Henson reanimates Dark Crystal
sequel to 1982 film called The Power of the Dark Crystal
Oct 11, 2006
(Source: www.mtv.com)
Jim Henson's 1982 muppet movie The Dark Crystal is a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. Fans loved the concept and the characters while critics reviled the lame effects, the lack of human characters, and the deus-ex-machina ending. However, everyone agreed that when it came to this film, Henson's reach far exceeded his technological grasp.
Even though The Dark Crystal tanked critically and commercially, Henson fans gave it a new life on home video and DVD, so much so that The Jim Henson Company has decided to create a sequel for 2008, called The Power of the Dark Crystal. Genndy Tartakovsky, best known for his work on Samurai Jack and Star Wars: Clone Wars, was a fan favourite to direct the new film.
The sequel essentially revisits the events of the previous movie. Jen and Kira (the 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. This 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.
Instead of four or five puppeteers working each character from below, Tartakovsky will use blue-screen technology to eliminate the awkward movements and visible lines that plagued the first film. He will also use CG effects to smooth out the film's sets and action.
Many original voice performers return, including Stephen Garlick (Jen), Lisa Maxwell (Kira), and Jerry Nelson (High Priest). David Odell returns as one of the scriptwriters as well as designer Brian Froud (who worked on Labyrinth, another Henson cult classic). Tartakovsky believes this will help fans embrace the new film.
"It's the daughter (Lisa Henson) of the guy who did (The Dark Crystal), and the guy who designed it (Brian Froud)," says Tartakovsky. "If I was going with a new designer and a different puppeteer company, I would be a lot more nervous. We are coming from a sincere point of view."
