This is either the most exciting, or depressing day of my life; If not of my life, definitely of the last 12 minutes.

After taking a look through Sarahnomics, a friend’s blog, I’ve found out that a sequel to the Jim Henson masterpiece, The Dark Crystal, has been green-lit.

While I’m almost always stoked for a sequel (even though, other than the Dark Night and Terminator 2, sequels are almost never even close to as good as the original) this one leaves me with no more emotions than terror.

Firstly, the Dark Crystal is one of the best movies ever made. It’s a beautiful story presented in some of the most spectacular and amazing puppetry ever done. I’ve been telling people to watch this movie my entire life, it’s an all-time favorite of mine for good reason.

Some people would be upset that the sequel will make the original popular, making it less “cool” as an older relatively unknown movie. Unlike people who like to think knowing of something cool, which other’s don’t, somehow makes their lives better, I think this is a good thing. I want as many people to see the original as possible: I like sharing.

The problem I have is this:

The Power of the Dark Crystal is going to be made by the directors of Daybreakers (Peter and Michael Spierig), be a mixture of live-action and puppetry and be shot entirely in 3D.

These forces combined as we have one very clear message: this movie is being made for money.

The original Dark Crystal was written by Henson (a true creative genius… or rampant LCD abuser) and was originally intended to be cut with almost no dialogue at all. The studio decided that he needed to add a full dialogue track along with narration otherwise people wouldn’t go see the movie.

Henson was correct, but the studio had the millions of dollars needed to get the film shot, so the final cut is as we see it today.

The biggest problem I have with the sequel is it will be written based on the final cut of the Dark Crystal original, meaning it will be written based on a movie which was never supposed to be made.

While I will be at the theater on opening day, or close to, to see this sequel (and I guess that’s the whole reason they’re making it) I just can’t help but think it’s going to feel like having my childhood heart ripped out of my chest.

On the plus side, Sarah has pointed out that fantasy artist Brian Froud will reprise his role as conceptual designer of the film.

The plot sounds pretty solid (read it on Sarah’s blog) and we have the original conceptual designer. So this might not be as bad as I fear.

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