Coming squarely amid an era where reboots of beloved animated properties are myriad is the reimagining of another story integral to millions of childhoods, and one slightly darker than your standard Aladdins, Jungle Books and Lion Kings.
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Anticipation is high for “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” the Netflixication of Jim Henson’s beloved 1982 fantasy film that still feels singular in tone and aesthetic—a gateway for children of the ‘80s to the dark side of their imaginations. “The Dark Crystal” never reached the pop culture impact highs of “The Muppets,” but it’s among the ranks of “Treasure Planet” and “Heavy Metal” as an animated film that has achieved a cult following in the 30-plus years since its release.
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A teaser for the 10-episode series released in May provided a glimpse at the ambitious project, which – like the 1982 film – is relying mostly on hand-held puppets to breathe life into Henson’s Gelfling and Skeksis puppets. In an age dominated by digital, the analog ambiance of “The Dark Crystal” should be a treat for the eyes, especially if the footage we’ve seen up to this point is any indication.
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An all-star cast is lending their voices to the series, including Awkwafina (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “The Farewell”), Helena Bonham Carter (“Harry Potter,” “Sweeney Todd”), Natalie Dormer (“Game of Thrones,” “The Hunger Games”) and Taron Egerton (“Rocketman,” “Kingsman”). Lisa Henson, Jim’s daughter, is one of the project’s executive producers, with “The Incredible Hulk” and “Now You See Me” helmer Louis Leterrier in the director’s chair for all 10 episodes.
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The show’s official Netflix synopsis reads as follows:
“In this prequel to the fantasy classic, three young Gelfling inspire a rebellion against the cruel Emperor when they discover a horrifying secret.”
Short, sweet and enough to have us looking forward to August 30, which is when “Age of Resistance” is set to premiere. Expect this show to hit the sweet spot as a vivid and imaginative show for the whole family, and perhaps the perfect entryway for a new generation of fans to discover the fantasy genre’s darker personality.
Check out the new sneak peek clip from Comic-Con below.