You Remind Me Of The Movie. What Movie? Labyrinth 2 Could Actually Happen
Hello nerds!
Much like superheroes, horror movies and the 80s, the creatures from the mind of Jim Henson are becoming a thing again.
In a recent chat with Fandango, director Fede Alvarez said he recently had lunch with Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company, and not only is there a script to the 1986 Jim Henson classic, Labyrinth, but the project is also moving forward. And from the way he talks about it, it definitely sounds like he’s still attached to direct.
“I was actually having lunch yesterday with Lisa Henson and we reconnected with that project. We’re very excited about it. It is basically a direct continuation of the first movie many years later, and I can’t tell you much more about it... but we have a script, and we’re very excited about it so we’ll see where that goes. Like always, it takes time and effort to put those movies together because they’re larger than life. But that’s one of the projects that I’m very excited about.”
Interesting. Labyrinth is about as complete as a film could be, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s not enough unexplored story there for more. On the contrary, the world this film created has lasted in people’s hearts and minds for over 30 years for several reasons.
Labyrinth, directed by Jim Henson, starred David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, who kidnaps the baby brother of Jennifer Connelly's, Sarah. She must then solve the Labyrinth in order to save her brother from being turned into a goblin himself. As you’d expect, the requisite Hensons-esque brand of story takes place and it’s filled with all sorts of fantastic creatures, and a few Bowie tunes. All in all, it’s the dog’s bollocks. So, I’m not entirely sure a sequel could really measure up.
Most importantly, due to the passing of the rock legend himself, there’s not anyone whom they could find to replace David Bowie; musically or otherwise. So, almost automatically the sequel will have that against it. While I realize the same characters don’t have to appear in subsequent sequels for them to be good, how do you go from “Bowie” to “No Bowie”? It can’t be done.
Having said that, I’m still more than a little intrigued by the idea. Especially, given this movie could join the other classic 80s Henson film that’s being revived. For those unfamiliar, Netflix is the home of the Dark Crystal prequel series, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. So, we’ve got that to look forward to.
Which is nice.
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