towering T-Rex skeleton left a lasting impression. This fascination was further fueled by Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder," where he vividly described the T-Rex:

"It came on great oiled, resilient, striding legs. It towered thirty feet above half of the trees, a great evil god, folding its delicate watchmaker's claws close to its oily reptilian chest. Each lower leg was a piston, a thousand pounds of white bone, sunk in thick ropes of muscle, sheathed over in a gleam of pebbled skin like the mail of a terrible warrior."

Historically, the T-Rex was depicted as standing upright with its tail dragging on the ground, as seen in many early illustrations:

Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific understanding has evolved, and we now know that the T-Rex stood with its spine parallel to the ground, using its tail as a counterbalance, as seen in the updated depiction of "Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found:

Source: Field Museum

The discovery of "Sue" in 1990 by paleontologist Sue Hendrickson revolutionized our understanding of the T-Rex's anatomy, particularly the presence of gastralia, small bones that supported the dinosaur's breathing and added to its bulk:

Source: Universal Pictures

The T-Rex depicted in the 1993 film *Jurassic Park* reflects an outdated understanding, showing a leaner body compared to the more accurate, heavier depiction we have today:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

This updated model of the T-Rex, based on Sue's bones, is our most accurate depiction yet, revealing a chubbier and more realistic image of this iconic dinosaur.

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set reflects this modern understanding by maintaining the T-Rex's horizontal positioning, though it does not include the gastralia. The rib positioning suggests a "barrel-chested" creature, and the forward-positioned arms align with the latest scientific findings, as seen in the updated display of Sue at the Field Museum in Chicago.

The set, composed of 25 sealed plastic bags, starts with building the black stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, hips, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, while the arms, head, and tail are adjustable, allowing for a dynamic display:

Measuring nearly three-and-a-half feet from tip to tail, this model is a significant piece that requires ample space. It's best displayed on a wide, flat surface like a dresser or coffee table to truly appreciate its grandeur.

Although technically part of LEGO's Jurassic Park franchise, the set includes two minifigures of Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler from the original film, along with a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, this connection feels somewhat forced, especially since the set's name and the option to disconnect the minifigure display suggest it stands well on its own:

The inclusion of these elements feels unnecessary for a model of this size, scope, and price, which is compelling enough on its own merits. Much like the LEGO Titanic, this set is a masterpiece that doesn't require additional movie tie-ins to be appreciated.

LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, Set #10335, retails for $269.99 and is composed of 3011 pieces. It is available exclusively at the LEGO Store.