Jason KingThe Dark Crystal Sequel is OFFICIAL
May 5th 2010 06:32
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YYYYaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy
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OMNILAB MEDIA AND THE JIM HENSON COMPANY JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH THE AUSTRALIAN FEATURE PRODUCTION OF THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED POWER OF THE DARK CRYSTAL
Sequel to Henson classic film "The Dark Crystal" to be financed and produced by Omnilab Media in Australia and executive produced by The Jim Henson Company.
3D, live action, visual effects film to be one of the largest Australian productions ever.
HOLLYWOOD, CA May 04, 2010 - In a joint announcement by Omnilab Media's Christopher Mapp and The Jim Henson Company's Lisa Henson, Australian based Omnilab Media is teaming up with The Jim Henson Company to bring the much anticipated fantasy sequel, "Power of the Dark Crystal" to the big screen in stereoscopic 3D.
The highly anticipated film will be among the most ambitious projects to ever be produced in Australia.
Power of the Dark Crystal will be produced by the Australia based production arm of Omnilab Media, Ambience Entertainment. The Jim Henson Company's executive producers are Brian Henson, Lisa Henson and Jason Lust. Omnilab Media's executive producers are Christopher Mapp, Matthew Street and David Whealy. Cinemarket Films' Peter D. Graves (Terminator Salvation) rounds out the executive producer team.
Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig, writers and directors of "Undead" and most recently, "Daybreakers" have come aboard to direct the screenplay written by Australian Craig Pearce (Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet) based on an original script by Annette Duffy and David Odell. The legendary fantasy artist Brian Froud will reprise his role as conceptual designer of the film, which will use a stunning mix of live action and traditional puppetry combined with visual and special effects produced entirely in Australia. Omnilab-affiliated Iloura ("Where the Wild Things Are", "The Pacific", "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark") has already begun work on the film's complex CGI elements. With this team in place, next steps will be to secure worldwide distribution.
Power of the Dark Crystal is an exciting and ambitious undertaking and, having worked on previous projects with the top-notch talent and crews that Australia offers, we know we have assembled the right team to deliver the sequel to one of the most enduringly popular titles in the Henson library. Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig are sure to create a film that will continue the legacy of the original and exceed the expectations of our loyal fans", said Lisa Henson, CEO of the The Jim Henson Company. "We are especially enthusiastic to be working with Omnilab Media, a strong and growing force in worldwide film finance and production".
"We are very pleased to be producing this wonderful and fantastical film in Australia."
"The Power of The Dark Crystal will showcase the depth of talent Australia has to offer up on the international stage, including the extremely gifted directing team of Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig. The Jim Henson Company has consistently delivered an amazing range of entertainment over generations and is an iconic creative studio that we are proud to have partner with us", added Christopher Mapp from Omnilab Media.
Michael Spierig said, "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". Added Peter Spierig, "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".
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.
The only thing that concerns me is the directors. OK - I never saw their first film UNDEAD but I loathed DAYBREAKERS. Visually it was impressive but the plot was ridiculous and Sammy and I laughed through the whole thing - this was not the film's intention
I still cringe thinking of any scene with Willem Defoe in it.
BUT THE DARK CRYSTAL IS STILL ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVE FILMS AND I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE MORE OF THE STORY I MAY HAVE PEED MY PANTS The concept and art design for this film is still one of the best EVER made.
I found a copy of the original trailer and I do apologise it is not the best quality I am used to presenting
Sequel to Henson classic film "The Dark Crystal" to be financed and produced by Omnilab Media in Australia and executive produced by The Jim Henson Company.
3D, live action, visual effects film to be one of the largest Australian productions ever.
HOLLYWOOD, CA May 04, 2010 - In a joint announcement by Omnilab Media's Christopher Mapp and The Jim Henson Company's Lisa Henson, Australian based Omnilab Media is teaming up with The Jim Henson Company to bring the much anticipated fantasy sequel, "Power of the Dark Crystal" to the big screen in stereoscopic 3D.
The highly anticipated film will be among the most ambitious projects to ever be produced in Australia.
Power of the Dark Crystal will be produced by the Australia based production arm of Omnilab Media, Ambience Entertainment. The Jim Henson Company's executive producers are Brian Henson, Lisa Henson and Jason Lust. Omnilab Media's executive producers are Christopher Mapp, Matthew Street and David Whealy. Cinemarket Films' Peter D. Graves (Terminator Salvation) rounds out the executive producer team.
Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig, writers and directors of "Undead" and most recently, "Daybreakers" have come aboard to direct the screenplay written by Australian Craig Pearce (Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet) based on an original script by Annette Duffy and David Odell. The legendary fantasy artist Brian Froud will reprise his role as conceptual designer of the film, which will use a stunning mix of live action and traditional puppetry combined with visual and special effects produced entirely in Australia. Omnilab-affiliated Iloura ("Where the Wild Things Are", "The Pacific", "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark") has already begun work on the film's complex CGI elements. With this team in place, next steps will be to secure worldwide distribution.
Power of the Dark Crystal is an exciting and ambitious undertaking and, having worked on previous projects with the top-notch talent and crews that Australia offers, we know we have assembled the right team to deliver the sequel to one of the most enduringly popular titles in the Henson library. Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig are sure to create a film that will continue the legacy of the original and exceed the expectations of our loyal fans", said Lisa Henson, CEO of the The Jim Henson Company. "We are especially enthusiastic to be working with Omnilab Media, a strong and growing force in worldwide film finance and production".
"We are very pleased to be producing this wonderful and fantastical film in Australia."
"The Power of The Dark Crystal will showcase the depth of talent Australia has to offer up on the international stage, including the extremely gifted directing team of Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig. The Jim Henson Company has consistently delivered an amazing range of entertainment over generations and is an iconic creative studio that we are proud to have partner with us", added Christopher Mapp from Omnilab Media.
Michael Spierig said, "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". Added Peter Spierig, "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".
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.
The only thing that concerns me is the directors. OK - I never saw their first film UNDEAD but I loathed DAYBREAKERS. Visually it was impressive but the plot was ridiculous and Sammy and I laughed through the whole thing - this was not the film's intention
I still cringe thinking of any scene with Willem Defoe in it.BUT THE DARK CRYSTAL IS STILL ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVE FILMS AND I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE MORE OF THE STORY I MAY HAVE PEED MY PANTS
The concept and art design for this film is still one of the best EVER made.I found a copy of the original trailer and I do apologise it is not the best quality I am used to presenting
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
The Spierig brothers directing? Oh dear, oh dear. Like you Jason, I thought Daybreakers sucked big time (pun unintended).
I like the premise of the sequel.
And glad to hear the original production designer is back on board, so at least a consistency of look will be there. Well, until the Spierig brothers manhandle it ...
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Comment by Jason King
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Deni - it is so worth watching again - not as fluid and beautiful as it was back then but still stunning. In Australia you can pick the dvd up cheap in supermarkets to buy - you should be able to get it over in US if that's where you are. Glad I can now comment. Have signed up for your updates.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Thanks much
I'm pretty sure I can hunt down this DVD. I live right around the corner from a DVD store that has the most obscure movie collection.
Cheers
Comment by Linh
Celluloid Fun
This is fantastic news.
I've loved the original 'The Dark Crystal' for its clever puppetry, imaginative story and I look forward to seeing a 3D sequel.
Cheers!
Comment by Jason King
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Thanks for the comments folks - Salty is tired and off to bed
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Comment by Jason King
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Erica - glad you like the good news.
Janet - did you ever see the original - a brilliant piece of work and made so well. ?
Comment by ronald c matrau III
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Yes - it looks like Omnilab is definitely on the rise - looking to do some big international projects - aside from Dark Crystal and 'Tommorrow when the....' it's also got another big one in preproduction starring Clive Owen and Jason Statham - this could get interesting
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
~Dianna
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
As long as the dark edge of the original remains intact and the CG is restrained this may be worthwhile.
Comment by Jason King
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Shaunk - yeah Mum has been reading since it started - and occasionally commenting - the more the merrier
Dianna - I could not agree more and will be in the same boat if they ruin the world of the Dark Crystal but the Henson's are involved and they do have the original art director back so I have faith
JD - agreed
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