The Golden Compass

[Seonaid]

Anyone else psyched about this movie? I had thought that Billy Bob Thornton was slated to be Scoresby, which was almost as cool as Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter (brilliant casting choice!), but apparently not. I am also disappointed there are no pictures of the daemons, but I guess it's okay for them to keep something in reserve.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/31155
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/

 

[Fast Learner]

I'm just reading the books for the first time now, and didn't know a movie was in the works, very cool.

I'm thrilled with Sam Elliot as Scoresby, a much better match than Thornton, imo. I do agree that Kidman was an outstanding choice.

No pics of Iorek, either... he's in the first book, isn't he?

 

[mmu1]

I predict that the fans of the books (Which, in the interest of full disclosure I will say I'm not - in fact, I despise them, thought I have read all three.) will end up unhappy with the movie or movies.

As far as Hollywood is concerned, this is just another way of capitalizing on the success of Harry Potter, so they're going to play it safe... The first book might escape relatively unscathed, but I really don't think they'll want anything to do with the $#!&storm of angry Christians that releasing mainstream children's movies which accurately relate the contents of the second two books would raise.

 

[Kapture]

I can't think of why the second book would be offensive.

The third is going to require a load of CGI.

It looks great.

 

[mmu1]

I can't think of why the second book would be offensive.

The third is going to require a load of CGI.

It looks great.

No way to get into it without violating the forum rules. Best not to start.

 

[Fast Learner]

I think the second book is pretty safe, too. The use of angels in it is unlikely to be particularly controversial, and the light background material about the structure of early angels and such can be ignored.

Even the first 1/2 of the third book is pretty safe. After that point the material becomes more theologically-oriented, though. I think the "exposure" of what happens after you die is still pretty safe, as many movies that received little or no protest (like What Dreams May Come) have suggested alternatives to traditional Christian faith. By the time the big event at the end of the series happens, though, the basic challenge to the authority of the church and religion in general would likely be pretty controversial. I really hope they manage to retain it, though, somehow, as it's what makes all the events of the story mean something.

 

[Seonaid]

I doubt, also, that the film(s) will capture the series accurately, but I'm still excited.

I have been wondering how they'll present the whole religion thing myself. It seems that perhaps they should just stick to a single volume instead of trying to do all three. The first book is by far the best of the series anyway. Though I do agree that in order to really make it all come together, the whole thing needs to be done. I'm torn.