Dark Crystal Sequel Goes to DVD
Sequel to 1982 Jim Henson Movie Won't Appear in Theatres
The Jim Henson Company's The Power of the Dark Crystal is now a straight-to-DVD release. It hits DVD shelves this winter.
According to an article on Wizard's website, The Jim Henson Company's long-awaited The Power of the Dark Crystal will now be a direct-to-DVD release.
It's a sequel to Jim Henson's 1982 flick, The Dark Crystal, which was only a moderate hit in theatres but became a cult classic when released on home video. The original flick was long on imagination, but the technology of the day wasn't sufficient to give the film the lift it needed.
“It’s a good fantasy film in its own right, but it’s still unique today in what it was as far as puppet achievement,” said producer Lisa Henson, daughter of Jim Henson and co-CEO of the Henson Company. “The technology is clearly very old-fashioned when you watch it. But it’s a pleasure to watch because it all works in its own vernacular very well.”
However, the advent of CGI has made the idea of a Dark Crystal sequel possible.
“The first few times (the idea) came up we thought it would be impossible because the first movie was such a huge production in its day. How could we even do something like that because it was such a huge undertaking the first time around?” admits Henson. “But then we started talking about a very interesting hybrid of puppets and CGI, and we realized it was doable and we got very excited about it.”
Despite rumours that The Jim Henson Company was shelving the flick, The Power of the Dark Crystal will be released. However, it won't be in theatres.
The Power of the Dark Crystal's Plot
The Power of the Dark Crystal takes place many years after the events of the first film. Jen and Kira (the Gelfling heroes of The Dark Crystal) are now the benevolent rulers of Thraa and keepers of the reunited Crystal. They are visited by Thurma the fire girl, a representative of the U-mun, who live in the blazing center of the planet. The U-mun are threatened by the death of their star and only a shard of the Crystal can save them.
Jen and Kira, remembering what happened the last time the Crystal was split, refuse her request. However, Thurma breaks off a shard and flees underground. Breaking the Crystal causes the angelic UrSkeks to once again split into the mystic UrRu and the evil Skeksis. Jen and Kira must once again journey to recover the shard while avoiding the Skeksis' crablike Garthim soldiers.
Return of the Dark Crystal Cast
Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) is directing the flick. Original scriptwriter David Odell and designer Brian Froud (who also designed Labyrinth) are returning to work on the film.
“Brian Froud still has a very strong following for his art and his continuing advancement of fantasy with the Faeries books,” says Henson. “And I really love the action/adventure work Genndy has been doing—it’s just great. As well as his incredible graphic eye.”
Many members of the original cast are returning as well, such as Stephen Garlick (who voiced Jen), Lisa Maxwell (Kira), and Jerry Nelson (High Priest).
The Power of the Dark Crystal is tentatively scheduled for DVD stores in the winter of 2008.
