The Golden Compass (film)

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
Directed by	Chris Weitz
Written by	Philip Pullman (novel) Chris Weitz
Produced by	Deborah A. Forte Bill Carraro
Starring	Dakota Blue Richards Nicole Kidman Daniel Craig Eva Green Tom Courtenay Ian McShane Adam Godley
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release dates	November 16, 2007
Running time	Unknown
Language	English
Budget	$150,000,000 USD (est.)

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass is a forthcoming film based upon the first novel in Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials, slated for release in November 2007 by New Line.[1] by New Line Cinema. The movie title reflects the North American title of the novel The Golden Compass, known elsewhere as Northern Lights. The project was announced in February 2002, following the success of other recent adaptations of fantasy epics, and is expected to be New Line's biggest-budget project since The Lord of the Rings at $150 million

Changing directors

Sam Mendes

Initially, Tom Stoppard was engaged as screenwriter for the film, and it was rumoured that Sam Mendes would be directing.

Chris Weitz

It was eventually announced that Chris Weitz would direct. Weitz rejected Stoppard's script, preferring to adapt Pullman's work himself.

In an interview published on the internet in December 2004, Weitz indicated that the film would make no direct mention of religion or of God; two of the key themes of the trilogy - a decision attacked by fans of the novels. Weitz stated that New Line Cinema feared that "perceived antireligiosity" would make the film financially unviable in the US. However, Weitz attempted to reassure fans by saying that religion would appear in euphemistic terms. He also indicated that he believes His Dark Materials is "not an atheistic work, but a highly spiritual and reverent piece of writing"[2].

On December 15, 2004, Weitz announced his resignation as director of the trilogy, citing the enormous technical challenges of the epic, but remained on-board as the screenwriter.

Anand Tucker

On August 9, 2005, it was announced that British director Anand Tucker would take over for Weitz. Tucker is best known for directing the low-budget biopic Hilary and Jackie and producing Girl with a Pearl Earring, and later for directing Shopgirl. Though he is a passionate fan of the books who has pursued the role since the film's conception, Tucker is a relatively unknown director, and was viewed as a surprising appointment to such a big-budget production.

"It is a huge picture, and it is perhaps easy to be overwhelmed by the logistics," Tucker commented, "but at its heart, this is a cracking good story about a reluctant hero. All the effects and scale only work if they're marshalled in service of the story." No word has been given on his plans regarding the role of God and religion in the films.

Philip Pullman expressed his satisfaction at the choice. "He has plenty of very good ideas, and he isn't daunted by the technical challenges. But the best thing from the point of view of all who care about the story is his awareness that it isn't about computer graphics; it isn't about fantastic adventures in amazing-looking worlds; it's about Lyra."

Chris Weitz returns

Tucker also resigned from the project. As of May 2006, Chris Weitz has returned as director. Production is set to begin on 4 September 2006, aiming for an official release date of 16 November 2007.

Filming

Filming began in Oxford and Greenwich during September 2006.

Cast

New Line Cinema announced in June 2006 that 12-year-old Dakota Blue Richards will play the lead role of Lyra Belacqua, in what will be her first feature film.

Nicole Kidman will play Mrs. Coulter. Eva Green will play Serafina Pekkala, a queen of the witches. The armored bear king, Iofur Raknison, will be voiced by Ian McShane. Lyra's daemon, Pantalaimon, will be voiced by Adam Godley. The Olivier Award-winning actress Claire Higgins will play Ma Costa.

It has been confirmed that Daniel Craig will be reunited with Green and Kidman.[3] in the role of Lord Asriel, a ruthless and mysterious adventurer who is the uncle of Lyra Belacqua, the young girl who journeys to a parallel universe to save her best friend.[4]

Author Philip Pullman had previously indicated that he would like to see Kidman and Jason Isaacs play the Mrs Coulter-Lord Asriel couple, along with Samuel L. Jackson as Lee Scoresby, but he has no role in the casting procedure.

Role	Actor	Source
Characters
Lyra Belacqua	Dakota Blue Richards	[5]
Mrs. Coulter	Nicole Kidman	[6]
Lord Asriel	Daniel Craig	[7]
John Faa	Jim Carter	[8]
Farder Coram	Tom Courtenay	[9]
Serafina Pekkala	Eva Green	[10]
Roger Parslow	Ben Walker	[11]
Ma Costa	Claire Higgins	[12]
Master of Jordan College	Jack Shepherd	[13]
Fra Pavel	Simon McBurney	[14]
Iorek Byrnison (voice)	Ian McShane	[15]
Iofur Raknison (voice)	Nonso Anozie	[16]
Pantalaimon (voice)	Adam Godley	[17]
Bolvangar Official	Jason Watkins	[18]

Special effects

On the 26th of July it was announced that the British company Cinesite will be handling the special effects for the movie[19]. Cinesite has done CGI work on such movies as Stormbreaker and V for Vendetta.

Production credits

• Ruth Myers - Costume Designer
• Deborah A. Forte - Producer
• Chris Weitz - Screenwriter, Director
• Paul Weitz - Executive Producer
• Andrew Miano - Executive Producer
• Philip Pullman - Book Author
• Bill Carraro - Producer
• Dennis Gassner - Production Designer
• Mike Fink - Visual Effects Supervisor

External links

• Real Movie News, Movie information and exclusive filming pictures.
• HisDarkMaterials.org, a fansite.
• BridgeToTheStars.net, a fansite.
• His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass at IMDb