‘Labyrinth’ Sequel (Not) In Development [Updated]
The Jim Henson Companyis moving forward with an animated adaptation ofEva Ibbotson’s 1979 bookWhich Witch?, withBilly Crystalco-writing and set to play a role. But that’s not the bit you might be excited to read about. The bit that could get your attention is that, along with that film, The Jim Henson Company is also developing a slate of films tied to properties you might be more invested in already. The big one is that aLabyrinthsequel is in development at the company.Update:Another source says theLabyrinthsequel talk is over-inflated, and not to expect anything to come of it.
This all comes along with talk about the company’s live-action adaptation ofAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which hits theaters this weekend.
Varietyreports on theWhich Witchdevelopments, with Billy Crystal set to co-write, produce, and voice a role in the film.Brian Henson is directing and producing, with Samantha Sprecher and Lisa Henson also acting as producers. The film tells of “a wizard who holds a contest among the seven witches of Todcaster to determine which witch he will marry.”
Crystal joked aboutMonsters Incwhen talking aboutWhich Witch:
When Brian Henson called me about it, I didn’t know the book. But it’s a fantastic story, and I brought in a wonderful writer, Michael Feldman, and we’ve written a terrific and inventive script. I’ll play a character as well, which will be great fun because he actually has two eyes.
Information on theLabyrinthsequel is almost non-existent beyond the mention of its development. Variety mentions a broadening feature slate that is in the works at Henson, with theFraggle Rockmovie continuing to move forward at New Regency, renewed development on theDark Crystalsequel, and the sequel toLabyrinth.
That means we don’t know anything about casting (David Bowie, above, probably won’t be back) much less the story or likelihood of the film coming to fruition.
In addition, Henson has the rights to Arnold Lobel’sFrog and Toad, and is developinga movie based on Emmet Otter, who first starred in a Henson TV special in 1977.
Update:EWhas an anonymous source saying that, yes, people at The Jim Henson Company often talk about doing aLabyrinthsequel but that nothing ever comes of it. The site says “there are currently no plans to reboot, revive, or make a sequel toLabyrinth. It’s one of those legacy titles that is floated at most meetings, but, sadly, nothing is actually in development at the moment.”
