Power of the Dark Crystal

Power of the Dark Crystal is the sequel to the 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal scheduled for 2009. Veteran animator Genndy Tartakovsky (creator of Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack) will direct and produce the movie through The Orphanage's Orphanage Animation Studios. The film will incorporate CGI backgrounds with animatronic puppets. Fantasy artist Brian Froud, designer of the first film, will return to design the creatures and characters. The original screenplay by David Odell (the original Dark Crystal, The Muppet Show) and Annette Duffy is set many years after the events of the first movie.

Plot

Jen and Kira, having lived for many years as the rulers of their world since the reunification of the crystal, welcome an unexpected visitor to their castle, Thurma the fire girl. From her they learn that the U-mun people, who live in the blazing center of the planet, are threatened by the death of their sun. There is only one thing powerful enough to heal the star - a shard of the crystal.

Remembering what happened last time, the Gelflings refuse and, in desperation, the visitor shatters the crystal, steals a shard and flees deep underground into the tunnels beneath the castle. Immediately the noble UrSkek beings split into the UrRu and the Skeksis, and the Gelflings begin a quest, aided by Aughra, to restore the crystal and escape the violent Garthim soldiers who pursue them once again.

Production
Incorporating a hybrid of live action animatronic characters and CG animation, production is expected to commence in summer of 2006. Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson will produce with Brian Henson, Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill serving as Executive Producers. Odyssey Entertainment will represent the worldwide sales and distribution of the film, beginning at the Cannes Film Festival.

The press release by Jim Henson Studios for this film can be found at their website . It was published on February 1, 2006. Frank Oz, co-director of the original is currently uninvolved with the sequel.

Cast
Despite early rumors suggesting the original voice and puppeteer cast would return for this sequel, there is currently no official word on who will handle the characters physically and vocally.

Related projects
Other projects include an animated television series, a manga series from Tokyopop, and licensed products such as books, "interactive games", apparel and collectible sculptures.

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