If you need your fantasy fix this weekend, then Netflix have you covered. Game of Thrones is a distant memory and the new Lord of the Rings series seems like a lifetime away, but there is an alternative, and it involves puppets.
Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is out on Netflix today, and it doesn't just look great, it has an all-star cast too. Here's everything you need to know about the ten-part fantasy phenomenon.
You'd be excused if you didn't know that the series is a prequel for adventure flick, The Dark Crystal which came out all the way back in 1982.
Advert
Like the original film, the series will be set in the world of Thra.
However, the story itself will be entirely new, following three Gelflings - Rian, Brea and Deet - voiced by Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nathalie Emmanuel.
The Gelfings discover the secret behind the Skeksis' power and set out on an epic adventure to try and start a rebellion and in turn save their world.
Advert
Why puppets?
Leterrier, whose credits include Now You See Me, Clash of the Titans, and The Incredible Hulk, told Entertainment Weekly he was determined to make the TV show honour the '82 film as much as possible, and would use classic puppetry rather than CGI for the characters.
"I was not fighting against anyone, I was fighting against common sense and practicality," he said.
"It's so, so complicated to build a puppet, hire puppeteers, all that stuff. We chose the long, hardest road and we're very thankful [we did]. It looks absolutely stunning."
Advert
Who's the cast?
The star-studded cast includes Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter, Natalie Dormer, Eddie Izzard, Toby Jones, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mark Strong, Alicia Vikander, Mark Hamill, Jason Isaacs, Keegan-Michael Key, Simon Pegg and Andy Samberg. Donna Kimball, a veteran of the Jim Henson Company, will play Aughra - who was voiced by Frank Oz in the film, while several other puppeteers will also voice other characters.
What are people saying?
We took to Twitter to see the latest reaction to the series. #MrCatwoman said:
Advert
I don't even know where to start, the puppetry is amazing,effects are sensational both are blended so seamlessly. so much love for all the characters, massive kudos to the amazing performers et al for such highly emotional performances instant win! #DarkCrystal #AgeofResistance
@TweetacularMatt was so excited to watch it that he betrayed his 'friend' and started it without 'her':
Advert
@Apocalypse_Meow just gave us all a reason to watch it with this succicnct review. Sold.
Finally, @TVWordsmith confirms that the show lives up to the high standards set by the film. They said:
The Dark Crystal has also racked up an impressive IMDB rating - 9.3 out of 10 from 185 reviews.
Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is streaming now on Netflix.
Topics: TV Series, TV and Film, UK Entertainment, US Entertainment, Netflix, Simon Pegg
