Netflix has introduced a little magic into this Wednesday afternoon by announcing that some of Hollywood's best and brightest stars have been added to the cast of THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE, the epic prequel series to Jim Henson's treasured 1982 classic fantasy film "The Dark Crystal."
In addition to revealing the series' new players, Netflix also debuted 30 gorgeous character posters that give us our best look yet at the many denizens of Thra, the enchanted land where our new story takes place.
Helmed by Louis Leterrier (NOW YOU SEE ME, THE INCREDIBLE HULK), and based on Jim Henson's spellbinding 1982 feature film, THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE tells a new and epic story, set many years before the events of the movie, and realized using classic puppetry with cutting edge visual effects. 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.
Alright, now it's time to get to the goods! Members of the newly announced voice cast include: Lena Headey (GAME OF THRONES, DREDD) as Maudra Fara, Benedict Wong (DEADLY CLASS, DOCTOR STRANGE) as The General, Awkwafina (CRAZY RICH ASIANS) as The Collector, Sigourney Weaver (ALIENS, GALAXY QUEST) as The Myth-Speaker, Hannah John-Kamen (ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, KILLJOYS) as Naia, and Dave Goelz (THE DARK CRYSTAL) as Baffi, a Fizgig.
Leading the voice cast are Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nathalie Emmanuel, as Rian, Brea and Deet, three Gelfling heroes. They will be joined by Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter, Harris Dickinson, Natalie Dormer, Eddie Izzard, Theo James, Toby Jones, Shazad Latif, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mark Strong, and Alicia Vikander as other Gelfling kin.
As for the nightmarish Skeksis: Harvey Fierstein, Mark Hamill, Ralph Ineson, Jason Isaacs, Keegan-Michael Key, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Simon Pegg, and Andy Samberg will provide the voices of the main assembly. Meanwhile, Donna Kimball will voice Aughra, with additional characters being voiced by puppeteers from the production, including Alice Dinnean, Louise Gold, Neil Sterenberg and Victor Yerrid as Hup.
Steel yourselves, my friends. It's time to hold onto your butts as we make our journey through today's mesmerizing collection of character posters:
Woof! Are you still with us? I don't know about you, but my body is more than ready for when THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE arrives on Netflix come August 30. I've been a super-fan of Jim Henson's haunting Dark Crystal world for as long as I can remember, and there's nothing that's going to stop me from binge-watching this series over and over again when it lands. Let's go!