

This year and the next few are shaping up to be banner years, historically speaking, and I'm not referring to either the economy or the new administration in the White House. First the Watchmen movie, which feels like it's been in the works since before the comic books were published, is about to actually hit the big screen; and now there's word that the even longer-awaited sequel to The Dark Crystal is going to be a reality!

Yes, despite rumors, promises, more rumors, etc., over the years, the blog Muppet News Flash is reporting that there's a script in place and production is beginning to actually, well, be produced. Craig Pearce, the screenwriter of Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet, and Moulin Rouge!, wrote the script for the sequel, which means he's at least competent. The Jim Henson Company is partnering with Omnilab Media to make the film, which should excite fans of the late TV show "Farscape," as that's the same partnership that was behind the show.

The bad news is that the sequel, titled (at least for now) Power of the Dark Crystal, won't be in theaters until 2011, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see that slip a year. So don't make plans to go see it just yet, but keep a little anticipation loop running in the back of your mind, because it looks like it's really going to happen. I figure I've been hoping for a sequel since I was 9 (when the original was in theaters), so I can wait a little bit longer. Now if they can just get Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie together again to make a Labyrinth sequel (either based on the manga or not), I'll be ecstatic. (Incidentally, if you haven't seen the original Dark Crystal since you were a kid, rent or buy the DVD and watch it again. You'll see tons of cool little things you missed when you were young. Trust me.)