And the Fans Scream On

[puppetmaker]

I read this morning on Muppet Central that the Dark Crystal sequel will be going direct to DVD. Personally I am glad that they are making it and will pick it up on DVD probably the first day that it is released to stores. This project was first announced back in 2005 and has a long and rocky road to this point.

Now I have already seen, on the release of this news, some of the more fanatic fans for the Dark Crystal series already start to dismiss the sequel because it is not being released on the Big Screen so there must be something wrong with it. They feel "betrayed" because the PTB couldn't get into the theaters and are cutting a deal for direct-to-DVD which makes it less worth. And of course we hear the cry "Well Jim wouldn't have done that. He would have found a way to get it into movie theaters."

Bull I say. The direct format didn't really exist 20 years ago. Video Tapes were just ramping up to be direct sales rather than just rentals and DVD technology was R&D at best. Jim was pretty good at seeing the potential for various formats to deliver entertainment and tended to be on the cutting edge of such things. These "fans" also forget that in terms of dollars both Dark Crystal and Labyrinth didn't do that well in the theaters. Where these films picked up speed and became cult classics were in the secondary markets. And so they are going directly to that market and passing up the chance to get slammed at the box office yet again, which might hurt their potential DVD sales.

The Fraggle Rock fans are now biting their nails that the Fraggle film will also go direct to DVD. Might I remind them that the Fraggles were one heck of an experiment in television since it was one of the first made for cable children's shows? No? I didn't think so. The Fraggles have never been on the big screen and there is a reason for it. They were built for the small screen (which has gotten bigger since they started). They would have to revamp how they made a number of the puppets just so the puppets wouldn't look awful on the large screen. So they won't look like the Fraggles you saw on TV and therefore the fans are going to complain about them.

I swear that if you gave a fan everything they wanted in a film or TV show, they would then complain that that was not what they wanted and explain how you got it all wrong and could improve on it.

I am grateful that there will be new Dark Crystal and Fraggle Rock in my future no matter what the format.

Comments

[kithan.livejournal.com]

I introduced Lili to Labyrinth on New Years Day. She's already got the "You remind me of the babe.." part down. :)

I saw, at Half Price books, a collector's edition version of The Dark Crystal. I think I will swing out there on Saturday and pick that up for our next movie viewing.

I'm gonna turn that girl into a geek if it kills me. :)

Also, I don't have a problem at all with direct-to-DVD movies. The way I see it.. then I only have to pay for it once and I can watch it as much as I want.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Thank You! You said something I was skirting about the whole thing. Once you own it, you can watch it a) On your schedule and b) as many times as you want.

[crystalsage.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this...I get so sick of people picking at and panning things that they haven't even seen yet. As you said, there are always going to be people out there that no matter what you give them, they're not satisfied, and never will be. I say, if you don't like it, don't buy it, ya know. More for the rest of us. :)

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Yep *grin*

[hazelrah1.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to both and will take them anyway I can get them. Both played a huge part in my childhood.
~Mel

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Mine too.....Well I think I am a little older than you so young adult hood *grin*

But still they made a lasting impression.

[mythandwonder.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this! I'm personally psyched that there is a Dark Crystal sequel at all. Do you know when the DVD will be available?

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

It looks like it is currently slated for late 2008 early 2009. I think they are shooting for the holiday buying season.

[amarafox.livejournal.com]

Someone I know posted a link to an article about how you're not a real Star Wars fan if you don't hate StarW ars and think you personally could have done better.

Funny how the sheer negativity is what drove me to the fringes of the fandom in the first place is still prevalent. There were so many people chiming in and agreeing.

I can't wait to see Fraggle Rock and the new Dark Crystal thing :D

[blackrosebard.livejournal.com]

I'm still scrimping to get the anniversary editions of TDC and Labyrinth on DVD....but will be first in line at my store to buy the new movie when it comes out as well. I prefer Direct to DVD release, because between sitting issues and cost of theater...that movie at home is far more enjoyable.

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I hope you never write a sequel to this post and release it straight to Myspace... this original post is FAR superior.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

This is just awesome.

You do the big picture so well.

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

I'm grateful for that as well. I've recently picked up Labyrinth on DVD, and watched it in Japanese with English subtitles. The goblins sound far more menacing. I've been lucky to read the first two volumes of Return to the Labyrinth. The Dark Crystal and Fraggle Rock were also childhood faves of mine, and I remember being amazed by the puppeteers and crew, and wanting to be involved in stage production.

[lordrexfear.livejournal.com]

Personally I want a Labyrinth sequel. The Tokyopop book is fun, but kinda eh... I wish I hadn't started on it, because I feel like I have to finish it. It's missing the charm of the real David.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

Funny thing is about year (maybe 2) ago a buddy of mine was working some charity event in New York that his company sponsors and Iman and Bowie were there. He got to talk to both of them for a while and told Bowie that he loved Jareth. Bowie said that he did too and wish he could revisit the character sometimes in the future. Now this was Bowie talking at a function so I think it was more a wistful wish than him stating he wants to play Jareth again but I was happy that he did have fond memories of the character.