His Dark Materials: Next big project from New Line after LOTR is over?...

[JCPhoenix]

I'm a big fan of the trilogy by Philip Pullman (Golden Compass, Subtle Knife, Amber Spyglass) and last year, February 6, New Line bought the rights to this amazing fantasy/sci-fi trilogy...

It IS the best fantasy trilogy I have ever read (including series like Robert Jordan's, Terry Goodkind's, Terry Brook's, Weis & Hickman's on and on), and is quite complex....

It could turn out to be a bit controversial on screen as the last novel in the trilogy (and even the 2nd and a bit in the 1st if i remember correctly) deal with religion...in maybe not the best light.

In case you don't know a bit more, what I've heard is that it will be released 2004 (which incidentally is the 1st year without their big tentpole LOTR movie to release) and Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love) is adapting it. Make no mistake, despite these books appearing on the "teen" section of many bookstores, this trilogy is one of the more complex pieces ever written in fantasy.

However, what I'm wondering is if this is their next BIG project? It seems so (and I'm hoping so) especially in light of the fact that this would previously have been hard to adapt, and it certainly is an epic in every sense of the word...as well, New Line has said they would like to start work on this after Return of the King is released, so I'm thinking that this might be their tentpole release in 2004 or 5?

Wuddya'll think...

And btw, CHECK OUT THE BOOKS IF U HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO...
http://www.3gaga.com/cms/SF/covers/golden-compass.jpg

[JCPhoenix]

Oh, and here's what theonering.net had to say about it as well (i know this is all old, but since i don't recall seeing anything wutsoever about these adaptations on this messageboard back then, here ya go):


"There's an article here on EmpireOnline that says that the playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard is in negotiations with New Line to write the screenplay for "His Dark Materials," the fantasy trilogy by Philip Pullman. This is great news for fantasy fans.

So, it seems that New Line is committing itself to intelligent fantasy - a genre that has barely existed up until now and least of all within the major movie production houses. Is the success of Peter Jackson's version of The Lord of the Rings the reason for this sudden faith in the intelligence of fantasy-loving audiences? New Line is not alone in this - the Sci-fi channel engaged LOTR screenwriter Philippa Boyens to turn Ursula Le Guin's first three "Earthsea" books into a screenplay.

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is a great story and in my opinion it's destined to be a fantasy classic - well, you can read what I think about it in the Tehanu's Note about it. It's also a controversial book, and I'd be interested to see if the film-makers try to tone down some of the philosophy in it. Their interest in Tom Stoppard for the screenplay seems to suggest that they are not. Apart from his witty lighter works like the "Shakespeare in Love" screenplay or his famous riff on Hamlet, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," Stoppard has written a number of plays centring on tough ethical and philosophical issues, such as "Arcadia," "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, and "Professional Foul." These are plays about scientists, philosophers, and political dissidents. It's hard to imagine Stoppard taking an intelligent book like Pullman's and dumbing it down into mere eye-candy. "

[Arathon]

Sounds good. I might go pop down the library tomorrow and see if its on the shelves so I can read it.

[quoth_the_raven]

actually i thought this trilogy was boringly average. i am not sure its gonna be interesting movie material


who knows, the movie may be better than the book...

[Moviefan1234]

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven



who knows, the movie may be better than the book...

That's how it usually is (in my opinon). But, I don't know. New Line should wait a few years and not tackle another big fantasy epic right away.

[quoth_the_raven]

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
That's how it usually is (in my opinon). But, I don't know. New Line should wait a few years and not tackle another big fantasy epic right away.


no normally the book is better imo. although, lord of the rings is one of my fave books and i do think the movie version is better )the fanboys are gonna kill me now...)

[JCPhoenix]

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven
no normally the book is better imo. although, lord of the rings is one of my fave books and i do think the movie version is better )the fanboys are gonna kill me now...)

Well, every person to his/her own I guess...

I loved these books, but that's my opinion...

And fans of the book are REALLY gonna kill me now when I say I didn't really think the LOTR books were very good...I thought they were rather boring...(and yes, I thought the movies were a lot better)...LOTR has a good plot, but Tolkien is way longwinded...there's an article in the Ottawa Citizen here from about a month ago, and it stated my opinion perfectly.

[xirtam]

I loved this book, I thought that at times it was much better than Harry Potter. I also thought it was interesting that the books got more mature as they got along.

The first one is the lightest of them all, and is pretty fun to read. The second one is much more exciting--it has cliffhanger after cliffhanger and made me want to read the whole book in one sitting (I didn't). It is also surprisingly violent--main characters get hurt badly, and other main characters die. New characters are also introduced, and it is sometimes hard to keep up with everyone, but that will be easier on screen. The third one is also pretty violent, and dark at times, and all the switching between the different storylines keeps you on edge and keeps you wondering what's going to happen next. It's also more mature, not in violence but in, ahem, that other way...it's also the most dramatic. I was a little dissatisfied with the way it ended, but it's still good.

I'm not sure how they would translate to the screen--especially the daemons would be hard to show, and would involve a lot of computer animation. I think the best way to do this movie would be if it was completely computer animated, but in a real way, like Final Fantasy--this could be the breakthrough in animation that Final Fantasy was meant to be but wasn't completely. Of course, then we would have to wait like 10 years until they all come out.

Anyway, I would love to see this as a movie. If it's not true that it's being made into a movie, I'm not that dissappointed, but if it is true, then I can't wait.

[quoth_the_raven]

Originally posted by xirtam


I'm not sure how they would translate to the screen--especially the daemons would be hard to show, and would involve a lot of computer animation. I think the best way to do this movie would be if it was completely computer animated, but in a real way, like Final Fantasy-- .



another computer animated movie?

erk, final fantasy did suck huge amount of buttock.

so id rather see something a bit more real :) and daemons...well if they can animate a decently realistic Balrog...a small monkey/cat/animal of some description wont be hard...

[xirtam]

Actually, Balrog and Gollum and everything in LOTR looked real because they're fictional creatures--a real animal, something that people know how it should look, would be much harder, not to mention people.

[JCPhoenix]

Noo...seems like Ratner is really determined to do this project, here's hoping one of the other 3 directors in contention get it (Sam Mendes [American Beauty],Terry Gilliam [Brazil], Stephen Daldry [The Hours])

From Darkhorizons.com (Conversation with Brett Ratner)
"I just got the script for Rush Hour 3 today [June 3, 2003], so I’m going to read it tonight after I leave here and if it’s good, I’m going to do that. If not, I’ve got a few other movies that I’m trying to decide which one I’m going to do. I’d love to do Dark Materials. I’m begging for Dark Materials. It’s just a hard thing to tackle because it’s so much. It’s three great books. We’re trying to figure it out. Samurai Jack, we’re just developing the script. I love the script to Be Cool, which I’m not doing, but I’m interested in. I love it. I don't know, there’s so much good stuff around"

Though who knows, maybe since he's so passionate to do it he'll actually do it well?...

[vtadave]

Do these books come across as anti- a particular religion, anti-religion in General, pro-religion, etc???

[JCPhoenix]

Originally posted by vtadave
Do these books come across as anti- a particular religion, anti-religion in General, pro-religion, etc???

you could say the books are in a way anti-Catholicism tho it seems more like he just hates how much bad stuff people do for religion...so I couldn't really say for sure...

but i love them all the same (i'm Catholic)

in any case, they're quite controversial

[Regalia]

I want to see His Dark Materials made into a series of movies! I mean, this book is so well constructed and intelligent that it succeeds on the basis of character interaction and sheer depth of philosophy, as well as incredible action when it is neccessary! I can't wait to see the witch queens in flight, the armoured bears, the shape-shifting daemons and the Assemblies of the church!!!
A movie version of the trilogy would have to be grand, impressive and gorgeous, with some very talented actors! They'll need someone special for Lyra, I'm not quite sure who they could pick, and Will could be a tad problematic - but thankfully the other children's roles are quite small! AND all the animals in the film are computer generated - so hey, we can dispel the "no children or animals" theory for all the major Hollywood actors in the other roles! yay!
Lets see this go ahead! I have nothing against Harry Potter, but the HP series hardly depends on intelligence or depth. It does exactly what it says on the tin, it entertains and pleases - but on a very light level. I want to see a fantasy series come out aside from Lord of the Rings that is gorgeous, deep and wonderful!
I just worry that maybe this might go over the head of a lot of people???!!!!

[quoth_the_raven]

am i the only person who found his dark materials to be rather dull and a bit shallow then? its nothing personal...but i just felt so much more could have been done with the series. i certainly never thought they would be good enough material for a movie...

not that it really matters. my girlfriend enjoyed the novels a lot, and will therefore force me to watch the movies when they arrive :(

[JCPhoenix]

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven
am i the only person who found his dark materials to be rather dull and a bit shallow then? its nothing personal...but i just felt so much more could have been done with the series. i certainly never thought they would be good enough material for a movie...

not that it really matters. my girlfriend enjoyed the novels a lot, and will therefore force me to watch the movies when they arrive :(

heheheh, goood, i hope your girlfriend does everything in her power to drag you to see these movies! :D

but hey, even if you didn't like the books, perhaps you might like the movies? I'm going to get flamed for this (most likely) but I thought the LotR books were quite dull, boring, and badly sprawling. Tolkien went overboard with the descriptions of hills, etc, pointless encounters like the Tom Bombadil sequence, and a storyline that was essentially a road trip for the first book anyway. (I liked the second and third more)...i was surprised and soo happy when i saw an article in the Ottawa Citizen recently when TTT came out talking about this...the staff studied the books and concluded the same thing I did...but i have nothing against Tolkien, i mean, it's not like he actually wrote it for others to read, he never meant to publish them when he first wrote them so...

At the same time, i liked the movies a lot more, they (so far) transfered well to the screen (i mean, a movie you don't have to describe hills, you just show them) (FotR-7/10, TTT-9/10)

And I'm hoping the movie Cold Mountain will be amazing, because the book was a solid read, but not a great read for me, but I think the movie might be able to pull it off...

ok now, LoTR fans, come out and flame me! ;)

[quoth_the_raven]

Originally posted by JCPhoenix
heheheh, goood, i hope your girlfriend does everything in her power to drag you to see these movies! :D

but hey, even if you didn't like the books, perhaps you might like the movies? I'm going to get flamed for this (most likely) but I thought the LotR books were quite dull, boring, and badly sprawling. Tolkien went overboard with the descriptions of hills, etc, pointless encounters like the Tom Bombadil sequence, and a storyline that was essentially a road trip for the first book anyway. (I liked the second and third more)...i was surprised and soo happy when i saw an article in the Ottawa Citizen recently when TTT came out talking about this...the staff studied the books and concluded the same thing I did...but i have nothing against Tolkien, i mean, it's not like he actually wrote it for others to read, he never meant to publish them when he first wrote them so...

ok now, LoTR fans, come out and flame me! ;)



actually, she will do. there are certain things she can take away unless i co-operate fully ;)

as for dark materials, i will go see the movies, as i think i stated above, out of a sense of curiousity. they may just be better than the books, in fact in my opinion, i dont think its possible they could be any worse.

LOTR- i said this above as well, that LOTR is probably my favourite book of all time. but as a tolkien fan, i have to admit, the movies are a lot better. and thats not because i am too lazy to read the books (as anyone who frequents the books forum will know, i read a lot!) , i think it captures the essence of the novels so perfectly...

so dont worry Phoenix, i will stand with you against the tolkien fanboys...;)

[JCPhoenix]

after months of dead silence on this project, joblo has the story on the front page that one of the Weitz Bros (About a Boy, American Pie) have taken up this project:

"While his brother Paul is off directing SYNERGY with Dennis Quaid, Topher Grace and Scarlett Johansson, Chris Weitz (AMERICAN PIE, ABOUT A BOY) will direct the first film in the HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy. Weitz will direct THE GOLDEN COMPASS, the first book by Philip Pullman, with a script by Tom Stoppard (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE). Numerous directors were considered for the high-profile directing gig but Weitz won the job with an impassioned plea and a long dissertation on how he envisioned the project presented to Stoppard, New Line execs and Pullman. The were impressed by his take on the material and he got the gig. As part of the deal, Weitz will also take a pass at Stoppard's script. COMPASS follows 11-year-old Lyra Belacqua, an English orphan who exists in a parallel universe of sorts with creatures like a Pantalaimon. When Lyra prevents an assassination attempt on her uncle Lord Asriel it sets in motion a chain of events that are way too complicated to get into here. Two books follow COMPASS in the series, THE SUBTLE COMPASS and THE AMBER SPYGLASS, but New Line isn't taking any LOTR-type gambles with this production. The follow-up books could be combined into one film to save money or, depending on the success of the first film, could get the full trilogy treatment. Despite their separate projects, the Weitz brothers still plan to work together once the finish SYNERGY and THE GOLDEN COMPASS."

some of those details were wrong (Pantalaimon is not a type of creature, daemon is the type of creature, Pan is the name of Lyra's daemon) but that's pretty much the bare basics in the article for the storyline.

Well this is great news on one hand because it means it's finally happening, but on the other hand, I'm sort of disappointed that none of the originally rumored directors are in on this anymore (people like sam mendes, stephen daldry, terry gilliam, brett ratner and terry jones were all rumored to be on this project at one point or another). Weitz has done a bunch of movies I really enjoy (About A Boy 8/10, American Pie 8/10), but he just seems wrong for this part. Then again, that's just because he's done all comedy so far. Hopefully he'll be able to do a good job here. The good thing is he has to be enthusiastic about this project as can be seen from the above article - which is a great thing because it means he'll be trying to make it the best movie it could possibly be.

But I can't wait for this film now! Though I wish they filmed it like LotR...this way, if the film fails (and i think there's a good chance of that), we might never get the second and third parts on screen! Not to mention the fact that the first book ends in a cliffhanger/open ending...

[quoth_the_raven]

i still stand by my earlier statements that making these literary turd-burgers into a movie is a bad idea...

;)

[chinton]

Hopefully they will clean up the convoluted nature of the very dissapointing Amber Spyglass. To me ther series junmps off the tracks at the end of book 2

[DareDevil]

hmm could be intresting, depends who is casted though, i hope this trend in hollywood ends, giving people who do smaller films in diffrent genres big blockbusters, i really dont like it and it worries me.

[Reigh Kaufman]

I literally just finished Amber Spyglass and now I'm thinking: make this fucking trio of books into a trilogy NOW!. I usually hate these kind of things (I detested LOTR and Harry Potter- go figure), but this has so much potential it is scary. I'll run it up the flagpole.

[panama_jack]

I have read the trilogy and loved it.
I hope they adapt the stories to the screen.
The bear kicks ass!

[dellamorte dellamore]

Still waiting for the Xanth novels by Piers Anthony to make it to the big screen . Wait , they already have , in the diluted version called Harry Potter .

[JCPhoenix]

Well, it's been a long time since I made this thread...

Since the last time I updated this, Weitz left the project, Anand Tucker came onto the project and then proceeded to leave and now Weitz is back on it...

But finally! Some new news about the movie courtesy of Dark Horizons...looks like it's FINALLY happening, and it's nice to see Pullman has some influence or say it seems on the set...

New Line Cinema has officially greenlit production on The Golden Compass, the highly anticipated adaptation of the first of author Philip Pullman's bestselling "His Dark Materials" trilogy, it was announced today by New Line's Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. Production on the $150 million-budgeted film is scheduled to begin September 4 in the UK, with Oscar-nominated writer/director Chris Weitz (About a Boy, Antz) at the helm.

"'The Golden Compass' is the most ambitious film that New Line has undertaken since 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, and we have assembled a remarkable creative team, headed by Chris Weitz, to bring it to fruition," commented New Line's Shaye and Lynne.

Newcomer Dakota Blue Richards has been cast in the lead role of Lyra Belacqua. Richards landed the role after filmmakers conducted an extensive casting search throughout England, during which they saw more than 10,000 young girls. Open calls were held in Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, and Kendal, before Richards was chosen from the Cambridge call for an audition and subsequent screen test.

"Dakota made what should have been an extremely difficult decision quite easy," says writer/director Weitz. "We wanted a completely new face for Lyra, but I was surprised that any young girl, especially one without training, could light up the screen as Dakota does."

Pullman adds, "I'm delighted with the casting of Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra. As soon as I saw Dakota's screen test, I realized that the search was over. Dakota has just the combination of qualities that make up the complicated character of this girl, and I very much look forward to seeing the film take shape, with Dakota's Lyra at the heart of it."

Helping to bring The Golden Compass to the big screen will be an all-star production team that includes Oscar-winning production designer Dennis Gassner (Road to Perdition, Big Fish), Oscar-nominated costume designer Ruth Myers (L.A. Confidential, Emma), and Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Mike Fink (X-Men, X2: X-Men United, Road to Perdition).

The Golden Compass, is being produced by Deborah Forte of Scholastic Entertainment and Weitz's Depth of Field production company. Paul Weitz (an Oscar nominee for About a Boy) and Andrew Miano will serve as executive producers on the film. Bill Carraro will also serve as a producer on the film.

Based on the bestselling and award-winning Pullman novels, the "His Dark Materials" trilogy is comprised of "The Golden Compass," "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass." It revolves around a young girl who travels to the far north to save her best friend. Along the way, she encounters shape-shifting creatures, witches, and a variety of otherworldly characters in parallel universes.

While I would've again, preferred Gilliam or Mendes, Weitz will have to do...I just hope he shows some major style for this movie. The production team at least sounds great...I can't wait for this movie...

[Monotreme]

I just read this news earlier today, and I am absolutely thrilled. This is my favourite modern fantasy novel series, I think these books are nothing short of amazing and they are definitely EXTREMELY cinematic. Judging by their work on the Lord of the Rings, I really hope that New Line won't botch up the special effects, as they'll need quite a lot to really bring the world to life - one of the main flaws of the Chronicles of Narnia was that its effects were a bit... iffy. Too... artificial. If The Golden Compass looks anything like the LOTR movies, it'll be amazing - and there's no chance that it'll be a copy or a ripoff, both stories are completely different in scale, themes, characters, setting, and just about everything.

I absolutely can't wait to see this. I also can't wait to hear some more casting announcements, namely for Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel.

[JCPhoenix]

Originally posted by Monotreme
I absolutely can't wait to see this. I also can't wait to hear some more casting announcements, namely for Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel.

Indeed - Kidman is/was Pullman's first choice and she'd certainly be my first choice for Mrs. Coulter (I always pictured her as a tall, sort of "cold but elegant" blonde) but of course there's several other actresses who could probably pull off that "cold but elegant" type thing - I'm thinking Catherine Zeta-Jones would be able to do it too. Ditto with Monica Bellucci...

[Monotreme]

Nicole Kidman would be my personal choice, but I'd be happy with any of the other middle-aged actresses working today - It would be interesting to see Naomi Watts play a bad character, for example. Actually, the more I think of it, the more I can see Watts as Serafina - dye her hair black and make it long and tangly, and you have it. For Lee I'm hoping someone like Harrison Ford, except he's too old. Someone really scruffy, like Billy Bob Thornton. And for Lord Asriel it has to be someone with tons of screen presence: someone like Jason Isaacs or Jeremy Irons.

[Mystique963]

I too would like to share my excitement that this project is moving again. I really want to see a picture of Dakota, but that would be difficult since she's an unknown. I have been slightly obsessed over the series being made into a movie since I read it about 4 years ago.

My personal preferences for Lord Astrial is Jason Issacs. The man is a brilliant actor and I love the presence that he brings to the screen. I like the idea of Rachel Weistz playing Mrs. Coulter. I always saw her as younger than middle aged in my head, but Nicole Kidman would do the role justice.

As for Lee, I'm pulling for Nathan Fillion from Serenity. I think he's got the personality and the look for it.

As for the witches, I want to play the role of Serafina. I'm a 22 yr old, 6'2", 150 lbs, decently attractive female and I would love for Chris Weitz to call me about the role. Oh wait, I'm not an actress... Oh well. Until then, I wouldn't mind Naomi Watts but I think she's a little old for the part. Maybe someone like Jordana Brewster or Natalie Portman.

I need to re-read the books so I can get a better idea of the charactors again. We should be getting some more casting decisions here soon.

[Shockwave]

If this gets made the world will explode since its one of the signs of the apocalypse.:p

..but really, im glad to see its moving forward. If done right, this could be most exellent.

[JCPhoenix]

Did anyone read the front page JoBlo today?

According to the folks at IGN, the rumor is actually true as
Kidman is now confirmed to be starring as the villainous Mrs. Coulter. They further report that Paul Bettany will also likely join the cast as Lord Asriel with British soap actress Claire Higgins also in negotiations.

YES, YES, YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The most perfect and obvious casting in the past decade. Seriously, there is no one more suitable than Kidman for this role.

Isaacs would've been brilliant for Lord Asriel (Ralph Fiennes or Liam Neeson also) but Bettany will probably do a decent job. Was still hoping for someone with a little more gravitas but the Kidman casting just made my day so I don't really mind at this point. Just as long as Kidman stays on this project...

[Mystique963]

I'm sorry, I think I just had a stroke...

Kidman I can handle, but Bettany as Astrial over Issacs? I thought Issacs was a sure for the part. Bettany isn't old enough for one thing, in my opinion. Oh well, they are both great actors so I guess it's not too bad. Thanks for the update Phoenix!!!

I really want to know who they're casting for Serafina and Lee. Is that what this Higgins person might be in talks for?

[Monotreme]

OhmygodohmygodOHMYGOD!!!!!!! Nicole Kidman has been cast. I can't believe it. That's the best news EVER. I hope this is legitimate, because if it is, that's just... so cool... so cool...!!!

Paul Bettany... he's a good actor, but I've always imagined Lord Asriel to be much older than Bettany. Someone like Jason Isaacs or Jeremy Irons. Still, I trust Bettany and hopefully he will deliver a good performance with tons of screen presence, as expected from the character.

[JCPhoenix]

So I was reading over some random IMDb links today and I came across this article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/27/AR2006072700439.html

One particular sentence popped out at me:

"Other upcoming projects include playing a cop to Renee Zellweger's social worker in "Case 39," a "kind of a sort of an 'Omen'-ish kind of freaky, psychedelic horror story," according to McShane. He'll also eventually be seen -- or rather heard, in voice-over form -- in "Shrek the Third," "Kung Fu Panda" and "His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass," Chris Weitz's "huge" live-action/animated adaptation of the Carnegie Medal-winning children's book.

So it looks like Ian McShane (Deadwood, Scoop, Sexy Beast) is in...the question is, what role is he playing? Though the reviewer called it a live action/animated adaptation (which is really fucking confusing), I'm betting that he's going to be voicing Iorek (the polar bear king)...it just seems to make the most sense, especially since he said he'd be heard, not seen...

[JCPhoenix]

OMFG the casting news just gets better and better...

EVA GREEN is up for the role of Serafina ...

http://aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=24045

So now the cast looks like it's Paul Bettany, Nicole Kidman, Ian McShane, and Eva Green so far (and a newcomer for Lyra)...looking damn good...

[Monotreme]

I was sold with Nicole, she's my second favourite actress (after Kate :)). Any other casting additions are merely bonuses on my part. That said, Eva Green is SMOKING hot, as Serafina should be. Sounds good to me!

[chinton]

Maybe Ill try the books again. I remeber loving the first book and enjoyed the second one but felt it got too confusing towards the end. The third I stopped reading it was so dull and convoluted.

[Monotreme]

I found the first to definitely be the best of the three, but the books work admirably well as a trilogy, and while the third is certainly the most unconventional of them all, I still found it just as great as the others, and an excellent and satisfying close to one of the most original fantasy books to come along in... well, ever. These are among my favourite books of all time. I'm so psyched about the movie, you have no idea :P.