His Dark Materials Trilogy

[doglips]

I was hoping for some news on this before the year end but it has all gone quiet.

Pullman has also removed some interviews from his website stating that the religious themes would not be changed completely. So I do not know where he stands now, at the time of the interviews he said that if New Line had wanted to change the stories significantly he would not have sold the rights.

So, the 'Book of Dust'? Excited or should he leave the trilogy alone?

As far as I'm concerned if you take out the religious aspects or the authortiy of ANY of that, you ruin the books and what they mean.
It would be like taking Aslan out of Narnia, stupid, pointless and cowardly.

What's this "Book of Dust" all about then?
If they continue Lyra and Will's stories (god knows how though) I'd love it, against my better judgement no doubt.
It could well be just a cash in though.

This is from Darkmaterials.Org:

' The Book of Dust is intended to be a companion to the His Dark Materials trilogy. It will explain Lyra's world and, most importantly, the background histories of secondary characters like Lee Scoresby and Serafina Pekkala.

Rumors about The Book of Dust practically date back to the publication of The Amber Spyglass in 2000, but Philip Pullman has set no possible publication dates and has worked on several separate projects in the interim. The Book of Dust is definitely in the process of being written - the press release of Lyra's Oxford mentions it by name - but there's no way to gauge how near it is to completion or when it will finally be published.

"The Book of Dust will not be a simple reference book--far from it. I want to go into the background of Lyra's world, and the creation myth that underpins the whole trilogy, and to say something about some of the other characters, and about the alethiometer and the history of the subtle knife, and so on. Furthermore I want it to be richly illustrated. It'll be story-driven, not reference-driven, and I'll need to brood over it in silence before I find the right form for it." '

Lyra's Oxford was a bit of a cash in for me, but it did put forward some interesting ideas of where the story may go after the Amber Spyglass.

Anyone heard any info on the films?

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

I did it. I broke down and bought the books. Now I just have to read them.

[ZombieZoneSolutions]

I'm finally reading book 1 of His Dark Materials -- The
Amber Spyglass. So far, I am enjoying it very much. Its the kind
of story someone like Miyazaki could turn into a beautifully done
animated film. Of course, as I have heard, a live action version is
already in the works, and will probably be terrible. Either way, the book,
so far, is fantastic...

[Alex DeLarge]

I'm finally reading book 1 of His Dark Materials -- The
Amber Spyglass. So far, I am enjoying it very much. Its the kind
of story someone like Miyazaki could turn into a beautifully done
animated film. Of course, as I have heard, a live action version is
already in the works, and will probably be terrible. Either way, the book,
so far, is fantastic...

Isnt The Golden Compass book 1? I thought The Amber Spyglass was book 2 or 3.

[ZombieZoneSolutions]

I'm finally reading book 1 of His Dark Materials -- The
Amber Spyglass. So far, I am enjoying it very much. Its the kind
of story someone like Miyazaki could turn into a beautifully done
animated film. Of course, as I have heard, a live action version is
already in the works, and will probably be terrible. Either way, the book,
so far, is fantastic...

Isnt The Golden Compass book 1? I thought The Amber Spyglass was book 2 or 3.

Oops, thats right. I mean THE GOLDEN COMPASS...

[TonyWilson]

I'm finally reading book 1 of His Dark Materials -- The
Amber Spyglass. So far, I am enjoying it very much. Its the kind
of story someone like Miyazaki could turn into a beautifully done
animated film. Of course, as I have heard, a live action version is
already in the works, and will probably be terrible. Either way, the book,
so far, is fantastic...

Isnt The Golden Compass book 1? I thought The Amber Spyglass was book 2 or 3.

Oops, thats right. I mean THE GOLDEN COMPASS...

Er, you both mean Northern Lights
*cough*bloody yanks*cough*

[ZombieZoneSolutions]

I'm finally reading book 1 of His Dark Materials -- The
Amber Spyglass. So far, I am enjoying it very much. Its the kind
of story someone like Miyazaki could turn into a beautifully done
animated film. Of course, as I have heard, a live action version is
already in the works, and will probably be terrible. Either way, the book,
so far, is fantastic...

Isnt The Golden Compass book 1? I thought The Amber Spyglass was book 2 or 3.

Oops, thats right. I mean THE GOLDEN COMPASS...

Er, you both mean Northern Lights
*cough*bloody yanks*cough*

Ah, is this another American title change ala The Philosopher's Stone?
Haven't quite figured out why publishers do that! Maybe THE GOLDEN
COMPASS sounds more adventure-y to young American ears? Dunno...

[ZombieZoneSolutions]

I absolutely love it. Its easily the best 'young adult' fantasy novel I have
read in ages. I hope this rumored film version lives up to the promise
of the text.

Right now I have about 75 pages left to read in book 1. Already hankering
for book 2. Just ordered the box set from Amazon.

I would love to use these novels in my classroom, but I think that maybe
its a little advanced for 5th graders. For the teachers in the Zone, have you
used these books in your classrooms? And, if so, which grade level?

[TonyWilson]

I absolutely love it. Its easily the best 'young adult' fantasy novel I have
read in ages. I hope this rumored film version lives up to the promise
of the text.

Right now I have about 75 pages left to read in book 1. Already hankering
for book 2. Just ordered the box set from Amazon.

I would love to use these novels in my classroom, but I think that maybe
its a little advanced for 5th graders. For the teachers in the Zone, have you
used these books in your classrooms? And, if so, which grade level?

My mum teaches 7 and 8 yr olds and there's a couple in her class reading these books, but most kids I know read them about 12 and upwards.

[ZombieZoneSolutions]

I absolutely love it. Its easily the best 'young adult' fantasy novel I have
read in ages. I hope this rumored film version lives up to the promise
of the text.

Right now I have about 75 pages left to read in book 1. Already hankering
for book 2. Just ordered the box set from Amazon.

I would love to use these novels in my classroom, but I think that maybe
its a little advanced for 5th graders. For the teachers in the Zone, have you
used these books in your classrooms? And, if so, which grade level?

My mum teaches 7 and 8 yr olds and there's a couple in her class reading these books, but most kids I know read them about 12 and upwards.

So, in 1st / 2nd grade? Really? Man, that's impressive. So many of
my students read below grade level (we have a little bit of a... problem
here in the States what with education; seems the powers-that-should-
not-be would rather spend its tax dollars on murdering children, or jailing
them, then teaching them), that I find that amazing. Does your Mom
teach at a private school?

I was reckoning around 12 yrs olde seems about right. Like 6th/7th/8th
grade. Thats around when I read Tolkien's books.

[tapehead]

I've only read The Golden Compass/the Northern Lights so far - that's why the name Lyra Belaqua was so familiar when I saw her post here! - I would say for adults this book is eminently more 'readable' than Harry Potter - certainly held my imagination better. I'm not a teacher but I'd guess If I had been exposed to these books at any age over ten or so they would have taken hold of me.

[TonyWilson]

I absolutely love it. Its easily the best 'young adult' fantasy novel I have
read in ages. I hope this rumored film version lives up to the promise
of the text.

Right now I have about 75 pages left to read in book 1. Already hankering
for book 2. Just ordered the box set from Amazon.

I would love to use these novels in my classroom, but I think that maybe
its a little advanced for 5th graders. For the teachers in the Zone, have you
used these books in your classrooms? And, if so, which grade level?

My mum teaches 7 and 8 yr olds and there's a couple in her class reading these books, but most kids I know read them about 12 and upwards.

So, in 1st / 2nd grade? Really? Man, that's impressive. So many of
my students read below grade level (we have a little bit of a... problem
here in the States what with education; seems the powers-that-should-
not-be would rather spend its tax dollars on murdering children, or jailing
them, then teaching them), that I find that amazing. Does your Mom
teach at a private school?

I was reckoning around 12 yrs olde seems about right. Like 6th/7th/8th
grade. Thats around when I read Tolkien's books.

Reading them at 7/8 is definitely out of the ordinary. I was a very advanced reader at school but I think I would have had trouble tackling the books at that age. But in general, literacy here is terrible too. Many employers make school leavers (16 and 18 yrs) sit their own maths and english tests because levels are so poor. It's worse depending on what area the schools are in though obviously. My mum teaches at an ordinary primary school but it's situated right between one very affluent area (Quarndon for anyone who knows derby) and one very poor area (the west end), it's a very varied mix of kids and they have very very different abilities, which makes it a nightmare to teach a class of 34 as you can have some kids with a 4 yr olds math and literacy and some kids with a 10 or even 12 yr olds.

Ok boring educational lecture over.....


FUCK OFSTED.



Ok, honestly over now.

[tapehead]

Lyra Belacqua has been cast!
http://tinyurl.com/m3y69

reprinted here:
'While we were all beginning to think that the first His Dark Materials film – The Golden Compass (blasted American title! What's wrong with Northern Lights?) – might be one of those cinematic labours of Hercules that drags in directors and spits them out, we’ve got to admit that Chris Weitz is making progress.

He’s gone ahead and cast the lead character of Lyra Belacqua, the girl who sets out on a dangerous mission through a fantastical realm. And just who is the actress playing Lyra, you ask? Well, her first name is Dakota, and… Aha! Gotcha! Bet you were thinking we were going to follow-up with the surname Fanning, right? Wrong!

The lucky young lady plucked from obscurity is Dakota Blue Richards, who won the part up against 10,000 other girls after a huge casting sweep. Looks like the Dark Materials crew are going the Harry Potter route.

Weitz plans to start shooting in September right here in Blighty, while studio New Line aims to have the film unspooling on 16 November 2007 (in the States at least). We won’t stop holding our breath until the reels are running through the projector, but at least it’s a good start.'



Shooting in England in September

main site has the story here:
http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23732

what those freaking armoured bears might look like

gratuitous shot of promo poster I found


from bridgetothestars.net

Having read the Northern Lights/Golden Compass, I'm really looking forward to this.
for the readers: How close is this to 'steam punk' (like the 'difference engine' or 'Steam Boy'?
for the mods: should this be in Movie News?

[dark wesley]

DANIEL CRAIG IS LORD ASRIEL.

its official

[dark wesley]

i think its a solid, good casting. He could be really really good.

[Lady Sheridan]

Well, better than Paul Bettany...

[brainiac]

OK, you did it.
Convinced me to read the series.
Have started book one, love the daemons and wish I had one.
(If I did, I would have an asp, maybe -- small, easy to
conceal, deadly to enemies.)

Enjoying it so far as the Gobblers are at large.

Gotta say though, I've read several long passages that make me wonder
if this is truly YA material or was just marketed to them in fear that
an older reading public might not buy fantasy?

[Lady Sheridan]

Gotta say though, I've read several long passages that make me wonder
if this is truly YA material or was just marketed to them in fear that
an older reading public might not buy fantasy?

I have wondered the same thing, especially as the series goes on. There are large parts that would completely go over many adults heads, let alone a child/young adult. I don't think I would give it to anyone younger than 13 or 14, and they would still have to be a very mature 13 year old.

[Bob Samonkey]

Gotta say though, I've read several long passages that make me wonder
if this is truly YA material or was just marketed to them in fear that
an older reading public might not buy fantasy?

I have wondered the same thing, especially as the series goes on. There are large parts that would completely go over many adults heads, let alone a child/young adult. I don't think I would give it to anyone younger than 13 or 14, and they would still have to be a very mature 13 year old.

That’s what I said the whole time I read it. Then I just figured us Americans are a prudish bunch and, as a whole, not incredibly intelligent. And then I realized that it doesn't matter anyway as no one reads anymore so everything's kosher.

....Or maybe I am just a tad on the bitter/cynical side today....

[magicmonkey]

Really? Yeah there were metaphorical/philosophical questions being addressed. I did enjoy the books but there were times where I felt that the author by no means was capable of adult fiction. Too many plotholes or inexplicable action, which I tried to justify as a kind of parable, but, ultimately to me just proved to be shoddy writing with a forced self agenda. Still, like I say, loved the journey and put the flaws down to it being childrens fiction.

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

"If you want my service, the price is this: get me back my armor. Do that, and I shall serve you in your campaign, either until I am dead or until you have a victory. The price is my armor. I want it back, and then I shall never need sprits again." Said the talking bear! Just a hair past the halfway point and I must say that as much as I would like to be making this movie I kinda don't envy Weitz the job of adapting it. I can just see the accountants rolling their eyes as they add more zeroes to the CG budget for every talking animal in the script. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series and the films.

[Keepcoolbutcare]

"If you want my service, the price is this: get me back my armor. Do that, and I shall serve you in your campaign, either until I am dead or until you have a victory. The price is my armor. I want it back, and then I shall never need sprits again." Said the talking bear!

I heart Iorek.

"Just a hair past the halfway point and I must say that as much as I would like to be making this movie I kinda don't envy Weitz the job of adapting it.

I hope he has a great crew, for he has never done anything like this.

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

About four chapters into The Subtle Knife and now I can see why the suits at New Line are twitchy nervous over the religious content. A movie aimed at 'tweens that features witches discussing taking sides in a war against a capital-C church? The thing practically sells itself! Good thing they can sell those talking armored bear plushes before the second movie comes out. No wonder Weitz was sweating bullets.

[MercuryX23]

I really enjoyed this series to a point, but knowing some of the religious folk I know and how they feel about Potter, I'm sure they would really flip about the portrayal of religion in Pullman's trilogy. I know these are a somewhat popular series of books, but do they have the kind of appeal that Potter does that makes it easy for a studio to ignore the book burners?

[brainiac]

Since this isn't a discussion of religion but how religion is portrayed in Pullman's books, I'm guessing the guy had an axe to grind and the organized religion that put Joan of Arc to death and tried Galileo as a heretic is his target. It seems to me that Pullman is railing against this aspect of organized religion rather than the good it can do.

Just one opinion among many...

I have been listening to the books on CD. Nice voice cast -- children sound like children and it really adds to the drama.

[HollywoodBabylon]

For those interested (like me) the first photo has just appeared online from Northern Lights, the first film in the trilogy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6090000/newsid_6098500/6098528.stm

It shows the young girl who plays Lyra with Nicole Kidman (Mrs Coulter).

[magicmonkey]

Can someone host this and post? BBC news not allowed in the PRC.

[HollywoodBabylon]

Can someone host this and post? BBC news not allowed in the PRC.

MM, go to Google images, type in 'His Dark Materials' and scroll down the first results page; you'll see it there under 'Lyra revealed' with 'news.bbc.co.uk' underneath. I've just seen it there.

[magicmonkey]

No go, image search is also restricted, it displayed all the way up to the BBC pic but not actually it and now my google browser is frozen. Oh well, I guess they are just protecting my best interests...

[HollywoodBabylon]

No go, image search is also restricted, it displayed all the way up to the BBC pic but not actually it and now my google browser is frozen. Oh well, I guess they are just protecting my best interests...

Try here..

http://www.oxfordmail.net/display.var.996257.0.lyra_makes_dark_debut.php

Image is alot smaller though than BBC one.

[magicmonkey]

Cheers man! That does look great. I love the looks in their eyes and the almost innocent 50's haircut of Kidman. Wowsa's! I can almost hear the tingling music of the film already.

[HollywoodBabylon]

Cheers man! That does look great. I love the looks in their eyes and the almost innocent 50's haircut of Kidman. Wowsa's! I can almost hear the tingling music of the film already.

No probs, MM. Glad you found it

[Keepcoolbutcare]

. Oh well, I guess they are just protecting my best interests...

kinda like the filmmakers ridding the text of all that thought provoking and complicated "god" malarkey, eh?

I'm hazarding a guess, but since Dakota Blue is so young lookin', I'm thinking there won't be any of that shagging to save the universe dealio either, huh?

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

Just finished reading The Subtle Knife. If shooting the first one doesn't kill Weitz then this one surely will. Wow. I must say that I am very pleased with the casting of Scoresby. On to The Amber Spyglass!

[TonyWilson]

Sam Elliot as Scoresby is amazing casting. I actually imagined someone younger in the books but it doesn't really matter anymore. If Weitz pulls this off I'll be extremely happy. I can't wait to see Scoreby and Hester taking on the soldiers on the mountain pass.

[Tyrone_Shoelaces]

Just finished The Amber Spyglass about five minutes ago. These things get bigger and bigger as they go on. Just on sheer scope I will be amazed to see this on screen. I hope New Line is committed to making all three because they are going to catch a shit storm over the religious aspects and I would hate to see them chicken out. I'm guessing (and kinda hope) that they will do 2 and 3 at the same time. Can't wait to see Eva Green's Serafina Pekkala costume.

As a reading experience I'm still trying to digest it all. I thought it was a grand adventure and had some heady themes but I'm not sure that Pullman hit his point squarely on the head. Its also possible that I heard too much about the books before I read them and that's coloring my reaction. My biggest quibble was some of the dialog, which is always one of my pet peeves about any book. Nothing like awkward, flowery dialog to make me wince. Still, I had a good time and would recommend the books. I'll probably pick up Lyra's Oxford one of these days. Pullman's other trilogy sounds good too.

[so sorry]

So I just spent my Barnes & Nobles gift cards on the following:

His Dark Materials Trilogy (based solely on the love it gets around here)

[lyra belacqua]

His Dark Materials Trilogy (based solely on the love it gets around here)

Well deserved love!

Let's us know when/how/what you think/feel/love (because you will love it) when you're done.

[so sorry]

so THAT'S what it takes to get you to come out of the shadows these days, huh?

I'll definetly write about my thoughts in the HDM thread, but I'm a SLOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW reader, so it may take a while!

[Logan5]

Right now I am finishing the last couple of pages of the first book in His Dark Materials. Loving every page of it.

[so sorry]

I'm reading his dark materials trilogy right now (I'm almost done the Subtle Knife)... not really liking it or disliking it, not sure what the fuss is about.

[Doc Holliday]

I'm about 2/3 of the way through NORTHERN LIGHTS (aka THE GOLDEN COMPASS).

Its been a long time since a book has touched upon that kind of imagination I used to have when I was 6-12 years of age. Great fun and intelligently written - the other day I was waiting for an extremely important phone call - when the phone finally started I found myself saying in my head "..changing to a butterfly, Pantalaimon settled on his shoulder, fluttering his wings nervously".

Today I find myself musing over whether having a same-sex daemon means I'm actually in denial...

[doglips]

Great book, Doc. Even better trilogy - wait for the Subtle Knife it's fantastic.

Edit - have you got all three to read?

[so sorry]

I'm about 2/3 of the way through NORTHERN LIGHTS (aka THE GOLDEN COMPASS).

Its been a long time since a book has touched upon that kind of imagination I used to have when I was 6-12 years of age. Great fun and intelligently written - the other day I was waiting for an extremely important phone call - when the phone finally started I found myself saying in my head "..changing to a butterfly, Pantalaimon settled on his shoulder, fluttering his wings nervously".

Today I find myself musing over whether having a same-sex daemon means I'm actually in denial...

Hey what do you know, I'm about half way thru the same book!
Not really enjoying it too much, but I bought the trilogy and it would be a crime to not finish it...

[Doc Holliday]

Great book, Doc. Even better trilogy - wait for the Subtle Knife it's fantastic.

Edit - have you got all three to read?

Not yet - I was waiting to see if I liked the first one before getting the other two. But oh yes, I will be getting them!

[doglips]

I'm about 2/3 of the way through NORTHERN LIGHTS (aka THE GOLDEN COMPASS).

Its been a long time since a book has touched upon that kind of imagination I used to have when I was 6-12 years of age. Great fun and intelligently written - the other day I was waiting for an extremely important phone call - when the phone finally started I found myself saying in my head "..changing to a butterfly, Pantalaimon settled on his shoulder, fluttering his wings nervously".

Today I find myself musing over whether having a same-sex daemon means I'm actually in denial...

Hey what do you know, I'm about half way thru the same book!
Not really enjoying it too much, but I bought the trilogy and it would be a crime to not finish it...

Stick with it, the plot progresses quickly toward the end of Northern Lights, with a much darker tone set in The Subtle Knife - You'll be hooked halfway through the second book. If not you have no soul - then again KC liked them.......

[so sorry]

I'm about 2/3 of the way through NORTHERN LIGHTS (aka THE GOLDEN COMPASS).

Its been a long time since a book has touched upon that kind of imagination I used to have when I was 6-12 years of age. Great fun and intelligently written - the other day I was waiting for an extremely important phone call - when the phone finally started I found myself saying in my head "..changing to a butterfly, Pantalaimon settled on his shoulder, fluttering his wings nervously".

Today I find myself musing over whether having a same-sex daemon means I'm actually in denial...

Hey what do you know, I'm about half way thru the same book!
Not really enjoying it too much, but I bought the trilogy and it would be a crime to not finish it...

Stick with it, the plot progresses quickly toward the end of Northern Lights, with a much darker tone set in The Subtle Knife - You'll be hooked halfway through the second book. If not you have no soul - then again KC liked them.......

Oops , I misspoke earlier... I'm actually halfway thru the Amber Spyglass, so I'm just about done with the series. And call me Mr Soul(less), 'cuase I haven't connected at all with any of the books. Maybe I'll do a proper review when I get done.

[stereosforgeeks]

Will start The Subtle Knife tonight.

[stereosforgeeks]

Currently reading The Amber Spyglass

[The Todd]

Currently reading The Amber Spyglass

It's about time-five!