When Will Netflix's 'The Dark Crystal' Prequel Be Released?

Soon, a whole new generation of children will be delighted – or terrified, depending on your point of view – by The Dark Crystal. Netflix is making a prequel to the 1982 Jim Henson fantasy film about a nearly extinct race of elf-like creatures who must save their planet from the sinister Skeksis.

The original movie was visually stunning but also dark, and it wasn’t a huge hit at the box office. But it gained a cult following after being released on video. Now, Netflix is taking viewers back to the world of Thra in a story set long before the events of the first film. Here’s what we know so far.

The new series comes out sometime in 2019

The Gelfling Brea in Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance | Netflix

Netflix hasn’t announced a specific release date for the new series, which will be titled The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. But we do know that it will come out sometime in 2019 and that there will be 10 episodes. The show is currently in production in the U.K.

Fans of the original Dark Crystal will be relieved to hear that filmmakers will be using puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop in the show, not relying solely on CGI. Brian Froud, the original conceptual designer for the film, will be working on the new versions of the Gelflings and the Skeksis. Louis Leterrier is directing.

The voice cast is impressive

While a release date hasn’t been set, we do know who will be voicing most of the characters in the new series, and the list is pretty impressive.

Kingsman’s Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy (Thomasin in 2015 horror film The Witch), and Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei in Game of Thrones) will voice the three main Gelfling heroes. They’ll play Rian, Brea, and Deet, respectively.

Catriona Balfe, Helena Bonham-Carter, Natalie Dormer, Eddie Izzard, Mark Strong, and Alicia Vikander are among the other actors voicing Gelfling characters.

The list of actors who’ve signed on to play Skekis and Mystics is equally impressive. Mark Hamill, Jason Isaacs, Keegan-Michael Key, Simon Pegg, and Andy Samberg all have roles.

The voice cast “will provide textures and range to the puppetry performances that are the heart of the series,” said Jim Henson Company CEO Lisa Henson in a statement.

What The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is about

Here’s how Netflix describes The Dark Crystal prequel:

The world of Thra is dying. The Crystal of Truth is at the heart of Thra, a source of untold power. But it is damaged, corrupted by the evil Skeksis, and a sickness spreads across the land. When three Gelfling uncover the horrific truth behind the power of the Skeksis, an adventure unfolds as the fires of rebellion are lit and an epic battle for the planet begins.

Is The Dark Crystal on Netflix?

Sadly, if you want to revisit the world of The Dark Crystal before the new series premieres next year, you won’t be able to do so on Netflix. The movie isn’t on the streaming service. However, it is included with Amazon Prime subscriptions. You can also buy or rent it on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu.

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