HisDarkMaterials.org

TheOneRing.net posted the following:

In the same way we're keeping an eye on the Narnia films, we're following the "His Dark Materials" film project because we know it's of interest to many LOTR readers. Yesterday, industry insiders leaked news that Tom Stoppard's script for "The Golden Compass" had been "junked," and director Chris Weitz ["About a Boy"] was tipped to take over on the writing. Industry sources described him as a "huge dork-level fan of the books [who] wants to do them justice." He's won praise for his understanding and direction of the boy character in "About a Boy." The ability to write convincingly about teenagers would be an advantage in "The Golden Compass."

Exodus Film Group has tapped Chris Weitz to executive produce "55 Holly Star," a Capra-esque tale of a young down-on-his-luck salesman whose life changes dramatically after a Near Death Experience.

Written and directed by Michael A. Nickles ("This Is Not A Film"), "55 Holly Star," is a whimsical, comedic adventure of one man's desperate attempts to uncover a forgotten childhood memory that contains clues to buried treasure. Led by Exodus president John D. Eraklis, "55 Holly Star" is one of three films being financed by a fund launched by Exodus earlier this year.

Tom Stoppard, Tony Kushner and Neil LaBute may not be the first guys you would expect to encounter cruising down Santa Monica Boulevard en route to a power lunch at The Ivy. For all their differences, each has carved out a reputation for telling stories and exploring themes in ways that can challenge even the standards of mainstream commercial theater, let alone those we associate with big-budget movies.

Yet like Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, David Mamet and others, they have opted to moonlight in the film industry. And movie executives, aware of their cachet among actors and directors, not to mention critics, have been happy to accommodate them.

While all articles before this one stated that Weitz is in talks with New Line about the movie, this one seems to confirm it. However, they may have jumped the gun.

"Chris Weitz (AMERICAN PIE, ABOUT A BOY) will direct the first film in the HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy. Weitz will direct THE GOLDEN COMPASS, the first book by Philip Pullman, with a script by Tom Stoppard (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE). [...] As part of the deal, Weitz will also take a pass at Stoppard's script."

Thanks to Starcrossed!

A comedy sympathetically chronicling the loves of Christian teenagers was launched yesterday, closely watched by Hollywood as studios attempt to tap into the lucrative market revealed by The Passion of the Christ.

Saved!, an examination of Christian fundamentalism and tolerance in a high school, is being viewed as a crucial test of the emerging market Hollywood has identified in the Christian cinema-going public.

The film is being marketed amid a welter of none-too-subtle references to Mel Gibson's blockbuster. "Got Passion? Get Saved," says the slogan on the posters.

Chris Weitz, one-half of American Pie's Weitz brothers, tackling his first solo gig.

American Pie co-director Chris Weitz may be getting his first shot at an effects-driven film. Weitz, who generally helms films with his brother Paul, has started negotiations to take solo directing reigns on New Line Cinema's His Dark Materials, an adaptation of the Philip Pullman award-winning fantasy book series. Should a deal be completed, it's likely that the Weitz brothers' Depth of Field production banner would come on board in some producing capacity.

Tom Stoppard adapted the first book in the series of three, The Golden Compass, and Weitz will now rework the material that he will direct. The story centers on two children, living in parallel universes, who have to fight off witches, armored polar bears and other effects-heavy creatures. Described as being darker in tone than the Harry Potter books, the series explores childhood, innocence and sin, while combining elements of magic and theology.

Chris Weitz, who co-directed "About a Boy" with brother Paul Weitz, is in talks to helm "His Dark Materials," Tom Stoppard's adaptation of Philip Pullman's book series.

Variety reports that Weitz will likely direct "The Golden Compass," the first of the three books that comprise the fantasy series. Stoppard, who is currently represented on Broadway with the revival of Jumpers, has penned the screenplay for New Line Cinema.

The stage version of Stoppard's sprawling work, His Dark Materials, began performances at London's Royal National Theatre in Dec. 2003 as a two-part epic. The story spans many universes and calls for flying balloons, witches, demons, magic and even armored bears.

Filmmaker Chris Weitz is in early negotiations to adapt and direct the first installment of Philip Pullman's celebrated kids fantasy book trilogy "His Dark Materials" for New Line Cinema. The studio is eyeing the trilogy as its follow-up to the "Lord of the Rings" series. It is unclear at this time whether Weitz would direct the other two installments or whether he would produce with his brother, Paul Weitz, through the duo's Depth of Field shingle. The trilogy -- "The Golden Compass," "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" -- revolves around two children who live in parallel worlds surrounded by a cast of shape-shifting creatures.

One of the more literate children's series of our time, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy deals with questions of life, death, love, sacrifice and the existence of God. Who better to direct it, then, than a man still best known for orchestrating the violation of a baked fruit pastry?

Chris Weitz negotiating with studio New Line to direct Pullman's trilogy. Along with his brother Paul, Weitz directed American Pie before moving on to slightly more adult fare in the Nick Hornby adaptation About A Boy. He is perhaps not the most obvious choice – but then neither was obscure indie director Peter Jackson for another recent fantasy epic, and that turned out pretty well.

"About a Boy" scribe and director Chris Weitz is considering adapting another literary property for the big screen.

The 33-year-old filmmaker is in early negotiation to helm "The Golden Compass," the first installment of Philip Pullman's children's book trilogy "His Dark Materials."

Weitz will rework the screenplay, which was initially adapted by Tom Stoppard, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The fantasy trilogy centers on two children in parallel universes who are accompanied by shape-shifting creatures and must use science, magic and theology to save the world. It is uncertain whether Chris Weitz will direct the other two installments -- "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" -- or even if he will produce them with his brother Paul Weitz.

Chris Weitz, director of American Pie and About a Boy, is in talks to take charge of the movie version of celebrated children's fantasy author Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. The film, the first in a proposed triptych based on Pullman's trilogy of novels, is being made by Lord of the Rings backers New Line.

Chris Weitz is in talks with New Line Cinema to direct the first part of Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' fantasy trilogy.

Ostensibly a children's writer, Pullman wrestles with weighty questions of faith, organised religion and the nature of existence in the trilogy which focuses on a pair of children - Lyra and Will - in a richly inventive parallel universe.

The books of the trilogy are 'Northern Lights,' 'The Subtle Knife' and 'The Amber Spyglass'

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Weitz may also be in line to write the screenplay which has already been tackled by Tom Stoppard.

Weitz and his brother Paul Weitz have directed 'Down To Earth' and the successful adaptation of Nick Hornby's 'About A Boy'.

Breaking News: Chris Weitz is going to direct His Dark Materials, and will also write the screenplay.

Chris Weitz is in early talks to direct His Dark Materials, the first installment of Philip Pullman's children's fantasy book trilogy at New Line, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The trilogy - "The Golden Compass," "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" - revolves around two children who live in parallel worlds surrounded by a cast of shape-shifting creatures. Described as darker in tone than the "Harry Potter" books, the series tackles themes of childhood, innocence and sin, and combines magic, science and theology.

Weitz will also write the screenplay. An earlier draft was written by Tom Stoppard. Chris and his brother Paul directed American Pie, Down to Earth and About a Boy.

Sam Mendes, one of the director that have been related to directing the His Dark Materials Trilogy is going to direct the movie 'Jarhead'. This will mean that Sam Mendes won't be directing His Dark Materials. The list of directors is getting shorter and shorter...

Universal has signed up Sam Mendes to direct Jarhead. The script has been written by William Broyles based on the memoirs of Gul War veteran Anthony Swofford. The movie will follow Swofford's experiences during the Gulf War. "This is equal parts black humor, honesty, rage, lyricism, profanity and the mixture of machismo jarhead culture. With the exception of 'Three Kings,' this is a war that has been overlooked but which has a burning relevance to what is happening right now in the Middle East," Mendes said.

Thanks to Starcrossed!

I've searched through some archives and I was surprised that this article, which is one of the most important His Dark Materials related articles, wasn't in our archive yet.

As its first instalment of Lord of the Rings marches towards international box office takings of £500m, Variety reports New Line has bought the rights to Philip Pullman's award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy.

Although the series was written for children, the British author's tales of two youngsters who live in parallel worlds are laced with meditations on existence, religion and morality that reflect darker preoccupations than J K Rowling's Harry Potter series, which is seen as the most obvious point of comparison.