Netflix is making a Dark Crystal prequel series

Little White Lies

Jim Henson’s beloved puppet-based fantasy epic from 1982, The Dark Crystal, is set for a modern retelling courtesy of nostalgia-mining streaming behemoth Netflix and director Louis Leterrier.

But before you hurl your laptop/portable device against the nearest wall, you might be interested to learn that the intended 10-episode prequel series – subtitled Age of Resistance – is being produced by the Jim Henson Company, whose CEO Lisa Henson has spoken of Netflix’s “deep respect for my father’s original work and the many people it inspired.”

She tells Variety that Netflix are “the perfect partners to create this next epic chapter in The Dark Crystal story for new fans and the loyal fans who have waited so long for more adventures from this world.” The above teaser certainly seems to back that up, using archive footage of Henson himself to remind us of the amazing scope of the original production.

The show will return fans to the mystical world of Thra, as we join an intrepid Gelfling trio on a great quest to discover the terrible secret behind the cruel Skeksis’ power.

Earlier in 2017 it was announced that an update of another classic Henson fable, Labyrinth, is also in the works. We await both projects with equal measures of excitement and trepidation – in this case largely due to the prospect of yet more nightmares featuring our most feared childhood foe.

Published 20 May 2017

Tags: Jim Henson Louis Leterrier Netflix

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