Magic: The Gathering continues to expand beyond the tabletop with an unexpected and imaginative collaboration. Wizards of the Coast has revealed a new puppet short for Lorwyn Eclipsed, created in partnership with the legendary Jim Henson Company. The project brings one of Magic’s most beloved and whimsical planes to life using handcrafted puppetry, blending fantasy storytelling with a classic practical art form rarely seen in modern game-related media.
Lorwyn Eclipsed revisits the Lorwyn plane, a fan-favorite setting known for its fairy-tale tone, vibrant colors, and eccentric characters. Unlike darker Magic worlds such as Innistrad or New Phyrexia, Lorwyn has long stood out for its playful folklore aesthetic. The puppet short leans heavily into that identity, presenting the world through expressive physical performances rather than traditional animation or CGI.
The Jim Henson Company, renowned for its work on The Muppets, The Dark Crystal, and Labyrinth, brings decades of puppetry expertise to the collaboration. The short features detailed puppet characters inspired by Lorwyn’s races and creatures, including fae-like beings and mischievous woodland folk. Practical sets, textured materials, and subtle hand-driven movements give the world a tangible, storybook quality that feels distinct from typical game trailers.
According to Wizards of the Coast, the goal of the project is not to retell Magic’s lore directly, but to evoke the spirit of Lorwyn and invite both longtime fans and newcomers into its atmosphere. Rather than focusing on card mechanics or competitive play, the short emphasizes mood, character, and worldbuilding. It serves as a creative companion piece to Lorwyn Eclipsed, reinforcing Magic’s identity as a storytelling universe as much as a card game.
The collaboration also highlights Magic’s broader strategy of experimenting with new forms of media. In recent years, the franchise has expanded through novels, animated projects, and cross-media partnerships, reflecting its evolution into a multimedia brand. Working with the Jim Henson Company represents a deliberate move toward artistry and craftsmanship, favoring physical performance over purely digital presentation.
Fan reaction has been largely positive, with many praising the unexpected format and the nostalgic charm of puppetry. For longtime Magic players, the short feels like a celebration of Lorwyn’s lighter tone, while newer audiences may see it as an accessible entry point into Magic’s vast multiverse. The project has also sparked discussions about whether future Magic settings could receive similar experimental treatments.
While Wizards of the Coast has not announced additional puppet shorts, the success of Lorwyn Eclipsed suggests that Magic’s creative team is open to unconventional storytelling methods. In an industry dominated by trailers and cinematic teasers, the Jim Henson Company collaboration stands out as a reminder that practical artistry still has a powerful place in modern entertainment.
With Lorwyn Eclipsed, Magic: The Gathering once again proves that its worlds can thrive far beyond the card table—sometimes with felt, foam, and a little bit of enchantment.
