April 19, 2009
His Dark Materials second most challenged book in 2008
The Guardian reports that the His Dark Materials trilogy was the second ‘most challenged’ book in 2008 (up from fourth the previous year) according to the American Library Association. Deborah Caldwell-Stone, deputy director of the ALA’s office for intellectual freedom, said the film of The Golden Compass had renewed attacks on the sequence from Catholic pressure groups. “In many cases school boards reacted precipitously and removed it – then a few weeks later they returned it to the shelves.” Thanks to BlackSatinDancer for the tip.
February 23, 2009
Philip Pullman in Conversation at the Oxford Playhouse
Philip Pullman will be at the Oxford Playhouse on April 24th for a discussion of His Dark Materials as part of the Playhouse’s 70th anniversary celebrations. He will talk about “the genesis of an alternate Oxford” and “his impressions of the adaptation of his epic trilogy, in the week before it takes to the Playhouse stage”. He will also talk about the differences between stage and screen, comparing the play with the film of The Golden Compass. Tickets can be purchased for £11(£9) through the Oxford Playhouse website.
August 17, 2008
Golden Compass nominated in National Movie Awards
The Golden Compass movie has been nominated in the National Movie Awards. It is subject to a public vote online – so you can cast yours here.
July 19, 2008
Subtle Knife movie uncertainty continues
Philip Pullman cast fresh doubt on the big screen future of the trilogy, revealing he has yet to receive any contact regarding filming for The Subtle Knife. Talking to The Independent, he explained:
In a separate interview with The Telegraph Mr Pullman lamented the role of religious protesters on the U.S. box office figures. Although he thought the attacks were misdirected, he had “no doubt to say it did influence a number of people not to go to see it.” In spite of this, he played down fears that the sequels had been scrapped, insisting it was quite normal for potential films to remain in limbo for some time before a final decision is made. He remains “hopeful” that the sequels will be made.
Michael Gubbins, the editor of Screen International, said it was unlikely that the film could be brought out by next year, especially in a tough box office environment with “trilogy congestion” in following months, but that the franchise was likely to be revisited in the future.
The full stories can be read at The Telegraph and The Independent.
Update (5 Aug 2008): After speaking to the producers, Mr Pullman has revealed the film’s recent developments to the Oxford Mail:
“I know everyone would like to see a sequel and I know I’d like to see it. When the first film was in production, I was talking to the studio and to Chris Weitz and producers quite frequently. I’m sure I would be now if the sequel was in production.”Director Chris Weitz declined to comment, stating he did not want to talk about the project while the studio responsible for the first film was refusing to discuss the future of the trilogy.
In a separate interview with The Telegraph Mr Pullman lamented the role of religious protesters on the U.S. box office figures. Although he thought the attacks were misdirected, he had “no doubt to say it did influence a number of people not to go to see it.” In spite of this, he played down fears that the sequels had been scrapped, insisting it was quite normal for potential films to remain in limbo for some time before a final decision is made. He remains “hopeful” that the sequels will be made.
Michael Gubbins, the editor of Screen International, said it was unlikely that the film could be brought out by next year, especially in a tough box office environment with “trilogy congestion” in following months, but that the franchise was likely to be revisited in the future.
The full stories can be read at The Telegraph and The Independent.
Update (5 Aug 2008): After speaking to the producers, Mr Pullman has revealed the film’s recent developments to the Oxford Mail:
“They are getting a script together and they have plans to get things going – in time all things are possible and I feel quite positive about it.”
May 12, 2008
Golden Compass DVD Release Performs Strongly (Updated May 15th)
Figures are in for the Golden Compass’ performance in the DVD market during its first week of release. It came second in the US sales chart selling 1,046,538 units with a value of $21,966,838 (which was the top DVD gross for the week in America). Read more here. It also came second in the rentals market with a gross of $6.46 million. Read more here. In the UK the movie topped the DVD sales chart in its first week, although actual figures have been hard to come by. We’ll keep you posted on how it continues to do. Thanks to kincuri for the research.
Addenum: Further figures are in. The Golden Compass now sits 4th in the US rental charts having taken a little over $5 million gross in the last week leaving it with a rental gross of $11.8 million. In the UK the film continues to top DVD sales charts.
April 28, 2008
DVD Release Today
The home release of The Golden Compass movie on DVD, 2 disc DVD and 2 disc Blu Ray is today. You should be able to buy them from any regular store.
April 23, 2008
Movie reaches 300 million dollars
With the DVD and Blu Ray releases of The Golden Compass movie due on April 28th, the theatrical release has finally reached US$ 300 million worldwide (not including the USA which is generally referred to as the domestic market), almost some five months after it was first released. Following a continued strong showing in Japan (where the movie was released in March) the 300 million mark was reached over the weekend. The film has now taken almost $33 million in Japan and the total figure for outside the USA stands at $300,695,060 – making The Golden Compass the first ever movie to make over $300 million outside of the USA while making less than $100 million domestically. The latest figures from boxofficemojo place The Golden Compass as the 109th best grossing film ever – hardly the bombing loss maker which it has been portrayed as by many in the media. The overall movie gross total now stands at $370,802,788 – if New Line Cinema had not presold foreign rights to the movie they would surely have broken even by now. You can examine the full figures here.
April 21, 2008
Golden Compass Blu Ray Reviewed
Website moviemansguide.com have reviewed the 2 disc blu ray version of The Golden Compass, due for release in just a few days time. They seem on the whole to be mightily impressed, in particular by the quality of the extra features. You can read their thoughts in full right here.
April 15, 2008
Hope for sequel unclear
Crew members from the recent film adaptation of The Golden Compass have indicated that many of the movie sets have since been destroyed (including Lee Scorseby’s balloon) and general props sold on to rental houses. Although this is generally the fate of film sets sequel or no sequel, it appears that the likelihood of filming The Subtle Knife is is very low. Thanks to spyfly for the tip.
April 13, 2008
Golden Compass DVD preview
The Golden Compass movie website has been updated with a short clip from a behind-the-scenes extra on the 2-disc and blu-ray DVDs, where the special effects creators talk about their work. A trivia quiz on the movie has also been added to the website. Click here to find both.