Dark Crystal Sequel

[KF5ZXT]

Power of the Dark Crystal is the sequel to the 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal scheduled for 2009[1]. Veteran animator Genndy Tartakovsky (creator of Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack) will direct and produce the movie through the Orphanage Animation Studios. The film will incorporate CGI backgrounds with animatronic puppets. Fantasy artist Brian Froud, designer of the first film, will return to design the creatures and characters. The original screenplay by David Odell (the original Dark Crystal, The Muppet Show) and Annette Duffy is set many years after the events of the first movie.



Contents
Jen and Kira, having lived for many years as the rulers of their world since the reunification of the crystal, welcome an unexpected visitor to their castle, Thurma the fire girl. From her they learn that the U-mun people, who live in the blazing center of the planet, are threatened by the death of their sun. There is only one thing powerful enough to heal the star - a shard of the crystal.

Remembering what happened last time, the Gelflings refuse and, in desperation, the visitor shatters the crystal, steals a shard and flees deep underground into the tunnels beneath the castle. Immediately the noble UrSkek beings split into the UrRu and the Skeksis, and the Gelflings begin a quest, aided by Aughra, to restore the crystal and escape the violent Garthim soldiers who pursue them once again.

Production
Incorporating a hybrid of live action animatronic characters and CG animation, production is expected to commence in summer of 2006. Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson will produce with Brian Henson, Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill serving as Executive Producers. Odyssey Entertainment will represent the worldwide sales and distribution of the film, beginning at the Cannes Film Festival.

The press release by Jim Henson Studios for this film can be found at [2]. It was published on February 1, 2006.

Cast
An all new cast of voice actors, as well as veterans from the first film, have been brought on to voice the recurring characters. Several key Henson performers (including some of the original 1982 performers) will be handling the puppets.



Related projects
Other projects include an animated television series, a manga series from Tokyopop, and licensed products such as books, "interactive games", apparel and collectible sculptures.

[KF5ZXT]

"Dark Crystal" Sequel In The Works
By Garth Franklin
Sunday May 15th 2005 2:37am
The Jim Henson Company will produce a feature film sequel to The Dark Crystal, the 1982 fantasy classic directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz with conceptual designer Brian Froud, which has remained a fan favorite with consistently strong worldwide home video and DVD sales. The announcement was made by the Company's co-CEOs Brian Henson and Lisa Henson. Odyssey Entertainment will represent the worldwide sales and distribution of the film, beginning immediately at the Cannes Film Festival.

The original screenplay by Annette Duffy and David Odell (the original Dark Crystal, The Muppet Show) is set many years after the events of the first movie. The Power of the Dark Crystal (working title), sees Jen and Kira (the original film's heroes) as King and Queen and guardians of the Crystal who fight to save their kingdom when the Crystal is once again split. Incorporating a hybrid of live action animatronic characters and CG animation, production is expected to commence in fall of 2005. Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson will produce with Brian Henson, Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill serving as Executive Producers.

"The Dark Crystal created its own world. We are now going to fully explore this universe through the sequel film, which will be followed up with an animated series as well as interactive games and other media," said Lisa Henson. "Knowing the franchise's worldwide appeal, we're thrilled to leverage Odyssey's expertise in family entertainment within the independent film-sales community."

Brian Henson said, "With The Jim Henson Company celebrating its 50th anniversary, The Power of the Dark Crystal is a wonderful tribute to our legacy of fantasy projects. The original film set a new standard for the genre and broke new ground in visual effects. We hope to honor its devoted fans with an exciting new chapter in this great adventure."

Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill said, "It's a real treat to be able to offer our distribution partners the opportunity to join forces with The Jim Henson Company as they re-imagine one of the best-loved jewels in their crown."

A Brief Synopsis of the Film... When Jen and Kira welcome a fiery and unexpected visitor to their castle they learn that the very existence of the U-mun people, who live in the searing heat of the centre of the earth, is threatened by the death of their sun. There is apparently only one thing powerful enough to heal the ailing star - a shard of the Crystal.

The Gelflings flatly refuse the request for a fragment and the desperate visitor takes matters into her own hands and steals one, making a hasty escape through tunnels deep in the bowels of the castle. So begins an adventure that will see love and goodness triumph over evil and re-introduce cinema-goers to a host of indelible characters including the mystic Ur-sol, Aughra the one-eyed seer, the evil Skeksis and their crab-like and violent Garthim foot soldiers.

[Tripany]

[KF5ZXT]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmnnnmnmnmmnnnn.....

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Sweet a definite must see in my book...

[XanaDorn]

I am glad that the original designer is back for this. I am very fond of the original and hate to admit that I am a bit scared of the new sequel. Go old school techniques !

[XanaDorn]

[wilander]

I never saw this as a kid, but it sure looks sweet.



I'll have to check it out sometime soon.