Movies
Brit director chosen for Pullman trilogy
Published Wednesday, Aug 10 2005, 08:23 BST | By Neil Wilkes
British director Anand Tucker has been chosen to direct The Golden Compass, New Line has confirmed.
The movie, which is anticipated for a 2007 release, is an adaptation of the first of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed 'His Dark Materials' fantasy trilogy.
Previous director Chris Weitz resigned in December because of the film's huge "technical difficulties" but will stay on board as a screenwriter.
"I warmly welcome Anand Tucker as director of the first His Dark Materials film," said Pullman of the appointment. "He respects the integrity of the narrative and will maintain that integrity in the film-making process. His ideas are exciting and well thought out, and I greatly look forward to seeing the project go forward in his hands."
Tucker, whose second film - Steve Martin comedy Shopgirl - is released in October, said: "The opportunity to turn Philip Pullman’s extraordinary story into a film is literally a dream come true. I instantly fell in love with His Dark Materials when it was first published, and have been a huge fan ever since. I was entranced by the way the books reminded me of those first magical experiences of reading books when I was a kid. Phillip has created an incredibly universal story about a reluctant hero whose destiny is nothing less than to save Mankind."
The project, New Line's most expensive venture since the Lord of the Rings, has already been blighted by much criticism for its religious themes.
The movie, which is anticipated for a 2007 release, is an adaptation of the first of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed 'His Dark Materials' fantasy trilogy.
Previous director Chris Weitz resigned in December because of the film's huge "technical difficulties" but will stay on board as a screenwriter.
"I warmly welcome Anand Tucker as director of the first His Dark Materials film," said Pullman of the appointment. "He respects the integrity of the narrative and will maintain that integrity in the film-making process. His ideas are exciting and well thought out, and I greatly look forward to seeing the project go forward in his hands."
Tucker, whose second film - Steve Martin comedy Shopgirl - is released in October, said: "The opportunity to turn Philip Pullman’s extraordinary story into a film is literally a dream come true. I instantly fell in love with His Dark Materials when it was first published, and have been a huge fan ever since. I was entranced by the way the books reminded me of those first magical experiences of reading books when I was a kid. Phillip has created an incredibly universal story about a reluctant hero whose destiny is nothing less than to save Mankind."
The project, New Line's most expensive venture since the Lord of the Rings, has already been blighted by much criticism for its religious themes.
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