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News
October 14, 2009
New Fan Art added by Scott Yazell!
October 10, 2009
New Fan Art added by Atenae!
October 7, 2009
The Dark Crystal (Japan) Blu-ray DVD is now available!
September 29, 2009
The Dark Crystal (US and Canada) and The Jim Henson's Fantasy Film Collection Blu-ray DVDs are now available!
US
Canada
September 17, 2009
The Dark Crystal is currently a "Featured Title" on the Sony Pictures Blu-ray Disc site! This includes a high-def trailer as well as 7 images!
There is also an official page for the Blu-ray disc at SonyPictures.com!
Format: BD
Running Time: 93 Min.
Rated: PG
Release Date: September 29
Synopsis
Enjoy incredible footage from the Henson archives in THE DARK CRYSTAL. Travel
back in time to the faraway planet of Thra. Cheer on the Mystics as they fight
to overthrow the evil Skeksis and take back control of their planet! When Jen, a
member of the Gelfling tribe, sets out to find the crystal's missing shard, his
dangerous journey brings him face to face with monsters at every turn.
Determined to restore peace to their planet, Jen will not back down! From the
brilliant imagination of Jim Henson, this masterpiece of animation recounts the
timeless tale of good vs. evil and has become a cult favorite of children and
grown-ups alike!
"The Dark Crystal is Fantastic!" -BOSTON GLOBE
"...A one of a kind imaginative marvel" -WASHINGTON POST
Special
Features
* Deleted Scenes
* The World of "The Dark Crystal"
* Reflections of the Dark Crystal: "Light on the Path of Creation"
* Reflections of the Dark Crystal: "Shard of Illusion"
* Commentary with Brian Froud
* SkekTek’s Crystal Challenge Trivia Game
* Storyboard Track
* Original Skeksis Language - Test Scenes with Introduction by Screenwriter
David Odell
* The Book of Thra: Dark Crystal Collector
Cast and Crew
* Stars: Jim Hensen, Kathryn Mullen
* Director: Jim Henson, Frank Oz
* Producer: Jim Henson, Gary Kurtz
Details
* Genre: Fantasy
* Studio: Universal
* Sub: English (US), French (Parisian), Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Latin Am)
* Color/B&W: Color
September 11, 2009
The Dark Crystal (France) Blu-ray DVD is now available!
September 9, 2009
More pictures tweeted by
on
!
September 5, 2009
Please don't get offended,
but I love
!
Download "The Dark Cristal" MP3 for free HERE!
September 4, 2009
Original Skeksis language scene from HensonCompany's Channel!
In earlier versions of this film the Skeksis spoke their own language. Here is a scene with the alternate Skeksis language.
September 3, 2009
The Dark Crystal (German) Blu-ray DVD is now available!
August 31, 2009
The Dark Crystal (UK)Blu-ray DVD is now available!
August 10, 2009
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY AND LIONSGATE ENTER INTO HOME ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The Leading Next Generation Studio Obtains North American Distribution Rights To Some Of The Jim Henson Company’s Most Popular and Iconic Titles – Including Fraggle Rock, Emmet Otter’s Jug-band Christmas, and The Hoobs
SANTA MONICA, CA, August 10, 2009– The Jim Henson Company, a leader in family entertainment for over 50 years, and LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, announced today that they have entered into a multi-year home entertainment distribution agreement. Under the terms of the arrangement, Lionsgate obtains the North American distribution rights to over 350 hours of content in The Jim Henson Company’s extensive film and television library including television series, television specials and catalog home entertainment titles for DVD, EST and VOD channels. The first new titles scheduled to be released are the much anticipated Fraggle Rock: The Complete Final Season (Season 4) and Fraggle Rock: A Merry Fraggle Holiday in November 2009. The announcement was made by Anne Parducci, Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Marketing and Family Entertainment and Peter Schube, President & COO, The Jim Henson Company.
“The Jim Henson Company has an incredibly rich legacy of properties. The Company’s works are beloved by fans both old and young and we relish the opportunity to be able to bring properties like Fraggle Rock and Emmet Otter into the home,” said Parducci. “Adding The Jim Henson Company name to our extensive family library is a major coup for us. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”
“Lionsgate has already proven itself to be a terrific distributor of favorites like ‘Fraggle Rock’ and ‘Emmet Otter’s Jug-band Christmas,’ demonstrating the creativity and care these titles deserve and our fans expect,” said Schube. “We are looking forward to collaborating with them to release more classic titles as well as to introduce lesser-known gems from the Company’s library to our audience.”
The deal with The Jim Henson Company continues to build on Lionsgate’s tremendous success distributing product from some of the most prominent family brands in the marketplace. Currently the second largest distributor in the children’s non-theatrical home entertainment category with a 17.6% market share, Lionsgate releases to DVD a virtual who’s-who in family entertainment brands, including Speed Racer and Speed Racer: The Next Generation, Marvel™ Animated Features, Wolverine & the XMen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Scholastic’s Clifford the Big Red Dog, American Greetings' The Care Bears, HIT Entertainment’s Thomas & Friends™, Bob the Builder™, Barney™, Angelina Ballerina™, MGA Entertainment’s ever-popular Little Tikes® brand, Cookie Jar Entertainment’s The Doodlebops, Nelvana’s Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends, and educational entertainment from LeapFrog Enterprises.
For The Jim Henson Company, the agreement is part of its current strategy to establish new brands like the recent preschool hits “Sid the Science Kid” and the upcoming “Dinosaur Train,” as well as to relaunch existing library titles with strong partners across all platforms and media, as seen with the development of the upcoming “Fraggle Rock” and “Power of the Dark Crystal” features and “Farscape” webisodes.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong
and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures,
television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment,
video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong
television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network
series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury,
reality programming through its joint venture with ISH Entertainment and an
array of channel platform assets. Its feature film business achieved a record
box office performance in the recent January-March 2009 quarter, driven by the
success of “Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail,” “My Bloody Valentine 3-D” and
“The Haunting In Connecticut.” The Company's home entertainment business has
grown to more than 7% market share and leads the industry in its box
office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and
prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles
that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation
for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains
synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the
world.
www.lionsgate.com
For Press Inquiries Contact:
Lionsgate
Jodie Magid/Jennifer Sandler
212-386-6885/ 310-255-4072
Jmagid@lionsgate.com/jsandler@lionsgate.com
For Lionsgate Corporate Inquiries, Contact:
Peter D. Wilkes
310-255-3726
pwilkes@lionsgate.com
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include “Sid the Science Kid”, and “Pajanimals”. Features include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” “MirrorMask,” and “Unstable Fables.” Television productions include “Fraggle Rock” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.” With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state of the art and vintage equipment. The Company is currently in production on 40 episodes of “Dinosaur Train,” an animated preschool series teaching concepts of natural science and history, set to debut on PBS KIDS in fall 2009. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand continues to produce “Puppet Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show that runs monthly at the Avalon Hollywood. The Company has also announced the creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim Henson’s earliest sketches, and The Jim Henson Company: Discoveries, an acquisitions banner that celebrates outstanding third party produced independent film, television and video productions from around the globe embodying the Company’s enduring legacy. www.henson.com
July 23, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Presents
Jim Henson’s Fantasy Adventure Classics in High Definition
LABYRINTH™ & THE DARK CRYSTAL™
On Blu-ray Disc™ September 29th
Culver City, Calif. (July 20, 2009) –
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment celebrates the prolific puppeteer Jim Henson with the Blu-ray™ High-Def releases of quest-fantasies Labyrinth™ and The Dark Crystal™ on September 29, 2009 for the SRP of $27.95 each. As co-writer on both films and director of Labyrinth and co-director of The Dark Crystal, Henson created alternative worlds full of mystics, magic and mystery complete with a host of creative characters. From the furious to the feathered, the squat to the tall, and everything in between, Henson’s unparalleled talent constructed surreal realms where the bizarre and extraordinary come to life.These fantastical films sparkle in high definition with an array of exclusive Blu-ray special features including commentary with fantasy illustrator Brian Froud, who collaborated with Henson on both films, behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes. On The Dark Crystal, fans can play "SkekTek’s Crystal Challenge" Trivia Game and save themselves from the scientist’s evil efforts to drain their living essence. Additional Blu-ray exclusives include a Picture-in-Picture “Storyboard Track” and “The Book of Thra,” a feature that allows fans to learn about and collect their favorite characters and objects from the movie. On the Labyrinth disc, fans can get the inside story behind Labyrinth in the “The Storytellers” Picture-in-Picture track which includes all-new interviews with Cheryl Henson and others from the cast and crew.
Labyrinth Synopsis
David Bowie (The Hunger) and Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) invite you into a magical universe where nothing is what it seems. Babysitting infant stepbrother Toby on a weekend night isn't young Sarah's (Connelly) idea of fun. Frustrated by his crying she secretly imagines the goblins from her favorite book, Labyrinth, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah enters a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie). Labyrinth has a run time of 101 minutes and is rated PG.
Bonus Features Include:
• “The Storytellers” – Picture-in-Picture Exclusive
• Making of Documentary: Inside The Labyrinth
• Commentary with Brian Froud
• Journey through the Labyrinth: Kingdom of Characters
• Journey through the Labyrinth: “The Quest for Goblin City”
The Dark Crystal Synopsis
Travel back in time to the faraway planet of Thra where the peace-loving Mystics are fighting to overthrow the evil Skeksis and take back control of their planet. Jen, a member of the Mystics, sets out to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal that will restore balance to the planet. From the brilliant imagination of Jim Henson, this masterpiece of animation recounts the timeless tale of good vs. evil and has become a cult favorite of children and grown-ups alike. The Dark Crystal has a run time of 93 minutes and is rated PG.
Bonus Features Include:
• Commentary with Brian Froud
• Picture-in-Picture Storyboard Track
• The Book of Thra: Dark Crystal Collector
• SkekTek’s Crystal Challenge Trivia Game
• Original Skeksis Language – Test Scenes with Introduction by Screenwriter
David O’Dell
• Deleted Scenes
• The World of “The Dark Crystal”
• Reflections of the Dark Crystal: “Light on the Path of Creation”
• Reflections of the Dark Crystal: “Shard of Illusion”
Labyrinth
BD Catalog Number: 26330
BD UPC Code: 043396263307
BD Pre-Book: 8/27/09
BD SRP: $27.95
The Dark Crystal
BD Catalog Number: 19684
BD UPC Code: 043396196841
BD Pre-Book: 8/27/09
BD SRP: $27.95
Artwork and digital clips are available for download at
www.SPHEPUBLICITY.com
Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at
www.SonyPictures.com
The Sony Pictures Blu-ray Club rewards consumers in the U.S. for purchasing and registering BD-Live enabled Sony Blu-ray movies. Members can redeem accumulated points for cool Sony products, plus enter to win cash and prizes in daily sweepstakes and more. For details visit www.sonyrewards.com/bluray.
ABOUT SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE
is a division of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony
Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and
distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation
and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition
and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new
entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed
entertainment in more than 100 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be
found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.sonypictures.com. For more info on Blu-ray Disc™, visit
www.sonypictures.com/bluray.
Contacts:
Jason Allen
SPHE
jason_allen@spe.sony.com
Kristin Farrell/Alisha Ciolfi Cohn & Wolfe
Kristin.Farrell@cohnwolfe.com
Alisha.Ciolfi@cohnwolfe.com
(310) 967-2973 / (310) 967-2917
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include “Sid the Science Kid”, and “Pajanimals”. Features include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” “MirrorMask,” and “Unstable Fables.” Television productions include “Fraggle Rock” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.” With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state of the art and vintage equipment. The Company is currently in production on 40 episodes of “Dinosaur Train,” an animated preschool series teaching concepts of natural science and history, set to debut on PBS KIDS in fall 2009. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand continues to produce “Puppet Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show that runs monthly at the Avalon Hollywood. The Company has also announced the creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim Henson’s earliest sketches, and The Jim Henson Company: Discoveries, an acquisitions banner that celebrates outstanding third party produced independent film, television and video productions from around the globe embodying the Company’s enduring legacy.
www.henson.com
June 23, 2009
Fraggles Take Comics: Inside the Henson-Archaia Deal
by Vaneta Rogers
Among all the news generated by comics publishers this weekend, one announcement opened a door to the fantastical worlds produced by the mind of Jim Henson -- as well as the potential for new properties carrying his name.
Beginning with a new Fraggle Rock comic starting later this year, readers
will see new stories from properties like The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth,
Mirrormask and The Storyteller thanks to a partnership between Archaia comics
and The Jim Henson Company, now run by Henson's children.
"For us, it takes away a lot of restrictions both creative and budgetary on
storytelling and allows us to tell these stories right," said Joe LeFavi,
Director of Publishing and Development at The Jim Henson Company, who emphasized
the stories will not be adaptations, but will instead tell new stories. "In
features and on TV, you only have a set amount of time and a limited budget to
explore that world. And if you think about worlds like that -- Dark Crystal,
Labyrinth, Mirrormask -- those are huge, vast worlds. So here, with a comic
book, you can spend months there. If you wanted to see a $500 million Henson
film, this is how you can do it. Do it through a graphic novel."
The choice of Archaia was a surprise to some comic fans because the Henson
property Farscape is already being published by Boom! Studios. The Muppets,
which were created by Henson, but have since been acquired by Disney, are also
published by Boom.
Fans also remember that Archaia went through some growing pains last year and
had to restructure as its readership and development grew beyond its previous
capabilities. But as part of the restructuring process, Archaia hired Stephen
Christy as its new director of development, hoping to expand its presence in
Hollywood -- and that paved the way for the Henson partnership.
Christy, who had previously developed intellectual properties for Devil's Due,
had met LeFavi before and decided to introduce him to the titles published by
Archaia.
"I showed Joe a bunch of the Archaia books we publish, such as Mouse Guard
and The Killer and stuff like that," Christy told Newsarama. "And he
really liked them, and obviously, being a comic fan, he was already familiar
with them. And the discussions just kind of went from there. At the end of the
day, I think we all felt the quality of the Archaia brand made us a really good
publishing partner for the kind of quality comic books Henson wants to
produced."
"When Henson decided to take a more aggressive stance on publishing and use it
as a platform to release new stories to the world," LeFavi added, "we wanted to
find a partner that had that artistic integrity that will produce the level of
quality that Henson fans expect from us. When we were going through Archaia's
library, we saw their unwavering commitment to both story and the illustrations.
They just had a very strong understanding of what it meant to be a visual
storyteller. They just seemed like a really great partner for us."
The first comic being released this year will be Fraggle Rock, with a
roll-out of comics based on other properties planned to ramp up through next
year. The choice of "Fraggle" as the first comic accompanies what LeFavi calls a
"new rejuvenation" of the property.
"There's a Fraggle Rock picture coming out in the near future, and there's going
to be a whole new line of consumer products coming out -- everything from shoes
and apparel to storybooks. Fraggle Rock is becoming a very big part of who
Henson is and the stories we're going to put out there," said LeFavi, who will
serve as story editor on all the Henson-Archaia comics. "So this is going to
play a very big role in re-introducing Fraggle Rock to that new generation."
However, LeFavi emphasized that the Henson Company is not making comic books
just so that they can be developed into other media.
"When we decided to go into publishing, it wasn't to use it as some back door to
launch a film or TV show as a lot of people are using comics nowadays," he said.
"For us, it's really just about opening up another creative outlet to tell the
stories we've always wanted to tell."
Christy said more details on the roll-out of Henson properties will be announced
at San Diego Comic-Con in July, when the two companies will hold a joint panel.
"We're definitely deep into discussions about all the different premises for the
properties we're going to do," Christy said. "We're really going to be exploring
those worlds in a new and fun way that we're hoping the fans of the originals
will love, but also in a way that introduces new fans to the properties."
Inside Archaia & Henson's Partnership
by Shaun Manning, Staff Writer
The Henson-Archaia partnership will begin with a comic book based on "Fraggle Rock"
Fans curious about how events in the worlds of “Labyrinth” and “Mirrormask” unfolded after the movies ended, or those who yearn to once again dance their cares away down at “Fraggle Rock” will get their wish later this year. Through a new partnership between the Jim Henson Company and Archaia Comics, new stories set in the various Henson films will begin arriving in comics shops this winter, starting with a "Fraggle Rock" title. The agreement also allows for completely original properties to be developed under the Henson-Archaia banner. The companies expect to announce launch titles at San Diego's Comic-Con International in July, but CBR News spoke with Joe LeFavi, Director of Publishing and Development at The Jim Henson Company, and Stephen Christy, Archaia's Director of Development, to get the background and early details of the partnership.
“Joe and I met at San Diego
Comic-Con last year,” Christy told CBR. “I think the deal kind of came about
when we first met and Joe was like, 'I work for Henson!' and me screaming like a
little girl because I was so excited about the fact that he worked for Henson.”
“We basically instantly clicked because we're both a bit of Henson dorks, we're
a bit obsessed with this legacy,” LeFavi agreed. “We [at Henson] were looking
into getting into comics for a bit and were talking to some other providers and
I knew that the second I first met with Stephen that he was the one that was
going to get it. It was hysterical because I brought him on to the Henson lot
for a general meeting, and on the walk to the conference room, there is one of
the refurbished Skekses from 'The Dark Crystal,' the Ornamentalist. And he
literally stopped mid-sentence, completely blanched-faced, and said, 'Can I just
take a picture of this for my sister with my cell phone?' And was literally
humming the music from 'Dark Crystal' as he was doing it. I remember that moment
so clearly and I remember thinking, whatever it takes, this guy's getting the
gig.”
Christy and LeFavi described the arrangement between Archaia and the Henson
Company as a partnership rather than a straight licensing agreement. In addition
to creating new stories in the worlds of “Fraggle Rock,” “The Dark Crystal,”
“Labyrinth,” “Mirrormask,” “The Storyteller,” and others, Archaia and Henson
expect to also create original co-branded series.
Archaia & Henson will produce comics based on "Labyrinth"
Additionally, all comics released under the Archaia-Henson banner will be new
stories rather than adaptations of the films. “One of the reasons it's so
exciting to do this kind of work is that Henson has created mythology after
mythology of these massive worlds that we haven't even scraped the surface of,”
LeFavi said. “And there's so much to do and explore in these worlds that we've
created, and Archaia's really going to let us do that and explore the boundaries
of fantasia, if you will. We're going to finally give fans the opportunity to
step into these worlds and take a walk around for themselves.”
Joe LeFavi will serve as Story Editor for the new line of Henson and Archaia
comics. “Henson has put a lot of trust in me as basically their in-house geek,
so I'll be there from the ground level ensuring that the Henson fans are getting
the level of quality and imagination that they expect from us,” he said.
Stephen Christy praised LeFavi's advocacy for developing new talent and told CBR
that he was particularly excited for the original titles that may come out of
the partnership. “I think one of the things we're all excited about is that the
people we're going to be bringing in to do these new ideas are really going to
be becoming part of the family. That we're definitely not taking lightly,
because we want to be able to bring in new artists, new writers, into the comic
book space, as well as artists and writers that are already in the comic book
space, and really mentor them and allow the Henson-Archaia brand and line of
books to be something where they can really express their creativity and where
they can do so with the full support of both Archaia and the Henson Company.”
Explaining this philosophy, LeFavi added, “The Jim Henson Company, back in the
day, was known for being this creative community that no matter who you were,
you could come to Henson and tell your story right. When everywhere else you
were hitting against walls, you were a little stifled, you couldn't be as edgy
or as quirky or anything you wanted to be, you couldn't fully realize the
potential of your story except at Henson, and that's what I want to recreate. I
want to create this artistic community where you can be welcomed into the Henson
family and tell those stories you've always wanted to tell, and tell them right.
“That's really what I'm hoping to do with this partnership, and every original
tale that we do, is that we find creators and worlds that the Henson brand can
help gain distinction for them, to bring them into the marketplace and give them
the kind of spotlight they deserve to find the right audiences,” he continued.
“That is one of the fortunate aspects of working at Henson is that people see
Henson, they expect great things from Henson, we stand out and our fans love us
and if we put something out there, the fans will support it.”
Archaia & Henson will produce comics based on "Mirromask"
Both Henson's LeFavi and Archaia's Christy believe the two companies are well
matched and expressed an excited giddiness about the upcoming comics line.
“People are flocking to comics because this really is the platform that's had
all the most innovative and imaginative stories out there, and we wanted someone
who had the artistic integrity that, no matter what they do, it's a labor of
love. That's really how we felt about Archaia,” LeFavi said. “The Henson brand
is a scary thing to entrust to someone. A lot of people love this legacy and are
expecting great things from us, especially when we do new content. We needed to
find a partner that we could trust with that legacy, where we say, 'Get ready,
people! These next stories are gonna be great!' They're gonna have that same
Henson charm and magic. It took a while to find the right match, but that
partner, the one we've been looking for, is definitely 100% Archaia.”
“I can't even say how excited I am, basically,” Christy said. “This is a huge,
huge, huge deal for Archaia, and these Henson properties are really going to
flagship titles for us in addition to our flagships of 'Mouse Guard' and
'Artesia' and 'The Killer' moving forward. I just really hope that as we start
announcing the books and creative teams, fans are going to be excited. These
books are being created by fans of the Henson properties. To be able to kind of
add to the mythology that we grew up with is a huge honor and I think that fans
of both Henson and Archaia are going to hopefully be really happy once these
books start hitting the shelves.”
June 22, 2009
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY AND ARCHAIA COMICS FORM GRAPHIC NOVEL PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP
NEW COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS WILL BE BASED ON FAVORITES FROM THE JIM HENSON COMPANY’S LIBRARY AS WELL AS ORIGINAL CONCEPTS
Hollywood, CA (June 22, 2009) –The Jim Henson Company and Archaia announced today that they have entered into a partnership that will publish comic books and graphic novels based on popular Henson titles as well as new co-branded original properties.
The multi-year partnership will draw from The Jim Henson Company’s extensive film and television library, including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth,
Mirrormask, The Storyteller and other titles. The agreement also allows The Jim Henson Company and Archaia to partner with talent in the comic book, television and film industries to create brand-new stories under a co-branded banner, building on the legacy of quality and creativity of The Jim Henson Company brand and strengthening Archaia’s relationships within the entertainment sector.“Some of the best storytellers in the world are flocking to comic books and graphic novels, making them the foremost platform for innovative and imaginative storytelling,” said Joe LeFavi, Director of Publishing and Development at The Jim Henson Company and who will serve as story editor on all the books. “Archaia has always epitomized artistic integrity, and their passion and support for our brands ensure that fans will receive the very best from the properties they know and love as well as from the new stories we will tell.”
“This is a truly groundbreaking agreement, as it is not just a licensing deal but a partnership in every sense of the word,” said Stephen Christy, Archaia’s Director of Development. “To work with the entire Jim Henson Company and with new talent to create the next generation of Jim Henson Company fan favorites is an unprecedented opportunity, and a dream come true for all of us at Archaia. Creating comics that become a part of the incredibly rich Jim Henson Company legacy is an exciting challenge, and I think fans will share our excitement when they see the talent we’re bringing in to help make these comics a reality.”
Representatives from Archaia and Henson will announce creative teams and a release schedule for the initial slate at San Diego Comic-Con International, with the first title tentatively scheduled for winter 2009.
About Archaia
Founded in 2002, Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. With a slate including such popular Eisner-Award winning titles as Mouse Guard and The Killer, as well as Awakening, Gunnerkrigg Court, Robotika, Killing Pickman, Artesia and the Publisher’s latest additions Titanium Rain, God Machine and Gene Roddenberry Productions’ Days Missing, Archaia has become synonymous with quality content. For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com.
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Archaia PR
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include “Sid the Science Kid”, and “Pajanimals”. Features include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” “MirrorMask,” and “Unstable Fables.” Television productions include “Fraggle Rock” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.” With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state of the art and vintage equipment. The Company is currently in production on 40 episodes of “Dinosaur Train,” an animated preschool series teaching concepts of natural science and history, set to debut on PBS KIDS in fall 2009. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand continues to produce “Puppet Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show that runs monthly at the Avalon Hollywood. The Company has also announced the creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim Henson’s earliest sketches, and The Jim Henson Company: Discoveries, an acquisitions banner that celebrates outstanding third party produced independent film, television and video productions from around the globe embodying the Company’s enduring legacy.
www.henson.com
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY AND ARCHAIA
COMICS FORM GRAPHIC NOVEL PUBLISHING PARTNERSHIP
NEW COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS WILL BE BASED ON FAVORITES FROM
THE JIM HENSON COMPANY’S LIBRARY AS WELL AS ORIGINAL CONCEPTS
Hollywood, CA (June
22, 2009) –The Jim Henson Company and Archaia announced today that they have
entered into a partnership that will publish comic books and graphic novels
based on popular Henson titles as well as new co-branded original properties.
The multi-year partnership will draw from The Jim Henson Company’s extensive
film and television library, including Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal,
Labyrinth, Mirrormask, The Storyteller and other titles. The agreement also
allows The Jim Henson Company and Archaia to partner with talent in the comic
book, television and film industries to create brand-new stories under a
co-branded banner, building on the legacy of quality and creativity of The Jim
Henson Company brand and strengthening Archaia’s relationships within the
entertainment sector.
“Some of the best storytellers in the world are flocking to comic books and
graphic novels, making them the foremost platform for innovative and imaginative
storytelling,” said Joe LeFavi, Director of Publishing and Development at The
Jim Henson Company and who will serve as story editor on all the books. “Archaia
has always epitomized artistic integrity, and their passion and support for our
brands ensure that fans will receive the very best from the properties they know
and love as well as from the new stories we will tell.”
“This is a truly groundbreaking agreement, as it is not just a licensing deal
but a partnership in every sense of the word,” said Stephen Christy, Archaia’s
Director of Development. “To work with the entire Jim Henson Company and with
new talent to create the next generation of Jim Henson Company fan favorites is
an unprecedented opportunity, and a dream come true for all of us at Archaia.
Creating comics that become a part of the incredibly rich Jim Henson Company
legacy is an exciting challenge, and I think fans will share our excitement when
they see the talent we’re bringing in to help make these comics a reality.”
Representatives from Archaia and Henson will announce creative teams and a
release schedule for the initial slate at San Diego Comic-Con International,
with the first title tentatively scheduled for winter 2009.
About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family
entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in
puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the
world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy
Awards. Recent credits include “Sid the Science Kid”, and “Pajanimals”. Features
include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” “MirrorMask,” and “Unstable Fables.”
Television productions include “Fraggle Rock” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.”
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is
headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with
soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by
the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim
Henson's Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects
group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as
Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry's top recording facilities
known for its world-class blend of state of the art and vintage equipment. The
Company is currently in production on 40 episodes of “Dinosaur Train,” an
animated preschool series teaching concepts of natural science and history, set
to debut on PBS KIDS in fall 2009. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand
continues to produce “Puppet Up! - Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational
show that runs monthly at the Avalon Hollywood. The Company has also announced
the creation of Jim Henson Designs, a merchandise collection inspired by Jim
Henson’s earliest sketches, and The Jim Henson Company: Discoveries, an
acquisitions banner that celebrates outstanding third party produced independent
film, television and video productions from around the globe embodying the
Company’s enduring legacy.
www.henson.com
About Archaia
Founded in 2002, Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing
meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. With a slate including
such popular Eisner-Award winning titles as Mouse Guard and The Killer, as well
as Awakening, Gunnerkrigg Court, Robotika, Killing Pickman, Artesia and the
Publisher’s latest additions Titanium Rain, God Machine and Gene Roddenberry
Productions’ Days Missing, Archaia has become synonymous with quality content.
For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit
www.Archaia.com.
June 8, 2009
skekSil's Up To No Good
First-ever Chamberlain figure In Stores Now!
NECA's Cult Classics proudly debuts this 6" figure of the next in line for the Skeksis throne and the baddest of the Dark Crystal baddies, skekSil. Whining not included.
Jim Henson's first all-creature feature film. 1982's The Dark Crystal is a classic tale of good against evil — Mystics against Skeksis. Long ago, the Crystal, the very source of balance and truth in the Universe, was shattered. Now, as the convergence of the three suns approaches, the Crystal must be restored, or the evil Skeksis will rule the world forever. Jen and Kira, the world's last two Gelflings, must now journey together to replace the Crystal's missing shard in order to fulfill the ancient prophecy and restore harmony to their world.
May 15, 2009
The artist of the next
Legends of the Dark Crystal manga, Heidi Arnhold (ChibiMaryn), has posted some
preview pages on her
page!
Links:
Preview Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
May 12, 2009
Return to Labyrinth Volume 3 (Paperback)
Contains a preview of Legends of the Dark Crystal Volume 2!
May 11, 2009
Pictures tweeted by
on
!
December 17, 2008
HAPPY 26th ANNIVERSARY!!!
On December 17, 1982, Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal was released to theaters in the US, Canada, and the UK!
My gift to all who visit my site: UNSEEN IMAGES from the work print!
Jen rising from the pond after a swim.
Jen and urZah.
August 18, 2008
to release the first in a new line of action figures for The Dark Crystal!
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Jim Henson's fantasy film The Dark Crystal has been beloved by fans for
twenty-five years, and for the first time ever the Skeksis Chamberlain receives
an action figure makeover. This incredibly detailed and poseable action figure
stands 7" tall and is modeled on the Henson puppet prop from the film. A new
generation is about to discover this magical world of Thra with the upcoming
film, Power of the Dark Crystal, making this the perfect time to introduce them
to the original film and its magic!
Product Number: NEC10954
Shipping Weight: 0.98 pounds
July 13, 2008
link added to the Links page! He was a set
modeler for the film!
January 14, 2008
The 2007 Jim Henson Honors - Podcast
In this episode we take a look at the recipients of The 2007 Jim Henson Honors. We also interview the CEO of Etsy.com Robert Kalin about his company's win of the 2007 Jim Henson Community Honor. Also in this episode Nicole Goldman answers some listener mail about "The Power Of The Dark Crystal." - 6:53
November 13, 2007
Legends of the Dark Crystal Volume 1: The Garthim Wars is now available!
Legends of the Dark Crystal Manga - Podcast
In this episode we sit down with TokyoPop's Tim Beedle who is the editor in charge of the Legends of the Dark Crystal and Return To Labyrinth Mangas. Listen in as Tim gives us the inside scoop on these new comic book style expansions to the beloved Henson Properties. - 17:37
This much-anticipated original prequel to Jim Henson's fantasy masterpiece is set 100 years before The Dark Crystal, the groundbreaking film that won the hearts and minds of fans all over the world and set the stage for the new age of muppet-making.
EDITOR'S
INTRODUCTION
I believe I was six years old when I saw The Dark Crystal for the first
time. (And yes, I am old enough to have seen it in the theater
when it was released.) I can still remember how I felt watching it that very
first time: I was terrified, but riveted.
Let’s face it. The world Jim Henson created for his first foray into fantasy was
a very frightening one at times. The Skeksis were scary! The Garthim were scary!
Heck, I even thought the Mystics were a little scary, with their hunched way of
walking and bizarre chanting. (I was six! Cut me some slack!) However, scary as
things got at times, I couldn’t look away, and when the movie was finally over
and the credits rolled, the only thing I could think of was how much I wanted to
see it again.
I’ve always been a huge Jim Henson fan, but I believe The Dark Crystal
had a bigger impact on me than any of his other projects. Prior to its release,
Henson was primarily known for The Muppet Show, but as much as I adored
that show, it didn’t push the boundaries of what could be achieved with puppets
the way The Dark Crystal did. Watch the film again. There’s not a
single human character in it—they’re all puppets. Not that you’re aware of that
while watching it. Jen, Kira, Aughra, Fizzgig, the Skeksis, the Mystic, the
Podlings… They all seem as real as you or me.
When I learned that TOKYOPOP and The Jim Henson Company were discussing a new
original manga series based on The Dark Crystal, I leapt at the
opportunity to edit it. This was a film that had meant so much to me as a child,
and the opportunity to add something to that world was one that I just couldn’t
pass up. I wanted to see the characters and creatures of the film brought back
to life, and I wanted to see it done in a way that would please my fellow fans,
while hopefully bringing a few new ones into the fold.
I knew that the key to that was finding the right creative team. We’ve found it
in writer Barbara Kesel, artist Heidi Arnhold and cover artist Jae-Hwan Kim.
Barbara’s work in the fantasy genre assured me that she had the imagination
necessary to write a story like this, and the experience to know that a good
fantasy is driven first and foremost by its characters. As for Heidi, all I can
say is that her work more than speaks for itself. Look at those beautiful
interiors! (Credit should also be given to artist Max Kim, who got us off to a
great start.) And, of course, Jae-Hwan has been blowing us all away with his
work on Warcraft, King of Hell and War Angels. We knew our
cover was going to be spectacular as soon as he signed on. With our team in
place, Jim Henson’s Legends of The Dark Crystal was born. It’s a
prequel series, so you have a lot more Gelflings in this one. Unfortunately, you
have a lot more Skeksis as well.
I take pride in all the projects that I work on here at TOKYOPOP, but I have to
say that Jim Henson’s Legends of The Dark Crystal is probably my
favorite. It’s been such a labor of love for everyone involved, and best of all,
this time I’ve made it through the experience without getting scared.
Well, maybe just a little.
~Tim Beedle, Editor
SERIES SYNOPSIS
The Dark Crystal was conceived and
directed by Jim Henson after his success with The Muppet Show. It was
released in 1982, and has since gone on to become one of the most popular
fantasy films in history, while also becoming an important component of Henson’s
legacy.
The Dark Crystal told the story of Jen and Kira, the last of their kind
living in a fractured world precariously balanced between the forces of good and
evil. TOKYOPOP’s manga prequel takes place hundreds of years before the events
of the film, when the gentle Gelflings and wise Mystics are still thriving.
And so, unfortunately, are the evil Skeksis...
CREATOR PROFILE
Barbara
Randall Kesel (writer)
Barbara Randall Kesel is the writer of many comic books including
Meridian , a graphic novel chosen for the New York Public Library’s Books
For the Teen Age list. An avid proponent of the comic book medium, she has
written and edited comics, taught comics art classes and helped to create a
mainstream gallery showing of comic art.
Heidi Arnhold (artist)
Heidi Arnhold grew up in Orange, VA
where she powered the entire town via her bunny plantation. When she's not
knee-deep in Gelflings, she can often be found on the floor trying to
communicate with rabbits. A recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and
Design's prestigious sequential art program, you can find more of her work at
http://chibimaryn.deviantart.com.
Max Kim (artist)
Max Kim fell in love with art and design while in college. After
spending over two years at NYU as an anthropology major, he transferred to the
School of Visual Arts in New York, where he graduated in 2004.
CHARACTER INFO
Lahr
-- A Gelfling herder, Lahr
is a peaceful young man content to watch over his herd of Mounders which he
accompanies on his watch with his flute.
Neffi
-- A tiny Gelfling with
quick, tiny gestures, Neffi is a weaver. She’s quiet, but not shy, and is as
complicated as Lahr is plain.
Garthim
-- Giant crab-pillbug
creatures with shiny chiten. The Skeksis’ enforcers from the movie.
Skeksis
-- Evil, corrupt,
frightening creatures who are in possession of The Dark Crystal. They use its
power to perform twisted works of science and alchemy, fueled by the living
essence of those around them. At one point, the Skeksis were one half of a
balanced race, complemented by the good Mystics.
Mystics (UrRu)
-- Gentle, wise,
intelligent beings who live a humble existence philosophizing and living in
harmony with nature. At one point, the Mystics were one half of a balanced race,
complemented by the evil Skeksis.
SkekSo, the Emperor
-- Powerful and ruthless in
his reign, the Skeksis Emperor is feared by those who are wise. Only a fool
would think to call him a friend. He desires youth above all else, and has
devised twisted ways of maintaining his.
SkekSil, the Chamberlain
-- Manipulative and
scheming, this powerful Skeksis is not to be trusted. He desires to be the next
Emperor and doesn’t care whom he steps on to obtain the lofty position.
SkekLach, the Collector
-- An obsessive hunter. He
wants obsessively, and the contents of his chamber reveal all that has fallen
into his twisted grasp.
UrSen, the Monk
-- SkekLach’s Mystic
counterpart, UrSen is austere, nearly devoid of ornament. Patient, deliberate
and serene, he is free of the need for possessions or ambition, gently moving
with the flow of the “now.”
Aughra
-- The Stone Witch. It is
not known where Aughra came from, what race she is of, or her exact age. What
is known is that her age is measured in millennia (some believe her to
be as old as the world itself), she is remarkably powerful, a brilliant
researcher, and seems to align herself with the forces of good in the world.
That said, her help is not to be depended on.
February 2, 2007
Storyboards and sketches for The Power of the Dark Crystal! Thanks, Laszlo!
July 28, 2006
Habidabad introduces an extension to The Book of Habidabad!
July 26, 2006
Brian Froud's The Power of the Dark Crystal Queen Kira conceptual art graces the cover of Cinefantastique Magazine Special Collector's Edition Special 2006 Comic-Con Preview Issue!
July 22, 2006
The Jim Henson Presentation at
Comic-Con!
Source: Scott Chitwood
ComingSoon.net attended the
Jim Henson presentation Friday evening at the San Diego Comic-Con. On the panel
were Lisa Henson, Michael Polis, fairy expert and
The Dark Crystal
designer Brian Froud, sequel director Genndy Tartakofsky, and visual effects
whiz Scott Stewart. (Posters
of the upcoming "Return to the Labyrinth" manga from TokyoPop were handed out to
attendees.)
First up in their presentation was a tribute to Jim Henson. This was followed by
the unveiling of a new children's line of clothes called "Jim Henson Designs".
The clothes feature cute, imaginative, and cool doodles made by Jim Henson as
prints on t-shirts, baby clothes, jeans, and more. They looked very cool.
Next up they showed some new web exclusives that can be bought at Henson.com.
They include shirts from Labyrinth, t-shirts with the
Power of the Dark
Crystal logos, and more.
Also revealed was that the second season of "Fraggle Rock" was coming to DVD. A
3-pack of Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, and Mirrormask is
also coming. Continuing the merchandising blitz, busts and statues from "Dark
Crystal" and Labyrinth were shown. The goblin statues were impressive.
Mention of "The Return to Labyrinth" manga was also made. It comes out next week
and includes a preview of "Legends of Dark Crystal," another manga from TokyoPop
that comes in Spring 2007.
Finally, the presentation turned to discussion of the Dark Crystal sequel -
Power of
the Dark Crystal.
Michael Polis and Lisa Henson described how fans kept asking them for a sequel
and that prompted them to ask the script writer if he had any ideas for a
sequel. The script writer remembered a conversation he had with Jim Henson where
they laid out story ideas. Rather than doing the further adventures of the
Gelflings, they wanted to go farther in the world and this film reflects that.
Tartakofsky said how they intend to do a mix of puppets and CGI. They intend to
use the CG effects to remove puppeteers from the images and free up the puppets
to do "real puppet action". All panelists agreed Jim Henson would approve of the
use of the technology.
A few concept art pieces were quickly flashed on the screen. The previously seen
elderly Kira was shown. They showed a new female creature named "Thurma" who is
a fire creature from the underworld. Next up was a male creature from above the
earth named Kensho. The two have an adventure under the surface in the "Innerworld".
We saw pictures of caverns, crystals, underground lakes, and huge monsters. Not
much more was said about the sequel film. A kid asked if the Gelflings would be
married and Froud joked that it was possible they had been "living in sin".
Tartakofsky also said that he'd love to have Frank Oz involved in some capacity
if he could.
The presentation also showed a clip from the upcoming show "Late Night with
Augie and Del". It features two middle aged guy puppets on a late night show
with guests, skits, a band, sketches, and more. One of the characters seemed to
be a combination of John Madden and Rodney Dangerfield. They jokingly promised
to talk about "stuff that really matters". No word on where or when this will be
seen.
Also shown was an absolutely hilarious adult comedy show called "Jim Henson's
Puppet Improv". Think "Who's Line is It Anyway" with puppets. The clip shown
displayed the comedy improvisational skills of the Henson puppeteers while
catering to the adult crowd as far as content and language. The clip had folks
laughing to the point of tears. In one sketch, the director asked the audience
for a country - Angola. They then set up a scene where one Columbo-like
interrogator was questioning a koala about a crime through an interpreter. When
asked for a crime, someone yelled out "robbed a bank". The director said, "More
specific?" Someone yelled out, "Sperm bank!" And thus the scene played out. This
ain't "The Muppet Show," but it was a riot. Again, no word on where or when this
show will appear, but I'll be watching.
Lisa Henson also confirmed that they were in the early stages of doing a
Fraggle Rock movie, but it was a long way off. She also said they don't have
any plans yet for a Labyrinth sequel - they are focused on "Dark
Crystal."
That concluded the Jim Henson panel and it was great to see so much energy and
potential still in the company.
June 15, 2006
New promotional flier for The Power of the Dark Crystal with pictures of Jen, Kira, and Thurma!
May 3, 2006
Brian Henson on Dark
Crystal 2 and More
Written by Fred Topel
Henson Company co-CEO Brian
Henson got on the phone with Now Playing recently to promote the DVD release of
the first two seasons of the animatronic sitcom Dinosaurs. And it didn’t take
long for him to begin spilling secrets about his upcoming projects. First up is
the “Battleground” episode of Stephen King’s Nightmares and Dreamscapes for TNT.
A Henson doing Stephen King? What gives? “Well, I’ve always wanted to do
something not for kids and I basically got to really exercise that on Farscape,”
Henson says. “So Farscape was my big adult thing that I did and I did that for a
lot of years. In continuing along that line, I did this ‘Battleground’ for
Nightmares and Dreamscapes and I think I will do more drama/science fiction in
the sort of X-Files vein as well as quite likely doing some more science
fiction. I’m also enjoying some adult comedy. I think I would likely do some
cool puppet pieces that are puppets but doing adult material.”
But don’t look for any evil puppets in “Battleground.” “There are characters
[but] they’re not really puppets. They’re CG characters and costumes. It’s
basically about a guy who gets hunted down in his apartment by a box of toy
soldiers.”
In even bigger news for children of the 1980s, the Henson Company is doing a
feature length Fraggle Rock movie. “I think we announced that we’re trying to
develop a Fraggle Rock movie a little bit earlier than we’re doing it. Yes,
we’re writing a Fraggle Rock movie and trying to pull it together.”
It’s been so long that they may have to reintroduce the origin story of the
Fraggles, but devotees need not worry about a cheap remake. “I think it was more
realizing the Fraggles in a slightly different environment. It was to do
something that sort of stands next to Fraggle Rock rather than [is] a
continuation of [it].”
You’ll see all your favorite Fraggles, and you won’t even be able to tell that
the original puppets have been lost to mothballs. “Well, we have to rebuild them
because they’re old, but it would be with a lot of those characters,
definitely.”
On the front burner for Henson is a sequel to the cult classic The Dark Crystal.
“We are trying to pull the business pieces together on a Dark Crystal sequel.
That one’s pretty far along. It’s got a good, strong script, a great vision for
how to do it and we’re just trying to [put it together].”
Much of the talent involved with the original Dark Crystal has left the Henson
Company, so recreating that world will take more than just rebuilding the
puppets. “For Dark Crystal, almost none of the voices were actually the
puppeteers, so they were mostly voice artists. Where characters need to have the
same voice we would likely try to find those voice artists or look for other
voice artists.”
If Dark Crystal 2 happens, the obvious follow-up to Labyrinth would not be far
behind. But Henson’s not thinking of an outright sequel for that world.
“Actually, we’re talking about doing something different with Labyrinth but I
can’t really talk about it. So we’re not really working on a sequel for
Labyrinth right now, but Dark Crystal we are.”
February 1, 2006
Queen Kira from the 2008 film, the Power of the Dark Crystal.
GENNDY TARTAKOVSKY TO DIRECT
POWER OF THE DARK CRYSTAL
Orphanage Animation Studios Also Comes Aboard as Production Partners of Classic Fantasy Sequel
Odyssey Entertainment to target distributors at
European Film Market in Berlin
Hollywood, CA, February 1, 2006 – Award-winning animation director Genndy Tartakovsky, who created the hit series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory, will direct Power of the Dark Crystal, the much anticipated sequel to The Jim Henson Company’s 1982 classic fantasy film. The announcement was made today by Lisa Henson, co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company and a producer on the film.
Additionally, Tartakovsky’s newest venture, Orphanage Animation Studios, has been brought on board as a producing partner to head up the CG animation elements that will be incorporated with the film’s live-action animatronic characters. Legendary fantasy artist Brian Froud, designer of the original film, will return to design the new characters. Odyssey Entertainment is representing worldwide sales and distribution on the film.
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.
“As an auteur of such exciting and fantastical adventure projects, Genndy is the perfect director to bring to life Power of the Dark Crystal,” said Lisa Henson. “I am sure that his visualization of Brian Froud’s designs will thrill fans of the original film as well as audiences who are meeting these beloved characters for the first time.”
Genndy Tartakovsky said, "The original Dark Crystal was one of the most inspirational and imaginative pictures of its time, so it's a real honor for me to be able to bring the world of The Dark Crystal to a whole new generation."
The sequel is only one of several projects exploring the world of The Dark Crystal, a fan favorite that has remained consistently strong with worldwide home video and DVD sales. Other projects include an animated television series, a manga series from Tokyo Pop, and myriad licensed products such as books, apparel and collectible sculptures.
Power of the Dark Crystal is a production of The Jim Henson Company in association with Orphanage Animation Studios. With a screenplay by Annette Duffy and David Odell, the film will be produced by Lisa Henson and Orphanage Animation Studios Chairman Scott Stewart. Executive Producers will be Brian Henson with Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill of Odyssey Entertainment.
Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill commented, “The original film remains a classic and it’s an honor to add Power of the Dark Crystal to our strong family line up. With Genndy and Orphanage Animation Studios joining The Jim Henson Company, the final creative elements are in place, and we know Berlin will be busy for us as we start the process of bringing this long-awaited sequel to its many fans around the world.”
December 2005
update about the Dark Crystal sequel!
BRIAN FROUD CONCLUDES THE LATEST ROUND OF DESIGNS ON "DARK CRYSTAL 2"
In answer to your many inquiries, Brian has now
completed his latest round of designs for DARK CRYSTAL 2. The latest version of
the script will be delivered before Christmas and work will begin again in the
New Year. No production start date or release date has been set.
October 7, 2005
update about the Dark Crystal
sequel!
DARK CRYSTAL 2 UPDATE
Brian continues to work on initial
concept art for the film as preparations continue to officially begin
pre-production. No release date has yet been set.
Stay tuned! We will keep you posted on all developments of this exciting
project!
August 7, 2005
has announced a news update about the Dark Crystal sequel!
THE DARK CRYSTAL SEQUEL
BRIAN FROUD IN DISCUSSION WITH THE JIM HENSON COMPANY- UPDATED NEWS!
Response from Froud fans at
Comic-Con and Faerieworlds to the news that a DARK CRYSTAL sequel was in
development at the Jim Henson Company was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Fans were
thrilled to hear that Brian Froud was involved and that (as in the original
classic film) puppets will again be used and now complemented by numerous
technologies not available twenty years ago. Brian will visit the Henson studios
in Los Angeles this month to present his initial concept drawings and to meet
with the director, writers and development team. Stay tuned to World of Froud
for breaking news on this exciting and long awaited event.
July
11, 2005
announced today the negotiations that Brian Froud has with the Jim Henson
company about his involvement with the Dark Crystal sequel!
THE DARK CRYSTAL SEQUEL
BRIAN FROUD IN DISCUSSION WITH THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
Brian Froud is currently in the
final stages of negotiation with the Jim Henson Company to reprise his role as
lead conceptual designer for THE DARK CRYSTAL 2, the as yet un-named sequel to
the 1982 film fantasy classic, THE DARK CRYSTAL. Brian is scheduled to begin the
initial phase of conceptual design this month, with no production start date yet
identified. We will share all the up-to-the-minute news and previews on this
exciting and long awaited project with Froudians right here on the World of
Froud website.
May
16, 2005
reports the news about the sequel!
Dark Crystal Sequel Announced
The Jim Henson Co. announced that it
will produce a feature-film sequel to its 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal,
with the working title The Power of the Dark Crystal. The original movie was
directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, with conceptual designer Brian Froud, and
has remained a fan favorite with consistently strong worldwide home video and
DVD sales, the company said.
The company's co-chief executives, Brian Henson and Lisa Henson, made the
announcement. Odyssey Entertainment will represent the worldwide sales and
distribution of the film, beginning immediately at the Cannes Film Festival.
The sequel is based on an original screenplay by Annette Duffy and David Odell,
who wrote the first film. It is set many years after the events of the first
movie. The Power of the Dark Crystal sees Jen and Kira as king and queen and
guardians of the crystal, who fight to save their kingdom when the crystal is
once again split. Incorporating a hybrid of live-action animatronic characters
and computer animation, the production is expected to commence in the fall. Lisa
Henson and Kristine Belson will produce, with Brian Henson, Ralph Kamp and
Louise Goodsill serving as executive producers.
May 13, 2005
'Dark' sequel crystalizes
Odell, Duffy penned script; no
helmer attached
By ADAM DAWTREY
The Jim Henson Co. is planning to make a sequel to its 1982 fantasy classic "The
Dark Crystal."
Titled "The Power of the Dark Crystal," the new movie is written by David Odell
(whose credits include the original film and "The Muppet Show") and Annette
Duffy. No director is yet attached.
Odyssey Entertainment is handling worldwide sales for the project.
Pic, which will start shooting this fall for delivery early in 2007, will
combine live-action animatronic characters with CG animation to represent their
world.
The story is set many years after the first film. Original heroes Jen and Kira
are now king and queen, and must fight to save their kingdom when the crystal is
once again split.
Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson will act as producers, with Brian Henson and
Odyssey's Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill serving as exec producers.
" 'The Dark Crystal' created its own world. We are now going to fully explore
this universe through the sequel film, which will be followed up with an
animated series as well as interactive games and other media," said Lisa Henson.
Brian Henson added, "With the Jim Henson Co. celebrating its 50th anniversary,
'The Power of the Dark Crystal' is a wonderful tribute to our legacy of fantasy
projects. The original film set a new standard for the genre and broke new
ground in visual effects."
The original film was directed by Frank Oz and Jim Henson.
Date in print: Sat., May 14, 2005 Cannes Daily
"Dark Crystal" Sequel In The Works
Posted: Sunday May 15th, 2005 2:37am
Author: Garth Franklin
The Jim Henson Company will produce a feature film sequel to The Dark Crystal,
the 1982 fantasy classic directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz with conceptual
designer Brian Froud, which has remained a fan favorite with consistently strong
worldwide home video and DVD sales. The announcement was made by the Company's
co-CEOs Brian Henson and Lisa Henson. Odyssey Entertainment will represent the
worldwide sales and distribution of the film, beginning immediately at the
Cannes Film Festival.
The original screenplay by Annette Duffy and David Odell (the original Dark
Crystal, The Muppet Show) is set many years after the events of the first movie.
The Power of the Dark Crystal (working title), sees Jen and Kira (the original
film's heroes) as King and Queen and guardians of the Crystal who fight to save
their kingdom when the Crystal is once again split. Incorporating a hybrid of
live action animatronic characters and CG animation, production is expected to
commence in fall of 2005. Lisa Henson and Kristine Belson will produce with
Brian Henson, Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill serving as Executive Producers.
"The Dark Crystal created its own world. We are now going to fully explore this
universe through the sequel film, which will be followed up with an animated
series as well as interactive games and other media," said Lisa Henson. "Knowing
the franchise's worldwide appeal, we're thrilled to leverage Odyssey's expertise
in family entertainment within the independent film-sales community."
Brian Henson said, "With The Jim Henson Company celebrating its 50th
anniversary, The Power of the Dark Crystal is a wonderful tribute to our legacy
of fantasy projects. The original film set a new standard for the genre and
broke new ground in visual effects. We hope to honor its devoted fans with an
exciting new chapter in this great adventure."
Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill said, "It's a real treat to be able to offer our
distribution partners the opportunity to join forces with The Jim Henson Company
as they re-imagine one of the best-loved jewels in their crown."
A Brief Synopsis of the Film... When Jen and Kira welcome a fiery and unexpected
visitor to their castle they learn that the very existence of the U-mun people,
who live in the searing heat of the centre of the earth, is threatened by the
death of their sun. There is apparently only one thing powerful enough to heal
the ailing star - a shard of the Crystal.
The Gelflings flatly refuse the request for a fragment and the desperate visitor
takes matters into her own hands and steals one, making a hasty escape through
tunnels deep in the bowels of the castle. So begins an adventure that will see
love and goodness triumph over evil and re-introduce cinema-goers to a host of
indelible characters including the mystic Ur-sol, Aughra the one-eyed seer, the
evil Skeksis and their crab-like and violent Garthim foot soldiers.
Henson Co. Planning Dark Crystal Sequel
Source:
Variety
The Jim Henson Company is planning
to make a sequel to its 1982 fantasy classic The Dark Crystal, reports Variety.
Titled The Power of the Dark Crystal, the new movie is written by David Odell
(The Dark Crystal, The Muppet Show) and Annette Duffy. No director is yet
attached to the film which starts shooting this fall for a 2007 release. It will
combine live-action animatronic characters with CG animation.
The story is set many years after the original, which was helmed by Frank Oz and
Jim Henson. Original heroes Jen and Kira are now king and queen, and must fight
to save their kingdom when the crystal is once again split.
The company is also developing an animated series, interactive games and other
media as well.
February 10, 2005
Great pictures of early Skeksis
costumes at
!
He was the Associate Costume Designer for the Skeksis!
Toile for the Chamberlain
Many costume
and prop makers made various parts of each of the costumes. The effect was very
eclectic.
The start of
the organic process. The fabrics were spray painted and bleached. I used a fine
scrim to texture the fabric.
Comments from Steven:
I cut all the toile's (fabric
patterns) for the Skesis. The Chamberlain had advanced the most. I worked with
Sarah Bradpiece at Henson's in Hampstead. I was introduced to Duncan Kenworthy
by Vin Burnham. They wanted me to do a 5 day week, but the naval gazing was a
very slow process. I went in one day a week and cut a complete pattern of each
character's costume. My theatrical eye could see possibilities in Brian Froud's
wonderful drawings. The experience of having my work shown to Jim Henson and
Brian Froud, as thought it had been done by our leader, was rather galling. I
thought my involvement had finished and later, whilst on holiday in Germany, I
had a call from Duncan. They wanted me to come back to do the art work on the
costumes. I insisted on a separate workshop to get some kind of control over
this process. Sleeves had been made by one person, a collar by another, it
looked like a jumble sale from the woman's institute. I could see that none had
used an organic approach to the decoration elements. I set about the costumes. I
had makers in tears when they saw what I had done, but Brian Froud loved it.
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This is an unofficial DARK CRYSTAL website. THE DARK CRYSTAL, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of The Jim Henson Company. © 2001. Artwork by Brian Froud. Visit the official website at www.henson.com.
