Lego Systems, Inc. press release...

Enfield, Conn. - June 18, 1999--In their first five weeks on store shelves, retail sales of LEGO(R) Star Wars: Episode I construction toys have set a new record for LEGO theme sales in a one-month period. Since their debut on May 3, the eight LEGO sets based on the movie Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, have eclipsed the next best-selling theme launch in a one-month time period in LEGO Systems' history, even when compared to the traditionally heavy sales month of December.

The Episode I launch follows the March introduction of LEGO Star Wars classic sets, which are based on the original trilogy of Star Wars movies. Combined, unit sales of the new LEGO Star Wars classic and Episode I products have topped one million in a three-month period.

According to Toy Retail Sales Tracking Service (TRSTS) data issued by National Panel Data (NPD), LEGO Star Wars classic items comprised three of the top ten Star Wars licensed toys in retail sales volume in the industry year-to-date through April. This year marks the first year that the LEGO Group has manufactured Star Wars toys, and the license with Lucasfilm, Ltd. is the first in the toy company's history.

The new LEGO Star Wars: Episode I sets, priced from $5.99 to $89.99, reflect actual scenes, vehicles and characters from the movie, which opened in theaters May 19. The best-selling LEGO set within the Episode I assortment is the Naboo fighter, priced at $19.99, the spaceship that Anakin Skywalker heroically pilots in an action-packed scene of the film.

"Sales of our new LEGO Star Wars products are surpassing our expectations. The movie is proving to be a powerful, imagination-sparking work of art, and consumers want to re-create the scenes in the film following the theater experience," said Peter Eio, president, LEGO Systems, Inc. "We are delighted that both Star Wars fans and LEGO Maniacs have responded so enthusiastically to the toys."

The company's Star Wars license also extends to the LEGO(R) MINDSTORMS(TM) brand of robotics products. The Droid Developer Kit, due out this holiday season, will enable kids ages nine and up to build a galaxy of Star Wars droids that actually move, chirp and respond to their environment. With more than 600 pieces, this product features a small LEGO microcomputer, as well as a built-in light sensor, motor and seven behaviors from which to choose.