His Dark Materials movie
August 4th 2006 06:36
There's been talk about a big screen adaptation of Philip Pullman's excellent trilogy of fantasy novels, 'His Dark Materials', for quite some time now. At one point Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead) looked all set to direct it, but - alas - this was just one stop off on the usual route some films make in their 'pre-production hell'. I had lost faith that these books would ever make it to the screen... whilst absolutely loved to pieces by almost everyone who has ever read them, they aren't exactly popular in the way that Lemony Snicket and Harry Potter are popular. For a trilogy of fantasy novels found in the teen fiction section of most bookstores, they're surprisingly adult and even disturbing at times, and more than a little complex.
Well, I might be late in getting to the ball game here but I only just realised that this film was all-go again last night when I stumbled across an article on aintitcoolnews.com.
So, I did some internet-digging, and here's the bare basics...
The biggest coup is probably getting Oscar-winning superstar Nicole Kidman involved. Not only is she a big name but she's also perfect for the role she will be playing, Mrs. Coulter. Cold, remote, devious... Kidman sometimes comes off like even when she's not trying! Well cast.
Chris Weitz is directing. Weitz made his name with the film 'American Pie', producing and unofficially co-directing it. He also made 'Down to Earth', a Chris Rock comedy I haven't seen. After these he directed and adapted for the screen 'About a Boy' - a clear break from the American comedies he had previously worked on, and a favourite film of mine. It is this last film which gives me hope that he might do well with 'His Dark Materials'... whilst it's completely unlike any film he has worked on before, his mature and skillful handling of 'About a Boy' showed that he can move beyond 'American Pie'.
Dakota Richards has been cast as the lead, Lyra. She hasn't acted in anything before but I guess these are the risks you have to take when casting children in films. Guess we'll have to wait and see how that pans out.
Finally, Paul Bettany is in talks to play Lord Asriel. He isn't how I pictured the character... I imagined a somewhat more gruff charcterisation. Bettany is a great actor though so I'm sure he'll do something great with the role nonetheless.
Anyway, that's all there is at the moment. Personally, I can't wait to see this on the big screen... the armoured bears are going to rule.
Nicole Kidman - Mrs. Coulter
Well, I might be late in getting to the ball game here but I only just realised that this film was all-go again last night when I stumbled across an article on aintitcoolnews.com.
So, I did some internet-digging, and here's the bare basics...
The biggest coup is probably getting Oscar-winning superstar Nicole Kidman involved. Not only is she a big name but she's also perfect for the role she will be playing, Mrs. Coulter. Cold, remote, devious... Kidman sometimes comes off like even when she's not trying! Well cast.
Chris Weitz is directing. Weitz made his name with the film 'American Pie', producing and unofficially co-directing it. He also made 'Down to Earth', a Chris Rock comedy I haven't seen. After these he directed and adapted for the screen 'About a Boy' - a clear break from the American comedies he had previously worked on, and a favourite film of mine. It is this last film which gives me hope that he might do well with 'His Dark Materials'... whilst it's completely unlike any film he has worked on before, his mature and skillful handling of 'About a Boy' showed that he can move beyond 'American Pie'.
Dakota Richards has been cast as the lead, Lyra. She hasn't acted in anything before but I guess these are the risks you have to take when casting children in films. Guess we'll have to wait and see how that pans out.
Finally, Paul Bettany is in talks to play Lord Asriel. He isn't how I pictured the character... I imagined a somewhat more gruff charcterisation. Bettany is a great actor though so I'm sure he'll do something great with the role nonetheless.
Anyway, that's all there is at the moment. Personally, I can't wait to see this on the big screen... the armoured bears are going to rule.
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Comment by jon
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It's also going to be a bloody long film -- are they going to chop it up (bad) or make it into a trilogy?
Comment by Luke
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yeah needs a big budget for sure.