Just got home from work to find this in my inbox. I honestly don’t know what to say…
Los Angeles, CA – April 1, 2008
Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Jim Henson Company announced today that they will be reteaming for a return to the Labyrinth. The seminal film, a collaboration between visionaries Jim Henson, George Lucas and David Bowie, will be receiving a “Special Edition” updating in 2009.
“When Jim first told me about the Labyrinth, he described a world filled with strange creatures and fabulous settings. At the time, the best we could do to bring the Labyrinth to life was use puppets and prosthetics,” Producer George Lucas explained. “Now, thanks to breakthroughs in computer technology, we can remove the crude puppet goblins and replace them with lifelike digital creations. Finally we can bring audiences Jim’s vision as he always meant for it to be experienced.”
In addition to new and improved creature effects, viewers of Labyrinth: Special Edition can also look forward to an “enhanced” star. “When we first cast Jenny for the role,” Lucas said, in reference to star Jennifer Connelly, “no one had any idea how hot she would grow up to be.” Connelly, just 14 at the time of filming, has gone one to inspire countless “fan fics” with explicit content that many would find unethical. Using footage from 1991’s The Rocketeer, the digital artists at ILM will ensure that the new Sarah is squarely within the age of consent. “We’ve used CGI to digitally age characters before, but never anything as subtle as turning a 14 year old into an 18-year-old,” Lucas added. “This is groundbreaking stuff.”
Lucas is quick to reassure fans who are worried about a “softening” of the film’s more taboo appeal. “Let’s just say that there’s a ‘Darth Vader’ revelation about Jareth and Sarah that will change the way you view these characters,” Lucas said. “And I’m not talking about Midichlorians.”
Not even Jareth, the “Goblin King” played by pop superstar David Bowie, will remain untouched. Michael Moschen’s contact juggling techniques, which Lucas describes as “cheesy at best,” will be replaced with digital conjuring effects. Said Lucas, “It’s what Jim would have wanted.”
16 responses so far ↓
1 Cristin // Apr 1, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Haha. April Fool’s… Right??
2 Sarah // Apr 1, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Were it not April 1st, I would be rocking back and forth, weeping at the impolitic cruelty of it all.
But, as it is…
April Fools to you too, mister! ^^
3 Mandy // Apr 1, 2008 at 9:39 pm
This had better be an April fools joke you brilliant yet sadistic man!
4 Mandy // Apr 1, 2008 at 9:41 pm
(as I sit here thinking of the re-editing done to ET and Star Wars…)
*Twitch*
I am… now… going to have… Nightmares…
*Twitch*
I’m sending you my therapy bills!
5 Kristi O. // Apr 2, 2008 at 5:50 am
Geez, I always fall for these April Fool’s things for about five seconds, enough time to give me false hope (Then I kept reading and remembered to look at the date)
I wonder if David Bowie would be up for a sequel?
And who else thinks that Puppets beat out CGI models?
6 Sally // Apr 2, 2008 at 8:09 am
thank god! scarred the hell out of me. that is like the 4th april fools joke i fell for
7 tanuki // Apr 2, 2008 at 8:35 am
Heh. I’m coming a day late to this April Fool prank, but I have to say: for pure unadulterated horror, substituting (original casting option) Michael Jackson for Jareth would do the trick. (Cue “Psycho” theme music!)
8 jess // Apr 2, 2008 at 9:25 am
The real news is that Lucas approached Jake about playing Sarah in the sequel. He’s very excited about gowns.
9 Crystal // Apr 2, 2008 at 9:52 am
That was the worst joke I have had in my life! Scared the crap out of me; to remove puppets and to alter the characters is unspeakably evil! I hope Lucas never feels that way about his friend’s work. That was not funny, Mr. Jake Forbes!
10 Helena // Apr 2, 2008 at 11:25 am
Oh, thank goodness this was written on April Fool’s Day. I was about to have a panic attack. I mean, Lucas (bless his heart) is obviously bonkers for CGI; just look at the special editions of the original Star Wars trilogy. I wouldn’t put it past him to frack up perfection … again.
11 Fallen Fairy // Apr 2, 2008 at 6:17 pm
If they could find a way to work in Samuel L. Jackson I might watch it.
Speaking of weird Labyrinth spoofs and recasting of characters, I’m pretty sure there’s a Muppet Babies episode where they re-enact Labyrinth. All I remember is that Gonzo was Hoggle.
12 Mandy // Apr 3, 2008 at 10:24 am
Yes, there’s a Muppet Babies Labyrinth spoof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyQdnYvZilI
which makes it all the more terrible that there are parents out there who think eighties fantasy films are unfit for children…
13 Crystal // Apr 3, 2008 at 11:28 am
Yeah, I remember that one, it was so cute.
14 Fallen Fairy // Apr 6, 2008 at 8:33 am
Thanks Mandy!
Wow- I haven’t seen Muppet Babies in years…*goes into nostalgic stupor*
15 MasonTemplar // Apr 6, 2008 at 11:30 am
The Henson/Lucas synergy spawned many wonderful moments in my youth. Luke Skywalker and Mark Hamil’s visit to the Muppet Show, the Indy, Labyrinth & Star Wars crossovers with Muppet Babbies… I almost feel bad for razzing Lucas on the April 1 posting. We tease because we love. : )
16 Melissa // Apr 27, 2008 at 1:02 am
Sorry, I just had to laugh at Helena’s BSG term, lol. Never thought I’d hear it actually used beyond the series. Kudos to you buddy. Still though, growing up, and being a huge (still) fan of the Labyrinth, I would’ve liked to see a sequel…given that it was produced at the right time…
Leave a Comment