Thought this might be of interest to our mutual benefactor..

A follow-up to the cult classic Jim Henson Company project The Dark Crystal has been floating around the magical realm of rumours and development for years, but only recently started to properly come together. Now the Henson Company has formally announced that Daybreakers directing team Paul and Michael Spierig will be making Power Of The Dark Crystal in Australia. In 3D.

With a script by writer Craig Pearce (who worked with Baz Luhrmann on the likes of Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet), Power is set hundreds years after the events of the Frank Oz film, at a time when darkness has once more fallen across the world. A girl made of fire must journey with a Gelfling outcast to use a fragment of the crystal to re-ignite the sun.

Fantasy artist Brian Froud has already been hard at work creating the conceptual design for the movie, which will blend puppetry and animatronics with CGI.

“We feel a tremendous amount of responsibility in telling this story with the same meticulous care that Jim Henson and Frank Oz gave the 1982 original,” blabs Michael Spierig in the press statement, with his brother adding: “This is a chance to take the world of puppetry into the modern age by using modern techniques (like motion capture CGI) and the tried and true methods (like puppetry and animatronics) to create a one hundred percent real world that is unique to The Dark Crystal.”

Source: http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=27775

3D? Seriously? I admit the technology has come a long way, but this is getting ridiculous.

I'm also going to pretend I didn't read the the CGI part.

[Octillus]

3D? Seriously? I admit the technology has come a long way, but this is getting ridiculous.

I'm also going to pretend I didn't read the the CGI part.

The Henson company did a really cool movie called Mirrormask a few years ago blending puppetry and CGI.

3D aside (I'll see it without), I have faith in the company to do something cool with a beloved classic.

I get to meet Heather and Jane Henson soon!

Socks! You lil' whore.

I'm going to ignore this sequel; I believe a CGI (not to mention 3D) continuation of a tale complete in itself and with such a legacy will do more damage than good, no matter how good their intentions.
Next they'll do a CGI 3D remake of Labyrinth (hell I hope not, that left a bad taste in my mouth just typing that).

Combining practical and physical effects really is the way forward. Look at Pans Labyrinth!The fawn really was a perfect blend of CGI and practical, to the point where you can't tell the difference and just accept it as real.

And 3D is more than likely a passing fad, but if done well I have enjoyed it.

Also, I fail to see how this film possibly being bad could detract from the first in any way? That film won't change just because this exists. Alien is no less a classic because Alien Vs Predator exists.

Well Dane, it's part of Jim Henson's Fantastic World. The exhibit tours so maybe there will be one near you? If not, check http://monh.org then touch base with me. I *should* be able to put you up.

I find being all "IT ISN'T TR00" about this film's use of technological elements that didn't exist in '82 incredibly silly. Even if they hadn't proven such things worked well five years ago with Mirrormask, I strongly suspect Jim Henson would've gone down the same path if he had lived. Heck, there's CGI work in some episodes of The Jim Henson Hour from '89. Plus he also worked quite closely on Disney on the 3D Muppet rides they have. He was all for using everything available to better deliver a vision.

Combining practical and physical effects really is the way forward. Look at Pans Labyrinth!The fawn really was a perfect blend of CGI and practical, to the point where you can't tell the difference and just accept it as real.

And 3D is more than likely a passing fad, but if done well I have enjoyed it.

Also, I fail to see how this film possibly being bad could detract from the first in any way? That film won't change just because this exists. Alien is no less a classic because Alien Vs Predator exists.

Good points all, especially with the Faun; and the last line also applies to Predator.
Still, I suppose growing up with the first Dark Crystal and admiring its legacy has left me feeling reserved about this new one they have planned. I don't think its sequel will damage the original movie, whether it is good or bad; it is more the knowledge that there is (to be) a follow up, and that we are being given something that may not even be necessary.
Such is the curse of modern sequels & remakes, I suppose.

I suppose so, sir. But it's always good to look with positive eyes on such things, we are going back to that world you love and with any luck it could be even more fully realized than before! And hey, if it looks bad, we just won't watch it

Also, I fail to see how this film possibly being bad could detract from the first in any way? That film won't change just because this exists. Alien is no less a classic because Alien Vs Predator exists.

Well, Star Wars was a classic but the whole franchise has been forever sullied by the dreadful prequels. Jar Jar Binks... *shudders*

[JuZ]

Also, I fail to see how this film possibly being bad could detract from the first in any way? That film won't change just because this exists. Alien is no less a classic because Alien Vs Predator exists.

Well, Star Wars was a classic but the whole franchise has been forever sullied by the dreadful prequels. Jar Jar Binks... *shudders*

Not for mine - I was so unbelieveably dissapointed with the prequels but that takes absolutely nothing from Eps 4, 5 and 6 when I sit down and watch them for the 10 billionth time.

Not for ke either, then again I enjoyed the prequels. I think I'm just easy to please with such films though

Actually I felt it was all over the first time I saw an Ewok.

Episode 4 is still pure though, as long as it's not the enhanced version.

[JuZ]

Actually I felt it was all over the first time I saw an Ewok.

Episode 4 is still pure though, as long as it's not the enhanced version.

Jedi is pretty hokey at times, true!



I was still young enough not to really notice when it came out though.

Anyways, fingers crossed for DC2.