Home News > We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Most Impressive Skeleton Model in 68 Million Years

We Build LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Most Impressive Skeleton Model in 68 Million Years

by Henry Mar 22,2025

The LEGO Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus Rex set, a LEGO Store exclusive, is a breathtakingly ambitious build. Its sheer size is immediately striking; this is a meticulously crafted 1:12 scale model of a real T-Rex. Upon closer inspection, the detail is astounding: notice how the ribs are constructed with varying lengths to create a realistic rib cage, and how the dark bricks cleverly create shadows, highlighting the light-colored "bone" bricks. Despite its intricate appearance, the build is surprisingly manageable, making its impressive complexity all the more rewarding.

LEGO Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex

19$249.99 at LEGO Store

My childhood fascination with dinosaurs, especially the towering T-Rex skeleton at the American Museum of Natural History, was reignited by this set. Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" perfectly captured that awe-inspiring scale: *"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."* This description reflects the long-held, but ultimately inaccurate, depiction of the T-Rex standing upright.

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Source: American Museum of Natural History

However, scientific understanding has evolved. The T-Rex, contrary to earlier depictions, didn't walk upright with a dragging tail. Its spine was parallel to the ground, with its tail acting as a counterbalance, as seen in the "Sue" exhibit at the Field Museum.

Source: Field Museum

"Sue," the most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found (90%), revealed crucial details, including the *gastralia*, belly bones that supported its breathing. This discovery significantly altered our understanding of the T-Rex's weight and overall physique.

Source: Universal Pictures

The 1993 *Jurassic Park* T-Rex, while more accurate than earlier depictions, still portrayed a leaner body. The gastralia discovery revealed a much heavier creature – nine to ten tons – with a substantial belly. This updated image reflects this more accurate representation:

Source: Blue Rhino Studio

The LEGO T-Rex model accurately reflects this updated scientific understanding, showcasing the horizontal posture. While it doesn't include the gastralia, the ribcage suggests a "barrel-chested" build, contrasting with fictional portrayals. The forward-facing arms align with the current "Sue" display.

The set comprises 25 sealed bags. Construction begins with the stand, followed by the backbone, neck, legs, ribs, arms, tail, and finally, the head. The legs and torso are fixed, but the arms, head, and tail are posable. At nearly three-and-a-half feet long, this model demands a prominent display location – a wide surface is recommended.

This set, part of the LEGO Jurassic Park franchise, includes Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler minifigures and a Jurassic Park-branded placard. However, this tie-in feels somewhat forced, given the minifigures are from the original *Jurassic Park*, not *Jurassic World*, and the set's name itself lacks a movie reference. The option to detach the minifigure and placard display highlights this disconnect.

Ultimately, the Jurassic Park branding is superfluous. The set's impressive size, scope, and price point make it a desirable item regardless of the franchise connection. It stands on its own merit, similar to the LEGO Titanic, needing no movie tie-ins to enhance its appeal.