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The Dark Crystal sequel, The Power of the Dark Crystal, on hiatus

Omnilab Media is no longer working with The Jim Henson Company to produce a live-action 3D sequel to 1982 cult classic The Dark Crystal.

In May 2010, Omnilab and the Jim Henson Company unveiled plans to produce The Power of the Dark Crystal. The project, which had been in development for several years, boasted the involvement of the Spierig brothers (Daybreakers) as directors and original fantasy artist Brian Froud as conceptual designer.

However, Omnilab managing director Christopher Mapp told IF Magazine late last year that the project was on hiatus. An Omnilab spokesperson confirmed that the situation had not changed.

“We invested a lot of time and energy into trying to get that property up,” Mapp said. “The Hensons were always an influencer over its direction and we agreed that it would sit for a period of time and we’d talk again sometime in 2012. We hope that we’ll get a chance to give that another breath of life.”

The Power of the Dark Crystal was set to follow 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 centre of the planet.

Last year, Omnilab continued production on another big budget film, Killer Elite, with Clive Owen and Jason Statham. However, the $80 milion film's performance did not meet box office expectations, grossing $US53 million globally. It will be released in Australia on February 23.

The Spierig brothers also moved on to another film, Jungle, which was based on the true story of young Australian Yossi Ghinsberg’s tale of survival, human fortitude and social manipulation after becoming lost in the Amazon jungle. However, that film also encountered funding difficulties, despite being backed by Screen Australia, and remains postponed.

Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.


The Spierig brothers

  1. Grrrrr!!
    This is most frustrating. Finally something to look forward to & some over controlling simpleton is probably holding it back. *SHAKES FIST, THROW’S SHARD*

  2. I’m with Rubein. Moldy mildew mother of mouth muck! Disappointing. My entire family and I were looking forward to this one. I hope we don’t have to wait for three suns to align for it to come out.

  3. *** ARE YOU GUYS SMOKING CRACK?! *** This was one of the most AHEAD OF ITS TIME FLIX in the 80’s period.

    This is July 13,2012 soon to be 2013; look at what our CGI looks like! – – look at what is getting RE-BOOTED & RE-MADE every year!

    This movie would ROCK with a REAL DIRECTOR & VISIONARY onboard this project…. puppets with 2013 cgi SHOOT IN REAL I-MAX 3D & a masterfully theme score by one of the greats………..

    ….. Are you kidding me?! This movie screams $150 million dollar budget …. for a puppet i-max 3D ride of a life time.

    We could get the biggest thrill ride & rush like no other if this was handled right.

    Can you imagine Gen & Kira flying on a creature soaring above the ocean… with a master score behind it?

    Have you guys really grown old & inflexable? This movie simply needs a genius visonary & a huge budget behind it……..

    …… The skeks could be terrifying to look at in 3d cgi & puppet work in the year 2013 or 2014.

    Man I can’t believe how old people get and lose the passion & desire in life to fight and hold on to their dreams……..

    ………The key to Hollywood these days is reboot….which I think sucks….but they are afraid to spend money on anything outside of an ESTABLISHED FRANCHISE

    What you have to do is cater to the old & new with a NEW VISION…..& PAST THEMES & FEELINGS IN THE MOVIE

    HECK….LET THIS GUYS SCRIPT GET MADE….

    http://www.docstoc.com/docs/55632746/POWER-OF-THE-DARK-CRYSTAL-SCREENPLAY

    HE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT

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