The Golden Compass | Bettany & Kidman = Asriel & Coulter? | His Dark Materials

Bettany & Kidman = Asriel & Coulter?

Posted by on July 14, 2006 at 9:11 am

The Daily Mail is claiming that Paul Bettany is near taking the role of Lord Asriel in the forthcoming His Dark Materials movies. The paper says that he is “facing the last hurdle in negotiations.” Following up on its previous claim that Nicole Kidman has been offered the Mrs Coulter role, it says that “people on the film” have been telling others that the star will be in the movie and that she has “agreed to cut her multi-million-dollar fee.” “[Paul and Nicole] get on, so him being in the film is something Nicole is taking into consideration,” one executive reportedly told the Mail. Read more.

The article also says that whilst “principal photography” begins in September, New Line have already “begun shooting discreetly in the UK.” It also mentions that Weitz has officially hired an actress - Claire Higgens, who has won the Olivier Award thrice. This may be her (see photo).

Update: The Mail, whilst reporting on Kidman's move to Britain, claim that she is doing so in order to shoot the film. They say, “Nicole's agents and executives from New Line spent over two months at what were described by one source at the studio as 'complex' negotiations to secure the actress's services.” Read more.

Note: This story is still highly unconfirmed. The Mail have a history of making up rumours, having insisted for years (even before the film had a director) that Kidman was 'on the verge' of taking the role. That latest article, for example, deceptively states that “author Pullman revealed that he had always visualised Nicole playing the part of the glamorous sable-coated Mrs Coulter,” which in actuality was a remark made over five years ago.

A source of ours within New Line was unable to confirm any of this, so take all reports with a grain of salt.

Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

Wait I have something even better to say on this subject.

The book is not a the church is evil lets burn it to the ground kinda book, (which some people seem to think it is) it's a make your own belifes pave your own path kind of book.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

MCH says:

I don't see why being religious should have to stop Nicole Kidman playing Mrs Coulter. I mean, if you look at it in basic terms, Mrs Coulter is a misguided mother who wants to care for her daughter. What's anti-religious about that? And in the end she dies for her daughter, which is self-sacrifice -the whgole Bible is about self-sacrifice anyway, so it is actually promoting the morality of religion.
Anyway, Nicole's played a prostitute before in Moulin Rouge, and that's hardly a religious role.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Wytchbabi says:

Well, Kidman may find HDM offensive to her religious beliefs. remember the uproar the books first caused amoung the Catholics? but if she can put that aside and just act, then she should be fine.
(by the by, she was a courtesan in Moulin Rouge, it's different from a prostitute.)

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

I'll tell you what is anti-religious about it. First off when coulter is evil in the book she is working for a very evil church making Kidman go against her church driven belifes in movie 1 + 2. Then when Coulter finally does turn good she moves to save Eve, which is everything the church is against.

Although you are right about the prostitute thing, but I still doubt she will take the part. As the Article says above the very untrust worthy Daily Mail, has been claiming, she was going to take the role even before the film had a dircter.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

baz bamigboye says:

You write that the Daily Mail has a habit of making up stories.I'm sure you will give equal space to an apology when New Line announce that Nicole Kidman will be playing the role of Mrs Coulter, and they will certainly be issuing a statement to that effect before shooting commences.I wrote the article for the Daily Mail and you can be certain that it is 100 per cent accurate.Baz Bamigboye.Daily Mail London.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Willl says:

Baz - I certainly will. Let me explain myself.

Nicole Kidman\’s involvement has been a constant rumour since the film was announced. She\’s been reported as having taken the role all around the internet in various papers and sites for years now. It rather wears one down.

You\’ve written pieces on her several times now being in negotiations and we\’ve heard nothing from New Line - it\’s just when you assert things like \”it\’s official\”\” and we\’ve heard absolutely nothing (and sometimes sources aren\’t even mentioned) that I still make sure to place it firmly in the rumour camp. Especially when no-one else has reported on it either; the old two-sources rule. (The Sun think she\’s pregnant too it seems by the way; that\’d rather scupper things.)

Sorry if you\’ve taken offence - my dislike of the Mail stems from its politics, not the entertainment sections. My email\’s there if you want to discuss further.

If I had Nicole Kidman signed for my film, I\’d be shouting about it!

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Alice says:

I find all the comments funny about how Nicole Kidman being a Catholic would stop her taking a role. Nicole Kidman has taken roles that have more or less damned humanity in Dogville, called into question some rules of society regarding love and marriage in EWS and Birth and if anyone commenting here had actually watched her work or listened to what she says about her work, they will realise that a book like HDM is one that would spur Kidman on, the HDM books are about ideas on religion, Kidman's filmography is filled with movies trying out ideas, causing discussions, debate, etc.
Being Catholic has never affected her work, it certainly didn't stop her doing The Others where she played a mother who was a devout believer but in the end couldn't say if she believed in a God she had prayed to all her life.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Alice says:

Give the woman a little credit, lol and hasn't the script been wiped clean of anything that might cause religious furore?
And since when is Kidman insanely religious or a devout catholic, anyone ever heard her spouting her beliefs out there? According to her, she is a Catholic who goes to Mass when she can, let's not get carried away by mistaking what is written by the likes of Page Six to what she actually says she is doing, she is not thumping her bible over anyone's head.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Alice says:

And Baz should understand why there is sceptism regarding his claims, the entertainment/showbiz section of the Daily Mail is as bad as the rest of the paper with Nicole Lampert being the worst example of what a reporter or journalist should be, I guess the National Enquirer refused to offer her a job. They can't get simple facts right so Baz (he actually is more often that not spot on since he actually SPEAKS to the people involved) shouldn't perhaps take it personally if we choose to wait for New Line to tell us what is happening and since Baz seems to be the only one claiming she is now officially signed, I will wait till New Line releases a statement. Last year the DM and Evening Standard claimed Kidman was returning to the stage, they even gave the name of the play! and we know how that turned out and what was the big deal about her moving to the UK, is she meant to be commuting from Nashville to the UK to shoot her scenes, talk about a waste of column? All these reports from Bamigboye smells like someone wanting to claim exclusive rights to a story unfortunately we now have countless websites who do cut and paste jobs and have his claims everywhere.

And for the person posting about her supposed pregnancy causing problems for the shoot, she wouldn't be the first pregnant actress to work on a filmset, would she? they have ways of making it work.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

To Alice: I sure hope the script has'nt been wiped clean of anything that might cause religious furore.
Otherwise this moive will be just another movie (nah it will still be amazing).

And I must addmit I have commented without seeing all of her movies.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

July says:

I didn't read the books, I don't know the story of His Dark Materials, but I read all the comments and I just want to give my opinion about the cast: the more important is that actors are GOOD, and it's a great chance to see Nicole Kidman AND Paul Bettany! Be reassured: Paul Bettany, who doesn't look like the Silas of the book, has created one of the best character of this movie. I'm sure that he'll do the best job again as Asriel, especially if this character must be powerful, tall and handsome…

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

More news on Kidman:

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=15764

comingsoon.net is usualy pretty reliable

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

simple says:

i thought lord asriel was supposed to be good-looking? and where did they find that random? Im not happy with him, if he does take the role, but i suppose if he is a good enough actor and is loveable and hateable at the same time, i might accept him as lord asriel lol

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

Paul Bettany is an amizing actor and could perfectly well handle the part, with his hands tied behind his back, and his EYES SHUT!!!

:angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:

WHO CARES ABOUT WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE, IT'S THE ACTING SKILLS THAT MATTER THE MOST!!!! The looks are just the icing on the cake.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

simple says:

well thats true too, and he probably is really good, but when youre dealing with such a huge film like this, and with everyone having read the book, its extremely important to get the right looking character. I know me and sisters have totally different views of him, but they have to try and get an actor that fits it generally, for when it comes for other people to read it they will have that actors face stuck in their minds for that person. Thats how it was with HP and such.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

Most of the people who are going to see the movie probably, will not have read the book. HDM is not nearly as popular as HP (although I wish it was).

Images can easily be changed, for Ex: I could'nt imaginge Toby Maguire playing Spider-Man, but now when I see his face the first thing that comes to mind is Spider-Man.

And as I have said before the acting skills are more important then the looks. I would rather have a bunch of actors who dont look the part at all, but really can act their part and, bring to life the emotional sacle of this film.

Then a bunch of look alike crap actors who will litterally destroy HDM.

In the end what relly makes a film great is the actors who can portray the emotions of the character to perfection, and really bring out the emotions of the viewer, not LOOKS!!!

One more thing Simple: Find me one person who will take the looks over the acting and I will agree with you. But I doubt anyone here is that shallow. (at least I hope not). :wassat:

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

Add this to my post below (man I wish they had an edit thing around here):

When an actor is good he will make you belive that he actually is that character, he will change your idea about what that character looks like, for those two hours in your mind he will become the character.

Agian looks are alright, but they hold little depth, and in the long run you the need depth to hold your attention (at least I know I do).

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

jon says:

I kind of agree with 'Arriving etc', but i also agree with 'simple'. Looks dont make the character, but they do enhance them. I think they do need to look like as described, but must also act as described, otherwise getting the part is pointless.

November 30, 1999 12:00 am | link

Bettany & Kidman = Asriel & Coulter?

Posted by on July 14, 2006 at 9:11 am

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