Netflix has announced a 10-part prequel series to Jim Henson’s cult fantasy film The Dark Crystal.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance will start shooting this fall, using creatures made by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and Brian Froud, the conceptual designer who worked on the original 1982 film.
The adventure will return to the world of Thra as three Gelfling set out on a journey to save their world from the evil Skeksis. The series will be directed and executive produced by film-maker Louis Leterrier, whose credits include The Incredible Hulk and Now You See Me.
An initial teaser trailer reminds viewers that for Henson, the original film was “the hardest thing” he’s ever worked on. It had a $15m budget but at the time, it failed to find an audience making just $40m at the box office, deemed a failure given the expectations behind it. Reviews were initially mixed but it went on to become a cult favorite with a sequel announced in 2006 only to be shelved later.
It’s the latest attempt from Netflix to bring back a much-loved cult project and follows news this week that they will bring back Arrested Development for another season. It also joins the Julie Andrews-starring kids show Julie’s Greenroom that also utilizes Jim Henson puppets.
