Scifiwire Movie News (2/01/2006)

Dark Crystal 2
Narnia sequel scouting Ireland
Mr and Mrs Smith as TV?

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Dark Crystal 2

The Jim Henson Co. has set Genndy Tartakovsky to direct Power of the Dark Crystal, sequel to the 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal, Variety reported.

Tartakovsky created the animated TV series hits Samurai Jack, Dexter's Laboratory and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. His Orphanage Animation Studios will take the lead on the computer animation elements for the puppet-driven film, the trade paper reported.

The film becomes a co-production of Henson and the Orphanage. Lisa Henson, co-chief executive officer of the Jim Henson Co., will produce with Orphanage chairman Scott Stewart. Brian Froud has returned to design the new characters.

Set hundreds of years after the first movie, the sequel follows a mysterious girl made of fire who steals a shard of the crystal in hopes of reigniting the dying sun.

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Narnia sequel scouting Ireland

Scouts are checking out locations in Ireland for Prince Caspian, the proposed sequel to Disney's hit fantasy film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the Irish Independent newspaper reported.

Irish film industry chiefs are keeping their fingers crossed that Disney will choose Ireland, the newspaper reported. The first film was shot in New Zealand.

The newspaper reported secret talks with Irish filmmakers who, if the venture goes ahead, would be involved as co-producers of Prince Caspian. An anonymous industry source told the newspaper: "The location scouts have been here for two weeks. They have also been looking at sites in Britain."

The movie is eyeing a fall production start under returning director Andrew Adamson.

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Mr and Mrs Smith as TV?

A TV version of the hit 2005 movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith is among the latest crop of pilot pickups at the broadcast networks, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

ABC has picked up Mr. & Mrs. Smith, based on Doug Liman's film about a married pair of assassins for hire, for midseason 2006-'07 or fall 2007 consideration, the trade paper reported. The movie starred Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Regency TV, a co-venture of the film's producer, New Regency, and Fox TV Studios, will produce the pilot, written and executive-produced by the feature's writer, Simon Kinberg.

Liman and Dave Bartis also are executive-producing through their company, which has changed its name from Hypnotic to Dutch Oven. Liman also is expected to direct, subject to availability.

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