Netflix has ordered a 10-episode prequel series to Jim Henson’s 1982 cult favorite The Dark Crystal. The streaming service announced the new project via a teaser trailer, which goes behind the scenes with archival footage of Henson’s Creature Shop as the director, who died in 1990, reflects on his original vision and the work that went into it. The video then shifts to present-day footage of new creatures being designed and brought to life.
Titled Age of Resistance and to be directed by Louis Leterrier (Now You See Me), the series goes into production this fall for a 2018 debut. It will be set years before the events of the original film, returning to the world of Thra with a new storyline and more “fantastical, state-of-the-art creatures” co-created by Brian Froud, who served as conceptual designer on the original film.
In a statement, Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Company, said:
Louis Leterrier is passionate about the world of The Dark Crystal and has an incredible creative vision for the series. He brings this passion to every facet of the production as he leads the talented team of artists and writers that are bringing this entire universe to life.
Netflix has a deep respect for my father’s original work and the many people it inspired. They 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 Jim Henson Company, original creators of characters from The Muppet Show and Sesame Street, has continued to operate in the decades since its co-founding member’s death. Nonetheless, Netflix reviving The Dark Crystal—known for its groundbreaking animatronics and dark undertones—marks a notable return to the cultural spotlight, and if executed correctly, the beginning of a new Age of Wonder.
