Dark Crystal Sequel: Power of the Dark Crystal
February 1st, 2006 at 10:35 am (Movie News)
A news article in Dark Horizons reports that:
The Jim Henson Co. has set animated series creator Genndy Tartakovsky (”Samurai Jack”, “Star Wars: The Clones Wars”) to direct “Power of the Dark Crystal,” sequel to 1982 fantasy film “The Dark Crystal”
The sequel will place the Brian Froud designed characters in CG background and is set to start production summer of 2006.
GreyDuck said,
February 1, 2006 at 1:48 pm
You know… this actually sounds REALLY cool. Hmm.
Mari said,
February 10, 2006 at 2:45 pm
I am kind of scared… I hope that it is as cool as it sounds…
I am now anxiously waiting to hear that they are going to make Labyrinth II — Maybe they will give David Bowie an athletic cup or codpiece for a sequel *grin*
Patrick Baker said,
February 16, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Oh My God!!! It had better not suck…I’m so excited!!!!
Haylie Prest said,
April 6, 2006 at 5:34 am
Oh My God! This is the single greatest thing to happen to cinema! The first movie scared me as a kid and i’m addicted to it. This had better be amazing!
Mia said,
April 14, 2006 at 8:04 pm
I highly doubt it will be as good at the original, as is the case with most sequels.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t exited, but I’m a touch more weary. All I can really say is that this movie better do the original at least some justice. I’m doubtful that it will even be able to hold a candle to it, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
John said,
April 25, 2006 at 9:38 am
Sequals often aren’t as good as the original, but at least Lucas isn’t involved
Matt said,
April 29, 2006 at 12:21 am
I honestly thought it was over. After Henson died a while back it didn’t hit me he had his kids in on the deal. If Trevor Jones is doing the music again I can guarantee it will be a hit considering Lord of the Rings did so well. Plan on it being marketed in as much fashion. Plan on a third sequel too because their world is just too big!
David said,
June 20, 2006 at 7:45 am
Imagine The Dark Cyrstal without the nostalgia
and CGI?
Without that early eighties blue light, big hair style, scrambled narration that could have only come from that era…Those gags that were nerdy and polite…Without the hilarity & cute aspect of cheap and flimsy puppets and visible strings…Beautiful matte paintings…
This is not the director’s era, neither was 1982, but The Dark Crystal somehow managed to feel like one man’s dream carried through…
That man’s dead now!
But who knows what this guy’s got in mind. I can kind of imagine how The Power of The Dark Crystal could follow Dexter’s Lab, Clone Wars, Samuri Jack…It could be brilliant if it avoids commercial theatrics and such…
For the sake of the original…This is not a sequel…This is something new.
And I’m damn excited /\__/\
Edward Fitzgerald said,
June 25, 2006 at 3:23 am
I think it’d be cool if they kept to the spiritual side of things as they did in the original. Aughra needs a more active role this time around, i figured she was slightly underused in the original but I suppose as with Tolkiens Gandalf whats the point on having immense power if you take it for granted. Aughra was like this demi-god or something created as the physical essence of Thra, lets see if they delve more into her character in the second one…. hope its good, regards, ed
daniel worthington said,
June 29, 2006 at 8:26 pm
This movie will be tight! I have every reason to believe that this next installment will have as much wonder and imgaination as the original. Dark Crystal is one of the most influential movies to me and to many Jim Henson fans all over the world. I expect greatness from this sequel!!!!
Keifster said,
July 9, 2006 at 2:24 pm
This is the perfect opportunity to provide a tribute to Henson.
They should use caution and limit the Computer Graphics Animation.
CG is good for convincing large scenic shots, but perhaps not so much for close-up action of the individual characters, and that may really detract from the puppetry which is the gift of the original film. Even a couple CG shots in The Lord of the Rings gave it that just way too computerized fake feel.
And it won’t take much to beat the flatness of the recent Narnia movie which is a perfect example of boredom by CG.
Michael said,
July 18, 2006 at 7:01 am
I´m a great fan of the original THE DARK CRYSTAL since I was a child. When I was younger, I realy dreamed of a sequel. But right now I´m not sure if I should be happy or not… For so many years they told us that there will be no sequel.
THE DARK CRYSTAL is a unique masterpiece ! But I knew before: If somebody makes a LORD OF THE RINGS movie that becomes succesfull, we will have a new fantasy boom ! Well, we have this boom now and filmmakers can make money with the fantasy genre. No wonder that they want to make a DARK CRYSTAL sequel right now ! I don´t like the story of cracking the crystal again ! And I don´t like the return of Skeksis and Mystics. This chapter in the history of Thra should be closed. Henson and the others should look for new adventures on Planet Thra.
Nevertheless: the fact that Brian Froud makes the conceptual design again, gives me hope.
Dave said,
August 10, 2006 at 2:08 pm
I’ve always loved Dark Crystal, I hope the new one is anywhere near as good as the first. I’d be really annoyed if it was a lot of CG, the puppets were always so cool.
Also, the Jim Henson Company is selling shirts and other stuff from the movie at www.cafepress.com/jimhensonco. They look pretty good, and they’ve also got stuff from their other movies (Labyrinth, Mirrormask). Just thought other people might like to know…
Rebecca said,
October 14, 2006 at 9:42 pm
I am looking forward to seeing it. THE DARK CRYSTAL is one the most amazing films I’ve ever seen. I hope they do Henson’s masterpiece real justice. I am also looking forward to THE DARK KNIGHT and THE LAST UNICORN! ^_^
Jared said,
October 18, 2006 at 6:59 pm
I think the Dark Crystal had to be a part of your childhood to be enjoyed. I show the movie to others and they just don’t get it. Hopefully the sequel will somehow be as familiar and cool as the first. I must admit though, I’m afraid I’m going to be let down.
Kaenan James said,
November 2, 2006 at 1:10 pm
While it might be a repeating factor in the film, it is best that the Skeksis; in one fashion or another, be brought back. They were the highlight of the first film; and in a sequel to this kind of movie, it will only be good as their villians–seeing how the movie’s heros are rather bland, unexpressive creatures that they should have cast human actors in the roles. if they are going with the CGI route, they might as well take the next big step and cast actual actors as Kira and Jen; hencing making their charactors more indentifiable [ and less creepy].
And the Chamberlain, who was a fantastic villian who’s charactor unfortunately was all but abandone in the third act, will hopefully get the screen time he deserved. And hopefully the General/Garthim -Master will be given the same chance.
just my two cents,
KJ1340
Jaime said,
November 8, 2006 at 2:32 pm
I am more then excited about this film, however, I don’t think it will be this huge box office hit. As much as I loved the first film, it didn’t have a wide appeal. The original was almost like an art house puppet film.
I do feel confident that this new director will revive this world and these characters in a way that will surprise even the harshest of skesis, I mean skeptics. I hope they open an official website VERY soon. The film is scheduled for a fall 2007 release and this is about the time a teaser trailer should be expected.
My only nerdly hope is that Kira is able to use her wings again. Those two scenes in which Kira flew [or fluttered] in the original really elevated my senses and they were wonderful to watch. I’ll never forget Kira jumping off the cliff with Fizzgig and Jen in arms, as her wings unfolded to gently fly them to safety……………………magic
J.M. Prater
william said,
November 10, 2006 at 6:53 am
I wouldnt take too much notice of some of the info on IMDB, the original cast have not been asked to supply voices for the characters again,i should know as the voice of Jen–Stephen Garlick- is my brother. He has not been contacted and had no knowledge of the sequel when i spoke to him last. Hopefully it wont be ruined by casting Bruce Willis as Jen and Pamela Anderson as Kira!
Alexander said,
November 19, 2006 at 6:43 pm
I too hope it holds true to the original while using CGI to enhance, not replace, the wonderful animatronic and model content of the original. I would hate for this to be another CGI marathon with poorly written script (Lord of the Rings).
And yes, I am indeed looking forward to the merchandising.
Tony said,
December 4, 2006 at 9:56 am
I think this movie will be great, but what i fear is, for those of us who have been loyal fans will be pushed aside in this movie, i fear that this movie will be over publisized and that people who have never even seen nor heard of the original cult classic will see the sequel and over do their new found fanship, the same thing happened with the nightmare before christmas, nobody even knew it existed b4 the tenth anniversary, then after all the tenth anniversary merchandise came out wanna be “fans” killed any and all soul of the movie it became a commercialized piece of garbage, i honestly hope that doesnt happen with the sequel to the dark crystal, the original is too much a good movie to become main stream and over commercialized amongst the posers who wouldnt even have given the original movie the time of day had it not been for this sequel, but all in all i think i wil love it ive been waiting for a sequel, and no matter what happens we will always know who the real fans are, who the original cult fanship belongs too, us.
steven said,
April 19, 2007 at 10:43 pm
ya the whole CG background sounds kinda gay thought keep it the old way like Jim Henson would of wanted it.
Ari said,
May 14, 2007 at 4:37 am
wow! i actually just watch the original in HBO
and now they will make the sequel! let’s just hope it will be as good or even better than the original ‘82 movie
catherine said,
May 29, 2007 at 3:19 pm
i cant wait for this to come out, its sounds great. but the main thing im damn glad about is the original voice actors that did the Garthim Master and the High Priest will be doing them again. those two characters had great, Distinct voices, heck all the skesis did.
Anders said,
June 28, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I’ve watched the Dark Crystal for the first time 4 months ago. This is truly the most amazing fantasy and puppet film i have ever seen.
If I had found this movie as a kid it would have scared me and fascinated me.
The Fantasy world that Henson created is truly amazing and I am very exited about the sequel. But making a movie in a computer bugett kind a way will be a shame. Imagine all the work that is put down to create this movie with its fantastic story world and puppets, It could never be done as well today, people just don’t apreciate the beuty of non-computer films. This is truly a fantastic movie, a beuty, art …
Paul Merrill said,
July 16, 2007 at 11:18 am
“The Dark Crystal” is simply AMAZING, totally unique and is still a cinematic landmark and masterpiece of fantasy and imagination, in much the same way as the original (and still amazing) classics “King Kong” (1933), “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), “The Thief of Bagdad” (1940), “Forbidden Planet” (1956), “The Neverending Story”, “The Nightmare before Christmas” and others….
But because (unfortunately) it happened to come out around the same time as “ET-The Extra-Terrestrial”, “John Carpenter’s The Thing”, “Star Trek 2-The Wrath of Khan” and “Tron”, it was and still is barely noticed or mentioned by film genre authorities or reviewers, some of whom probably still largely consider it just another children’s puppet film (!)….
As for the (decades long-awaited) upcoming sequel, despite the several dismal CG sequels and CG remakes of other classic film and TV characters, CG is still absolutely the most versatile tool for many of these types of visuals (as even Ray Harryhausen has inferred several times), but additionally, advanced stop-motion /”go-motion”, intricately-detailed puppetry, background matte-painting and other traditional FX methods can also still be used to very great effect….
Let’s just hope hope the Creative Team (and not the Business Team) on this one are allowed priority on the final look, characters and story of the sequel.
Lucifer said,
September 5, 2007 at 1:08 am
omfg, there’s a sequel to the dark crystal, I haven’t watched that movie since i was lyk 11 yrs old, i love it! it was so thuper!
word!
StrawberryBunny said,
October 4, 2007 at 6:52 pm
“The Dark Crystal” both frightened and fascinated me as a child and is the sole foundation for my deep interest in all manner of fantasy.
In this, most all modern fantasy films bother me with their seemingly ego-centric focus on CGI crap. I have never, save “Labyrinth” and perhaps “Legend”, found a film to really feed my soul the way The Dark Chrystal does. I was instantly ecstatic when I found this column , though quickly had to fish my heart out of my stomach after noticing all the new-age junk they’re trying to make
of my childhood’s imaginary building block. There is a very slim chance I will not be let down by this film ;_;.
If they’re gonna sequel it up, I say stick to the old ways of intriguing puppetry, intricate and picturesque real-time scenes, and a ~deep~ sense of that lush mysticism the 80’s were known for.
Lostinspace said,
October 10, 2007 at 7:33 pm
I’ve been dying to watch a sequel to The Dark Crystal since I was young. I saw the movie when it was first released and I loved it. Later, when it came to tape I watched the rental over and over again. I was never tired of it. My Grandpa hated me for watching the movie many times at his house. I have all the tapes, laser discs and DVD versions of the original movie. All those responsible for its creation are brilliant. Jim Henson shouldn’t be ashamed because the commercial world didn’t like it. The movie is greater than most of the high grossing films. The Dark Crystal has become immortalized as a cult classic. Jim Henson put his soul into the original movie and it shows. All those posting here are a witness to that fact. I think it’s cool that relatives of the actors are posting here to share their thoughts. I had to put the movie on to confirm who the voice of Jen was. I showed the movie to a few friends a while back and most of them didn’t get it. Do you have to be a geek to love it or is there something else? The movie definitely is true art at its best.
Did you know that The Dark Crystal is banned in Iran? I never read why they condemned it but I can make a wild guess. It has to do with the floor pattern in the crystal chamber. Islam has a problem with that symbol. They see that symbol as the All Seeing Eye of the Masonic Order. Their sacred writings say that Allah does not have one eye. I think it’s quite amazing that The Power of the Dark Crystal is going to be released near the date of the Mayan Great Conjunction of 2012. The Mayans might be related to the Phoenicians by way of a fabled sunken island somewhere in the Atlantic. The Masonic Order has high regard for the ancient Phoenicians because of the advances they gave to society.
Silas said,
October 16, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I don’t know a single other person that love’s the Dark Crystal like I do. Even you all might disagree with me when I say it is the single greatest movie of all time, but it is good to see I am not totally alone in the world. If they do to it what they did to star wars, well, I just don’t know if I can handle that kind of disapointment. I suppose I’ll live, but……………..
Garbage Pail said,
October 19, 2007 at 5:34 pm
I saw a trailer about a year and a half ago at the Westside Pavilion in LA, and have yet to hear of any significant updates. I can’t find it online anywhere. What is the deal? Is this really happening?
Victoria said,
December 6, 2007 at 1:26 am
If you look on wikipedia.org, you will find that they have moved the date back to 2009. The same designer for the original movie is set to handle it so it should keep a lot of the same look and feel.