We started developing that prequel world in the YA section, as I said. When did you know you had the right story for the Netflix version? We took the film that we had in development, and we just put it to the side and said, “Let’s start from scratch and be aggressive, and develop a prequel television series.” Netflix was really interested in doing a “Dark Crystal” production like that. The original film takes place in a very dark time in the history of this planet Thra. And this sort of rich tapestry of different kinds of life forms in that world, many of which are gone by the time we meet them in the movie. We realized the much more exciting time period for “The Dark Crystal” world was this prequel period when the seven clans of Gelflings all had their own cultures. This prequel world which is actually much, much richer. But while we were developing that, we were also developing in graphic novels and in young adult novels. They were old, and it was a story that happened in the future. That sequel idea picked up later in their reign, as they were thinking in Queen of Thra.
We had a storyline that extended after Jen and Kira restored the world. We did announce once that we were going to make a feature film sequel to “The Dark Crystal.” And in both cases, it was to be a sequel. Well, I can definitely speak to that, because I was involved with all those different versions. How did this particular version come about?
Over the years, there have been rumors of new movies or other series or other options. You referenced the fact that it has been 35 years since the original film. I don’t know when will be the next time we will be able to do something so amazing. As much as it has felt like an incredibly special experience to make the series, it was 35 years in the making. But quite honestly right now, I can’t think when will be the next time we will be able to work like that. What we’re doing is so unsafe.” But of course, it wasn’t that unsafe at the moment. But when I look at our own footage, and it’s like, “Oh my God. If you see the behind-the-scenes, you can see how two people would be inside of one Skeksis together. It’s actually incredibly fun, the way we bring these characters to life. I can’t even think when would be the next time we would be able to cram dozens of puppeteers together in teeny tiny spaces.
Things are so complicated right now, aren’t they? Before we revisit how it all came together, is there any news on a second season at all? The Playlist: Congratulations on the show. *”Age of Resistance” is a contender in the Outstanding Children’s Program category And are there enough fans to justify the cost of a second season? There is no definitive word from Netflix, but as Henson notes in our conversation below, it’s hard to imagine all of those puppeteers in close, confined spaces in the coronavirus pandemic era. And with director Louis Leterrier at the helm, “Age of Resistance” was a genuine surprise for old and new fans alike. WATCH: “Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” sneak peekįor executive producer Lisa Henson, living up to her legendary father Jim Henson‘s legacy has been a daily calling. And when those characters are puppets? Well, that’s Emmy-worthy.* The long-awaited return to the world of the original 1982 fantasy film “The Dark Crystal”is not only gorgeous and captivating but a rare prequel where you become invested in the characters. If you’re a genre fan – shoot, if you’re a fan of quality television – and skipped watching the Netflix mini-series “Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” you’ve made a very silly mistake.