Power of the Dark Crystal

[J-Proof]

Since we completely hijacked another thread talking about this, I'm starting the official thread here.

Dark Crystal, the infamously imaginative 1982 flick writen and produced by Jim Henson and art directed by Brian Froud, will now have a sequel (old news to most who are in love with the original "Dark Crystal" movie).

The film will be called "Power of the Dark Crystal" and takes place several hundred years after the first movie - where Jen and Kira are king and queen of a peaceful kingdom of gelflings (which means Jen and Kira must have procreated like mad immediately following the first movie....) The film opens with a girl made of fire warning Jen and Kira that the flame world that resides in the center of Thra is in jeopordy, and that the only way to save it is to break off a shard from the Crystal of Truth. Remembering what happened the last time the shard was broken, Jen and Kira refuse, but the flame girl steals a shard anyway!

Story sounds great to me - and the Henson company got the perfect director in Genndy Tartakovsky (director of virtually everything good on CN).

Here are the current pre-pro photos available. While many sites are calling these concept pieces, the only "concept piece" is the first one. The other images are almost certainly storyboard designs, which means that they might not even have accurate character designs on them.

Any thoughts?

[Brak]

Sounds cool to me. I loved the Dark Crystal as a kid. I thought the movie was so strange (i dont think i even understood the plot) but i would watch it anytime i went to my grandpa's house. 

Is there any speculation on release dates or anything like that? 

[J-Proof]

Hopefully Spring of 08....

There's a rumor circulating the fan community that production has compeltely stopped due to a lack of funding, but the Jim Henson company is quick to disspell any of those rumors, and insists that the movie is still being made.

[Tripe]

Looks good thus far, is Brian Froud doing all the production designs again?

[kodiakthejuggler]

I'm definitely looking forward to this!

The Dark Crystal was one of my favorites, though it scared the wits outta me as a kid. I've grown to love it immensely, and am always humbled when I realize just how much effort and talent went into its creation, and I'm sure the new movie won't disappoint.

I just hope they don't overrun it with cg. The magic of the original lies within the human touch, and it just feels more real when actual sets are built, and puppets are performed by human hands.

[J-Proof]

Looks good thus far, is Brian Froud doing all the production designs again?

That's the other rumor - that Froud isn't involved at all past the initial concepts. However, his signature appears on all the storyboard art that has been released, and in the PotDC blog, Froud confirms his involvement....

There's basically a lot of speculation right now because the producers haven't released anything new in a few months =P

[sarcasm_made_Easy]

i think basically if genndy is involved there is no way to fail, regardless of frouds involvement or not,  the only question in that case would be how close to the original it would, because i dont see how it could be bad. 

[dignan]

Plus we've got all the original voices back for Jen, Kira, Aughra, and Chamberlain.  Sweet!  I love the Chamberlain's whimper.

[MarkAndrew]

Honestly, I'm against a sequel.  But maybe with Genndy, it will work out.  Maybe.  It all comes down to story, I have a hard believing they'll equal the story of the original.

[Junkyard]

I am watching Dark Crystal right now, for the first time, and I can't get over how the Gelflings look. I mean, seriously, I would rather french kiss one of the Vulture things than be within 2 feet of those sawed off freaks.

I'm not sure I want to see one of those things with updated puppet effects. No sequel until I can innure myself to this horror.

[Hebs]

i think basically if genndy is involved there is no way to fail, regardless of frouds involvement or not,  the only question in that case would be how close to the original it would, because i dont see how it could be bad. 

I agree with Sarc, no matter what he does, it's good.  Even though Henson worked wonders, I think there's a new side to this movie that's opened up with animation.  I'm excited - magic n' junk

[Junkyard]

Just finished watching the original an hour or so back- favorite line:
"Where is he?"
"He's dead."
"Oh, then he could be anywhere."

[sarcasm_made_Easy]

the movie had some fun lines.  and was visually very engaging  somehow i think with genndy involved itll be just as visually interesting.  i cant wait. 

I agree with Sarc

wow that dont happen much.    at least it doesnt happen as often as i would like. 

[ScottotD]

I LOVE The Dark Crystal but the plot was anything but original, essentially it's an adaption of Lord of the Rings.  The sequel looks interesting.

[sarcasm_made_Easy]

it was a bit different from lord of the rings.  the crystal that is the world the two races split that once were one.  in another world in another time in the age of wonder.  in another world in another time this land was green and good until the crystal cracked.  Once more they will replenish themselves.  cheat death again, the power of their source  the crystal. 

oh wait, i think thats something else.