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News
August 18, 2008
to release the first in a new line of action figures for The Dark Crystal!
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Jim Henson's fantasy film The Dark Crystal has been beloved by fans for
twenty-five years, and for the first time ever the Skeksis Chamberlain receives
an action figure makeover. This incredibly detailed and poseable action figure
stands 7" tall and is modeled on the Henson puppet prop from the film. A new
generation is about to discover this magical world of Thra with the upcoming
film, Power of the Dark Crystal, making this the perfect time to introduce them
to the original film and its magic!
Product Number: NEC10954
Shipping Weight: 0.98 pounds
July 13, 2008
link added to the Links page! He was a set
modeler for the film!
January 14, 2008
The 2007 Jim Henson Honors - Podcast
In this episode we take a look at the recipients of The 2007 Jim Henson Honors. We also interview the CEO of Etsy.com Robert Kalin about his company's win of the 2007 Jim Henson Community Honor. Also in this episode Nicole Goldman answers some listener mail about "The Power Of The Dark Crystal." - 6:53
December 17, 2007
HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY !!! On December 17, 1982, The Dark Crystal was released to theaters in the US, Canada, and the UK!
My gift to all whom visit my site: UNSEEN IMAGE from the work print! Jen rising from the pond after a swim.
December 6, 2007
I've created a page to feature the 25th Anniversary Collectible Figures! I have also added them to the Available Merchandise page!
Both figures can be purchased directly from the 1045 Showroom location, both online at
www.1045showroom.com or by phone and email at the numbers listed below. The Landstrider figure retails for $149.99 and the urAc figure retails for $79.99 (plus shipping and handling, tax where applicable). Dark Horse will be the distributor for these pieces beginning early next year and they will be widely available, but for anyone that wants to purchase them before next year they can go to the 1045 Showroom website and buy them there.
1045 Showroom
Ph: (619) 232-8398
Fax: (619) 232-8899
COMING SOON:
November 21, 2007
Images from The Dark Crystal Video Game by Sierra Online can be seen in Rise of the Video Game - Episodes "Level One" and "Level Two". In "Level Two" of the show, which airs on the Discovery Channel, a small interview is done with Roberta Williams, the creator of the video game and pioneer of home computer video games.
November 13, 2007
Legends of the Dark Crystal Volume 1: The Garthim Wars is now available!
Legends of the Dark Crystal Manga - Podcast
In this episode we sit down with TokyoPop's Tim Beedle who is the editor in charge of the Legends of the Dark Crystal and Return To Labyrinth Mangas. Listen in as Tim gives us the inside scoop on these new comic book style expansions to the beloved Henson Properties. - 17:37
This much-anticipated original prequel to Jim Henson's fantasy masterpiece is set 100 years before The Dark Crystal, the groundbreaking film that won the hearts and minds of fans all over the world and set the stage for the new age of muppet-making.
EDITOR'S
INTRODUCTION
I believe I was six years old when I saw The Dark Crystal for the first
time. (And yes, I am old enough to have seen it in the theater
when it was released.) I can still remember how I felt watching it that very
first time: I was terrified, but riveted.
Let’s face it. The world Jim Henson created for his first foray into fantasy was
a very frightening one at times. The Skeksis were scary! The Garthim were scary!
Heck, I even thought the Mystics were a little scary, with their hunched way of
walking and bizarre chanting. (I was six! Cut me some slack!) However, scary as
things got at times, I couldn’t look away, and when the movie was finally over
and the credits rolled, the only thing I could think of was how much I wanted to
see it again.
I’ve always been a huge Jim Henson fan, but I believe The Dark Crystal
had a bigger impact on me than any of his other projects. Prior to its release,
Henson was primarily known for The Muppet Show, but as much as I adored
that show, it didn’t push the boundaries of what could be achieved with puppets
the way The Dark Crystal did. Watch the film again. There’s not a
single human character in it—they’re all puppets. Not that you’re aware of that
while watching it. Jen, Kira, Aughra, Fizzgig, the Skeksis, the Mystic, the
Podlings… They all seem as real as you or me.
When I learned that TOKYOPOP and The Jim Henson Company were discussing a new
original manga series based on The Dark Crystal, I leapt at the
opportunity to edit it. This was a film that had meant so much to me as a child,
and the opportunity to add something to that world was one that I just couldn’t
pass up. I wanted to see the characters and creatures of the film brought back
to life, and I wanted to see it done in a way that would please my fellow fans,
while hopefully bringing a few new ones into the fold.
I knew that the key to that was finding the right creative team. We’ve found it
in writer Barbara Kesel, artist Heidi Arnhold and cover artist Jae-Hwan Kim.
Barbara’s work in the fantasy genre assured me that she had the imagination
necessary to write a story like this, and the experience to know that a good
fantasy is driven first and foremost by its characters. As for Heidi, all I can
say is that her work more than speaks for itself. Look at those beautiful
interiors! (Credit should also be given to artist Max Kim, who got us off to a
great start.) And, of course, Jae-Hwan has been blowing us all away with his
work on Warcraft, King of Hell and War Angels. We knew our
cover was going to be spectacular as soon as he signed on. With our team in
place, Jim Henson’s Legends of The Dark Crystal was born. It’s a
prequel series, so you have a lot more Gelflings in this one. Unfortunately, you
have a lot more Skeksis as well.
I take pride in all the projects that I work on here at TOKYOPOP, but I have to
say that Jim Henson’s Legends of The Dark Crystal is probably my
favorite. It’s been such a labor of love for everyone involved, and best of all,
this time I’ve made it through the experience without getting scared.
Well, maybe just a little.
~Tim Beedle, Editor
SERIES SYNOPSIS
The Dark Crystal was conceived and
directed by Jim Henson after his success with The Muppet Show. It was
released in 1982, and has since gone on to become one of the most popular
fantasy films in history, while also becoming an important component of Henson’s
legacy.
The Dark Crystal told the story of Jen and Kira, the last of their kind
living in a fractured world precariously balanced between the forces of good and
evil. TOKYOPOP’s manga prequel takes place hundreds of years before the events
of the film, when the gentle Gelflings and wise Mystics are still thriving.
And so, unfortunately, are the evil Skeksis...
CREATOR PROFILE
Barbara
Randall Kesel (writer)
Barbara Randall Kesel is the writer of many comic books including
Meridian , a graphic novel chosen for the New York Public Library’s Books
For the Teen Age list. An avid proponent of the comic book medium, she has
written and edited comics, taught comics art classes and helped to create a
mainstream gallery showing of comic art.
Heidi Arnhold (artist)
Heidi Arnhold grew up in Orange, VA
where she powered the entire town via her bunny plantation. When she's not
knee-deep in Gelflings, she can often be found on the floor trying to
communicate with rabbits. A recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and
Design's prestigious sequential art program, you can find more of her work at
http://chibimaryn.deviantart.com.
Max Kim (artist)
Max Kim fell in love with art and design while in college. After
spending over two years at NYU as an anthropology major, he transferred to the
School of Visual Arts in New York, where he graduated in 2004.
CHARACTER INFO
Lahr
-- A Gelfling herder, Lahr
is a peaceful young man content to watch over his herd of Mounders which he
accompanies on his watch with his flute.
Neffi
-- A tiny Gelfling with
quick, tiny gestures, Neffi is a weaver. She’s quiet, but not shy, and is as
complicated as Lahr is plain.
Garthim
-- Giant crab-pillbug
creatures with shiny chiten. The Skeksis’ enforcers from the movie.
Skeksis
-- Evil, corrupt,
frightening creatures who are in possession of The Dark Crystal. They use its
power to perform twisted works of science and alchemy, fueled by the living
essence of those around them. At one point, the Skeksis were one half of a
balanced race, complemented by the good Mystics.
Mystics (UrRu)
-- Gentle, wise,
intelligent beings who live a humble existence philosophizing and living in
harmony with nature. At one point, the Mystics were one half of a balanced race,
complemented by the evil Skeksis.
SkekSo, the Emperor
-- Powerful and ruthless in
his reign, the Skeksis Emperor is feared by those who are wise. Only a fool
would think to call him a friend. He desires youth above all else, and has
devised twisted ways of maintaining his.
SkekSil, the Chamberlain
-- Manipulative and
scheming, this powerful Skeksis is not to be trusted. He desires to be the next
Emperor and doesn’t care whom he steps on to obtain the lofty position.
SkekLach, the Collector
-- An obsessive hunter. He
wants obsessively, and the contents of his chamber reveal all that has fallen
into his twisted grasp.
UrSen, the Monk
-- SkekLach’s Mystic
counterpart, UrSen is austere, nearly devoid of ornament. Patient, deliberate
and serene, he is free of the need for possessions or ambition, gently moving
with the flow of the “now.”
Aughra
-- The Stone Witch. It is
not known where Aughra came from, what race she is of, or her exact age. What
is known is that her age is measured in millennia (some believe her to
be as old as the world itself), she is remarkably powerful, a brilliant
researcher, and seems to align herself with the forces of good in the world.
That said, her help is not to be depended on.
The
Garthim Bust
from
is already
SOLD OUT
and the
SkekTek Bust has been REMOVED
from the site!
August 14, 2007
I've created a page to feature the 25th Anniversary Edition DVD!
August 4, 2007
The Dark Crystal Apple ][e video game for Palm (with emulator) added to the Downloads page!
New Fan Art added from Shin Mayu!
July 14, 2007
New Featured Items! Pictures of all 9 Unreleased Hasbro Aviva Action Figures!
June 5, 2007
New items added to the Available Merchandise page!
The Dark Crystal: 25th Anniversary - Original Soundtrack
The Dark Crystal (Anniversary Edition)
March 18, 2007
PLUSH FIZZGIG is now available!
Fizzgig, the courageous and lovable ball of fur from the film "The Dark Crystal," is released for the first time ever in plush. The faithful companion of the Gelfling Kira, Fizzgig boldly ventures forward into danger despite his small size, proving to us that heros come in all shapes and sizes. Licensed and manufactured by Toy Vault Inc., the Fizzgig plush is a unique collectible from the epic fantasy masterpiece of the renowned puppeteer Jim Henson.
February 4, 2007
POTDC "Hiatus" is a HOAX!
Hello, from
,
about THE POWER OF THE DARK CRYSTAL production...
Darkhorizons.com and
filmick.com have their facts wrong. The film's production is moving along as
planned. The project is not "canceled", "on hiatus", "delayed" or "
abandoned". Production is on track and the film is still planned for a
"Spring 2008" release. The Jim Henson Company's Head of Publicity and Head
of Features both reassured me on Wednesday (after I caught wind of this
rumor) that the film is still alive and moving along as intended. Apparently
some hooligans are out there making reports that the film has been canceled,
but there is no merit to the claims at all. The film is coming and things
are moving along beautifully. The goal is to finish post-production by the
end of the year, so we should see the physical production gearing up real
soon. The internet is a great tool for getting information and it's also a
great place to spread rumors. Don't just trust everything you read about the
film out there. Look at what/who the source is and what validity their
claims have. It's easy for crazed "fans" to make stuff up and get it out
there – and once that stuff is out there it can be hard (if not impossible)
to correct. With a much anticipated film that's part of such a beloved and
established franchise, it's easy for people to jump to conclusions, assert
assumptions as fact and just try to play games with the fan base.
The film should be ready for its debut at Cannes in May 2008. So the key now
is patience. I know it seems like forever when waiting for the film, and
some days it feels like it will never be here. But everything is on track
and the film is coming our way. The film is not on hiatus! So feel free to
set up camp in front of your local cineplex to be the first to get tickets
when they go on sale in "Spring 2008". But until then, we have to wait.
February 2, 2007
Storyboards and sketches for The Power of the Dark Crystal! Thanks, Laszlo!
August 3, 2006
New item added to the Available Merchandise page!
Legends of the Dark Crystal #1: The Garthim Wars
Story by Barbara Randall Kebel
Art by Max Kim
July 28, 2006
Habidabad introduces an extension to The Book of Habidabad!
has updated its information for
The Power of the Dark Crystal!
July 26, 2006
Brian Froud's The Power of the Dark Crystal Queen Kira conceptual art graces the cover of Cinefantastique Magazine Special Collector's Edition Special 2006 Comic-Con Preview Issue!
July 24, 2006
Exciting new t-shirts added
to the Available Merchandise page
exclusively from
!
They reveal images from the upcoming manga prequel "Legends of The Dark Crystal"
from
!
New pictures of the SkekTek bust from
!
July 22, 2006
The Jim Henson Presentation at
Comic-Con!
Source: Scott Chitwood
ComingSoon.net attended the
Jim Henson presentation Friday evening at the San Diego Comic-Con. On the panel
were Lisa Henson, Michael Polis, fairy expert and
The Dark Crystal
designer Brian Froud, sequel director Genndy Tartakofsky, and visual effects
whiz Scott Stewart. (Posters
of the upcoming "Return to the Labyrinth" manga from TokyoPop were handed out to
attendees.)
First up in their presentation was a tribute to Jim Henson. This was followed by
the unveiling of a new children's line of clothes called "Jim Henson Designs".
The clothes feature cute, imaginative, and cool doodles made by Jim Henson as
prints on t-shirts, baby clothes, jeans, and more. They looked very cool.
Next up they showed some new web exclusives that can be bought at Henson.com.
They include shirts from Labyrinth, t-shirts with the
Power of the Dark
Crystal logos, and more.
Also revealed was that the second season of "Fraggle Rock" was coming to DVD. A
3-pack of Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and Mirrormask is
also coming. Continuing the merchandising blitz, busts and statues from "Dark
Crystal" and Labyrinth were shown. The goblin statues were impressive.
Mention of "The Return to Labyrinth" manga was also made. It comes out next week
and includes a preview of "Legends of Dark Crystal," another manga from TokyoPop
that comes in Spring 2007.
Finally, the presentation turned to discussion of the Dark Crystal sequel -
Power of
the Dark Crystal.
Michael Polis and Lisa Henson described how fans kept asking them for a sequel
and that prompted them to ask the script writer if he had any ideas for a
sequel. The script writer remembered a conversation he had with Jim Henson where
they laid out story ideas. Rather than doing the further adventures of the
Gelflings, they wanted to go farther in the world and this film reflects that.
Tartakofsky said how they intend to do a mix of puppets and CGI. They intend to
use the CG effects to remove puppeteers from the images and free up the puppets
to do "real puppet action". All panelists agreed Jim Henson would approve of the
use of the technology.
A few concept art pieces were quickly flashed on the screen. The previously seen
elderly Kira was shown. They showed a new female creature named "Thurma" who is
a fire creature from the underworld. Next up was a male creature from above the
earth named Kensho. The two have an adventure under the surface in the "Innerworld".
We saw pictures of caverns, crystals, underground lakes, and huge monsters. Not
much more was said about the sequel film. A kid asked if the Gelflings would be
married and Froud joked that it was possible they had been "living in sin".
Tartakofsky also said that he'd love to have Frank Oz involved in some capacity
if he could.
The presentation also showed a clip from the upcoming show "Late Night with
Augie and Del". It features two middle aged guy puppets on a late night show
with guests, skits, a band, sketches, and more. One of the characters seemed to
be a combination of John Madden and Rodney Dangerfield. They jokingly promised
to talk about "stuff that really matters". No word on where or when this will be
seen.
Also shown was an absolutely hilarious adult comedy show called "Jim Henson's
Puppet Improv". Think "Who's Line is It Anyway" with puppets. The clip shown
displayed the comedy improvisational skills of the Henson puppeteers while
catering to the adult crowd as far as content and language. The clip had folks
laughing to the point of tears. In one sketch, the director asked the audience
for a country - Angola. They then set up a scene where one Columbo-like
interrogator was questioning a koala about a crime through an interpreter. When
asked for a crime, someone yelled out "robbed a bank". The director said, "More
specific?" Someone yelled out, "Sperm bank!" And thus the scene played out. This
ain't "The Muppet Show," but it was a riot. Again, no word on where or when this
show will appear, but I'll be watching.
Lisa Henson also confirmed that they were in the early stages of doing a
Fraggle Rock movie, but it was a long way off. She also said they don't have
any plans yet for a Labyrinth sequel - they are focused on "Dark
Crystal."
That concluded the Jim Henson panel and it was great to see so much energy and
potential still in the company.
June 15, 2006
New promotional flier for The Power of the Dark Crystal with pictures of Jen, Kira, and Thurma!
May 3, 2006
Brian Henson on Dark
Crystal 2 and More
Written by Fred Topel
Henson Company co-CEO Brian
Henson got on the phone with Now Playing recently to promote the DVD release of
the first two seasons of the animatronic sitcom Dinosaurs. And it didn’t take
long for him to begin spilling secrets about his upcoming projects. First up is
the “Battleground” episode of Stephen King’s Nightmares and Dreamscapes for TNT.
A Henson doing Stephen King? What gives? “Well, I’ve always wanted to do
something not for kids and I basically got to really exercise that on Farscape,”
Henson says. “So Farscape was my big adult thing that I did and I did that for a
lot of years. In continuing along that line, I did this ‘Battleground’ for
Nightmares and Dreamscapes and I think I will do more drama/science fiction in
the sort of X-Files vein as well as quite likely doing some more science
fiction. I’m also enjoying some adult comedy. I think I would likely do some
cool puppet pieces that are puppets but doing adult material.”
But don’t look for any evil puppets in “Battleground.” “There are characters
[but] they’re not really puppets. They’re CG characters and costumes. It’s
basically about a guy who gets hunted down in his apartment by a box of toy
soldiers.”
In even bigger news for children of the 1980s, the Henson Company is doing a
feature length Fraggle Rock movie. “I think we announced that we’re trying to
develop a Fraggle Rock movie a little bit earlier than we’re doing it. Yes,
we’re writing a Fraggle Rock movie and trying to pull it together.”
It’s been so long that they may have to reintroduce the origin story of the
Fraggles, but devotees need not worry about a cheap remake. “I think it was more
realizing the Fraggles in a slightly different environment. It was to do
something that sort of stands next to Fraggle Rock rather than [is] a
continuation of [it].”
You’ll see all your favorite Fraggles, and you won’t even be able to tell that
the original puppets have been lost to mothballs. “Well, we have to rebuild them
because they’re old, but it would be with a lot of those characters,
definitely.”
On the front burner for Henson is a sequel to the cult classic The Dark Crystal.
“We are trying to pull the business pieces together on a Dark Crystal sequel.
That one’s pretty far along. It’s got a good, strong script, a great vision for
how to do it and we’re just trying to [put it together].”
Much of the talent involved with the original Dark Crystal has left the Henson
Company, so recreating that world will take more than just rebuilding the
puppets. “For Dark Crystal, almost none of the voices were actually the
puppeteers, so they were mostly voice artists. Where characters need to have the
same voice we would likely try to find those voice artists or look for other
voice artists.”
If Dark Crystal 2 happens, the obvious follow-up to Labyrinth would not be far
behind. But Henson’s not thinking of an outright sequel for that world.
“Actually, we’re talking about doing something different with Labyrinth but I
can’t really talk about it. So we’re not really working on a sequel for
Labyrinth right now, but Dark Crystal we are.”
February 1, 2006
Queen Kira from the 2008 film, the Power of the Dark Crystal.
GENNDY TARTAKOVSKY TO DIRECT
POWER OF THE DARK CRYSTAL
Orphanage Animation Studios Also Comes Aboard as Production Partners of Classic Fantasy Sequel
Odyssey Entertainment to target distributors at
European Film Market in Berlin
Hollywood, CA, February 1, 2006 – Award-winning animation director Genndy Tartakovsky, who created the hit series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory, will direct Power of the Dark Crystal, the much anticipated sequel to The Jim Henson Company’s 1982 classic fantasy film. The announcement was made today by Lisa Henson, co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company and a producer on the film.
Additionally, Tartakovsky’s newest venture, Orphanage Animation Studios, has been brought on board as a producing partner to head up the CG animation elements that will be incorporated with the film’s live-action animatronic characters. Legendary fantasy artist Brian Froud, designer of the original film, will return to design the new characters. Odyssey Entertainment is representing worldwide sales and distribution on the film.
Set hundreds of years after the events of the first movie when the world has once again fallen into darkness, Power of the Dark Crystal follows the adventures of a mysterious girl made of fire who, together with a Gelfling outcast, steals a shard of the legendary Crystal in an attempt to reignite the dying sun that exists at the center of the planet.
“As an auteur of such exciting and fantastical adventure projects, Genndy is the perfect director to bring to life Power of the Dark Crystal,” said Lisa Henson. “I am sure that his visualization of Brian Froud’s designs will thrill fans of the original film as well as audiences who are meeting these beloved characters for the first time.”
Genndy Tartakovsky said, "The original Dark Crystal was one of the most inspirational and imaginative pictures of its time, so it's a real honor for me to be able to bring the world of The Dark Crystal to a whole new generation."
The sequel is only one of several projects exploring the world of The Dark Crystal, a fan favorite that has remained consistently strong with worldwide home video and DVD sales. Other projects include an animated television series, a manga series from Tokyo Pop, and myriad licensed products such as books, apparel and collectible sculptures.
Power of the Dark Crystal is a production of The Jim Henson Company in association with Orphanage Animation Studios. With a screenplay by Annette Duffy and David Odell, the film will be produced by Lisa Henson and Orphanage Animation Studios Chairman Scott Stewart. Executive Producers will be Brian Henson with Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill of Odyssey Entertainment.
Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill commented, “The original film remains a classic and it’s an honor to add Power of the Dark Crystal to our strong family line up. With Genndy and Orphanage Animation Studios joining The Jim Henson Company, the final creative elements are in place, and we know Berlin will be busy for us as we start the process of bringing this long-awaited sequel to its many fans around the world.”
December 2005
update about the Dark Crystal sequel!
BRIAN FROUD CONCLUDES THE LATEST ROUND OF DESIGNS ON "DARK CRYSTAL 2"
In answer to your many inquiries, Brian has now
completed his latest round of designs for DARK CRYSTAL 2. The latest version of
the script will be delivered before Christmas and work will begin again in the
New Year. No production start date or release date has been set.
October 7, 2005
update about the Dark Crystal
sequel!
DARK CRYSTAL 2 UPDATE
Brian continues to work on initial
concept art for the film as preparations continue to officially begin
pre-production. No release date has yet been set.
Stay tuned! We will keep you posted on all developments of this exciting
project!
August 7, 2005
has announced a news update about the Dark Crystal sequel!
THE DARK CRYSTAL SEQUEL
BRIAN FROUD IN DISCUSSION WITH THE JIM HENSON COMPANY- UPDATED NEWS!
Response from Froud fans at
Comic-Con and Faerieworlds to the news that a DARK CRYSTAL sequel was in
development at the Jim Henson Company was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Fans were
thrilled to hear that Brian Froud was involved and that (as in the original
classic film) puppets will again be used and now complemented by numerous
technologies not available twenty years ago. Brian will visit the Henson studios
in Los Angeles this month to present his initial concept drawings and to meet
with the director, writers and development team. Stay tuned to World of Froud
for breaking news on this exciting and long awaited event.
July
11, 2005
announced today the negotiations that Brian Froud has with the Jim Henson
company about his involvement with the Dark Crystal sequel!
THE DARK CRYSTAL SEQUEL
BRIAN FROUD IN DISCUSSION WITH THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
Brian Froud is currently in the
final stages of negotiation with the Jim Henson Company to reprise his role as
lead conceptual designer for THE DARK CRYSTAL 2, the as yet un-named sequel to
the 1982 film fantasy classic, THE DARK CRYSTAL. Brian is scheduled to begin the
initial phase of conceptual design this month, with no production start date yet
identified. We will share all the up-to-the-minute news and previews on this
exciting and long awaited project with Froudians right here on the World of
Froud website.
May
16, 2005
reports the news about the sequel!
Dark Crystal Sequel Announced
The Jim Henson Co. announced that it
will produce a feature-film sequel to its 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal,
with the working title The Power of the Dark Crystal. The original movie was
directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, with conceptual designer Brian Froud, and
has remained a fan favorite with consistently strong worldwide home video and
DVD sales, the company said.
The company's co-chief executives, Brian Henson and Lisa Henson, made the
announcement. Odyssey Entertainment will represent the worldwide sales and
distribution of the film, beginning immediately at the Cannes Film Festival.
The sequel is based on an original screenplay by Annette Duffy and David Odell,
who wrote the first film. It is set many years after the events of the first
movie. The Power of the Dark Crystal sees Jen and Kira 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 computer animation, the production is expected to commence in the fall. Lisa
Henson and Kristine Belson will produce, with Brian Henson, Ralph Kamp and
Louise Goodsill serving as executive producers.
May 13, 2005
'Dark' sequel crystalizes
Odell, Duffy penned script; no
helmer attached
By ADAM DAWTREY
The Jim Henson Co. is planning to make a sequel to its 1982 fantasy classic "The
Dark Crystal."
Titled "The Power of the Dark Crystal," the new movie is written by David Odell
(whose credits include the original film and "The Muppet Show") and Annette
Duffy. No director is yet attached.
Odyssey Entertainment is handling worldwide sales for the project.
Pic, which will start shooting this fall for delivery early in 2007, will
combine live-action animatronic characters with CG animation to represent their
world.
The story is set many years after the first film. Original heroes Jen and Kira
are now king and queen, and must fight to save their kingdom when the crystal is
once again split.
Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson will act as producers, with Brian Henson and
Odyssey's Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill serving as exec 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.
Brian Henson added, "With the Jim Henson Co. 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."
The original film was directed by Frank Oz and Jim Henson.
Date in print: Sat., May 14, 2005 Cannes Daily
"Dark Crystal" Sequel In The Works
Posted: Sunday May 15th, 2005 2:37am
Author: Garth Franklin
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.
Henson Co. Planning Dark Crystal Sequel
Source:
Variety
The Jim Henson Company is planning
to make a sequel to its 1982 fantasy classic The Dark Crystal, reports Variety.
Titled The Power of the Dark Crystal, the new movie is written by David Odell
(The Dark Crystal, The Muppet Show) and Annette Duffy. No director is yet
attached to the film which starts shooting this fall for a 2007 release. It will
combine live-action animatronic characters with CG animation.
The story is set many years after the original, which was helmed by Frank Oz and
Jim Henson. Original heroes Jen and Kira are now king and queen, and must fight
to save their kingdom when the crystal is once again split.
The company is also developing an animated series, interactive games and other
media as well.
February 10, 2005
Great pictures of early Skeksis
costumes at
!
He was the Associate Costume Designer for the Skeksis!
Toile for the Chamberlain
Many costume
and prop makers made various parts of each of the costumes. The effect was very
eclectic.
The start of
the organic process. The fabrics were spray painted and bleached. I used a fine
scrim to texture the fabric.
Comments from Steven:
I cut all the toile's (fabric
patterns) for the Skesis. The Chamberlain had advanced the most. I worked with
Sarah Bradpiece at Henson's in Hampstead. I was introduced to Duncan Kenworthy
by Vin Burnham. They wanted me to do a 5 day week, but the naval gazing was a
very slow process. I went in one day a week and cut a complete pattern of each
character's costume. My theatrical eye could see possibilities in Brian Froud's
wonderful drawings. The experience of having my work shown to Jim Henson and
Brian Froud, as thought it had been done by our leader, was rather galling. I
thought my involvement had finished and later, whilst on holiday in Germany, I
had a call from Duncan. They wanted me to come back to do the art work on the
costumes. I insisted on a separate workshop to get some kind of control over
this process. Sleeves had been made by one person, a collar by another, it
looked like a jumble sale from the woman's institute. I could see that none had
used an organic approach to the decoration elements. I set about the costumes. I
had makers in tears when they saw what I had done, but Brian Froud loved it.
January 3, 2005
DARK CRYSTAL / Postercard / 8" X 10"
DARK CRYSTAL-FLUTES / Postercard / 8" X 10"
DARK CRYSTAL - FLUTES / Matted Print / 11" X 14"
DARK CRYSTAL / Matted Print / 11" X 14"
THE DARK CRYSTAL - By Brian Froud / Poster / 24" X 36" ST
THE DARK CRYSTAL - Gelflings / Poster / 24" X 36" ST
THE DARK CRYSTAL - Movie Score / Poster / 24" X 36" ST
Comments? Email: webmaster@habidabad.com
This is an unofficial DARK CRYSTAL website. THE DARK CRYSTAL, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of The Jim Henson Company. © 2001. Artwork by Brian Froud. Visit the official website at www.henson.com.