The long talked about Dark Crystal sequel is taking one step forward, and not surprisingly is being planned to be shot in 3D
Peter and Michael Spierig will direct the sequel, which is being written by Craig Pearce. One connection to the past – since Henson has been dead 20 years and Frank Oz isn’t returning – is conceptual designer Briand Froud, who will combine live-action, puppetry, and visual effects, probably much the way Where the Wild Things Are did it.
To that end, Australia’s Iloura, which did CGI for Wild Things, is already working on effects for the new Dark Crystal, so it sounds like that part of it is well-thought-out and not just a reaction to market forces.
“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,” said Michael Sprieg, who with his brother co-directed Daybreakers earlier this year.
I am encouraged that they are going to attempt to make the Dark Crystal with puppets as well as some CG. I really found the charm of the original film was the puppetry and the massive man sized puppet costumes. Those strider things were inspiring. Real people in those, not a prop.
Anyways, they appear to have some reverance to the Henson/Oz classic, which I hope pays off. I am cool with them making a sequel, but I want it to feel like it belongs. Updating is fine a la Tron – but it still has to work with the original.
And I think 3D would work well with this too. Really bring it to life.
