On the day of the trailer launch we have received a message from Chris Weitz – director of The Golden Compass – for you, the fans of His Dark Materials. In this message he reveals that he, together with Scholastic, New Line Cinema and Philip Pullman, has decided to move the final three chapters of The Golden Compass to the beginning of The Subtle Knife and he defends this choice to the fans. He also stresses that His Dark Materials is not made out of three stories, but about one – the story about Lyra.
Update: Read author Philip Pullman's response.
Dear fans of His Dark Materials,
For the past three years I (and a gigantic cast and crew of fans of the books) have been working to adapt The Golden Compass (aka Northern Lights). As you can imagine, the process can be both exhausting and exhilarating, and full of both challenges and surprises. Sometimes you discover reasons to modify the chronology or narrative path of the books in a way that serves the movie and the trilogy better.
I have decided, along with Scholastic and New Line and, most importantly, Philip Pullman, to shift the concluding three chapters of Book I of His Dark Materials to the beginning of the second film of our trilogy, The Subtle Knife.
To me, this provides the most promising conclusion to the first film and the best possible beginning to the second.
It has always been my main concern to portray Lyra's world and her adventures with integrity. Throughout this process I have been in close contact with Philip Pullman; and I would not be doing this without his approval. As Philip has said, His Dark Materials is not three stories but one story - the story of Lyra. And where we pause to take a breath in the telling of it is a matter of choice and taste. But I hope that when fans see the film they will find their fears put to rest and their hopes fulfilled. For the film to be judged on its own merits is all that I can ask for.
Many thanks for your time. I believe you will find The Golden Compass a fit tribute to His Dark Materials when it comes out in December; and in the meanwhile promise to work diligently on burnishing its details and providing a solid footing for the launch of The Subtle Knife.
Very Best
Chris Weitz
50 comments - Add yours
#1
The first thing that ran through my mind was, “Oh, gosh, it’s going to be ruined” when I read this, (in fact, it still is a little).
I suppose, though, it makes sense to have those last few chapters in the second movie for the sake of it being one whole story, instead of three.
Here’s hoping that it’ll work out!
# October 9, 2007 11:48 by bethie
#2 Greenlight for HDM II?
Does this mean “The Subtle Knife” has been greenlighted by New Line? I’m confused ‘cause in the extended trailer it clearly shows Asriel erecting his equipment to build his bridge to another world from the last chapter of the book. Will these scenes be scraped? Will they be put on the DVD? Or will they indeed appear in a definite second film? Anyone else worried? I’m just now beginning to live the fact that the agnostic (and one of the truly original & interesting aspects of Mr. Pullman’s great work) themes have been watered down. It’s what distinguishes it from so much other white adolescent male wish fulfillment fantasy literature (Tolkien, Lewis, Rowlings, etc.)
# October 9, 2007 12:03 by consciousparticles
#3 This is the death of this movie
Seriouslly, they are really crap people, I don-t understant why this. This is the Death of GOLDEN COMPASS (the movie).
If this is true, (that is true because it-s chris weitz, hope is not a joke of a anti his dark materials fan, because it seems) I WON-T GO TO SEE THE FILM, and seriously, I will ask every fan to not to go and see it. They have to lear that they can-t play with fanbase.
# October 9, 2007 12:51 by situ
#4
I personally feel that this change makes a lot of sense and probably is inevitable. The ending of Northern Lights is a great ending of a great book, but it doesn’t make a good movie ending. A cliffhanger as the ending of the first movie wouldn’t work well for anyone who hasn’t read the books.
In essence, nothing of the storyline is changed – just moved.
# October 9, 2007 13:27 by L!NK
#5
What a better ending for a film that this marvellous ending of the novel.
# October 9, 2007 13:30 by situ
#6 Calm down
This means that they are very committed to making the sequels which is a very good thing. They aren’t cutting out those scenes with Lord Asriel and the aurora, just moving them to the second film. Just have patience and wait until you can view The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife back-to-back. Like Chris Weitz said, His Dark Materials is all just one big story and doesn’t have to be three completely distinct ones.
# October 9, 2007 14:03 by daftbrain
#7
As a rabid fan of the books, I have to admit I am disappointed that some of the most poignant scenes in the first installment from its conclusion are being moved to the next installment. However, this choice does make sense once you consider the story as a piece of cinema. Entering a different universe and the death of Roger would serve as an excellent way to start the second installment. Yes, I am upset by this choice, but it makes sense. Once we ignore our instant purist tendencies with regard to these novels, we can appreciate what a sensible choice this was.
I think it’s safe to say, then, that New Line intends to continue this franchise. Thank God.
# October 9, 2007 14:58 by cantado
#8 Have some faith, people
I can’t believe how up in arms the response to this seems to be. If it’s ok with Pullman, it’s certainly ok with me, and if it makes for a more satisfying and better-flowing movie experience, then all the better!
And it’s an enormous show of Chris’s respect for the fans that he should tell us directly.
Good show, Chris.
# October 9, 2007 15:14 by deejay
#9
I’m quite upset with this...but I guess it makes sense. At least this gives us hope for a second movie =D Though they have included the last scene with Lord Asriel and Mrs Coulter in the aurora, and have showed it on trailers...so I’m not sure how they’re going to pull that off.
Personally I’m not very pleased with this decision, as the last three chapters are very exciting...but I suppose it’s the filmmakers decision and if PP approves then I suppose the film will turn out as good as we expect it to be =D
# October 9, 2007 15:16 by Anbaric Flame
#10
Well, I admit I’m disappointed as the last 3 chapters are great scenes, and who knows when the next film will come out. Since I don’t have the books handy, where will it end now? With Iorek’s victory? I think Lyra walking into another world is a pretty good cliffhanger ending, but then I suppose the casual movie-goer could be annoyed by that.
It gives us the second film to look forward to, I suppose.
# October 9, 2007 15:37 by Patsy
#11
While i’m very disappointed that they have moved the final Chapters to the TSK I think its for the best. I just pray that TGC does well enough at the box office to make the other two movies.
# October 9, 2007 15:48 by TowerDragon
#12
Perhaps it’s because I was left on a very similar cliffhanger for years from TSK to TAS but oddly enough this doesn’t sound bad at all to me. Still get my favorite flying jaw in there. It would end with the chapter “Mortal Combat” (That’s A Outrance for the Northern Lights copies and turns out The Golden Compass title...oddly enough suits much better for the film).
The negative end isn’t in The Golden Compass at all, rather how to get the same emotional impact of The Betrayl inside the start of a new movie. That’s the challenge. It would keep Roger’s death more recent-past though for Lyra’s decision to the land of the dead. Who knows, perhaps Roger’s role will be expanded.
Other than that everyone’s kind of missing a huge opportunity here: Lord Asriel’s Welcome brings the first true tie-in to standing religious dogma with the story of Adam and Eve. I won’t say there’s potential there, but I’ll certainly flail my arms at it a bit.
# October 9, 2007 15:56 by Phit
#13
I admire Chris for being brave enough to let the fans know about the changes but sad because I was REALLY looking forward to the ending with Asriel, the aurora, and the child cutting machine. I wonder if this means The Subtle Knife will definitely be getting made. I dearly hope so. I very much want to see the whole story realized on the big screen!
# October 9, 2007 15:56 by whohash83
#14
But they did show scenes with the child cutting machine in the trailers didn’t they? And where shall it end? It seems to me now like it will end in mid-sentence (a bit like the second book.)
# October 9, 2007 16:26 by horst
#15
If the final 3 chapters are being cut out of the First film the chapters they are taking out are Lord Asriel’s Welcome, Betrayal, and The Bridge to the Stars thats chapters 21-23. Every thing up to the chapter Mortal Combat chapter 20 should be in the movie so if im not mistaken the Child cutting machine should be in TGC because the Silver Guillotine is chapter 16.
# October 9, 2007 16:41 by TowerDragon
#16
You are right; however, I was referring to Asriel’s machine to separate Roger from his Daemon thus splitting open the worlds. That scene won’t be in this film but apparently it will be in The Subtle Knife.
# October 9, 2007 16:45 by whohash83
#17
Ahhh if i’m not mistaken they only showed it in the Comic-con Trailer I could be wrong tho but they did show it in a Trailer yes. Its going to be very interesting to see how they end TGC
# October 9, 2007 16:50 by TowerDragon
#18
I don’t like this decision. The last three chapters are better where they are. The whole “Leaving it on a cliffhanger wont work” is false, it worked fine enough in LOTR. The only reasons I can think of for this is either to make up for the shorter length of TSK, or to make up for its rather slow start.
# October 9, 2007 17:29 by edd8990
#19
Either of those reasons justify making these changes. It’ll benefit the movie trilogy as a whole.
# October 9, 2007 17:35 by L!NK
#20
Why can’t CW just leave things as they are? I really hope that taking the last three chapters out will help the film trilogy as a whole, but can’t help feeling somewhat disapointed. Being left on a cliffhanger at the end of The Northern Lights, was precisely what made me eager to go out and buy the subtle knife.
# October 9, 2007 18:38 by msspookymonroex
#21
He does seem pretty confident that they’ll be making TSK. Besides, the changes that were made to LOTR worked fine so I don’t think there’s really any need for us to start throwing wobblies over this.
# October 9, 2007 18:51 by asrielsman
#22
This is still troubling because the smarmy execs at New Line (Ordesky, Emmerich et al) have stressed that production of the sequels is entirely dependent on the financial success of The Golden Compass. What will suck more?: if CW has made a brilliant film and nobody goes and to see it or a mediocre one and everyone goes to see it? Damn I hope it’s good and lots of people go to see it ‘cause the books are fuckin’ genius!!! And remember folks, LOTR was filmed altogether, HDM isn’t. New Line is shitting their pants probably!
# October 9, 2007 19:11 by consciousparticles
#23
Well if they don’t make the next two movies, hopefully the last 3 chapters will be included on the special “extended edition” DVD.
# October 9, 2007 19:51 by Larry
#24
I think New Line wants to end the movie with a big fight scene. That would probably work as an ending but I think the death of Roger is also a good ending. I think they want the ending to feel final so if the rest aren’t made then the people who do see it will have a complete story.
The reason they didn’t do that with LOTR is cause the movies were already shot and coming out a year later. No matter what happens TSK will not be coming out in Dec. 2008.
# October 9, 2007 21:15 by xchrisvx
#25
I am not sure how this will work in the film, so I’m not going to say it’s a bad decision.
However, how is LA and the aurora, and Lyra following him not a good cliffhanger?
I guess that they are shifting some more action from film one to film two and that they are going to cut big junks of the more philosophical parts in the second and above all the third book. And *that’s* a bad decision I’m afraid. :-/
Still trying to be positive about it though. Films simply work differently than books. The result might still just be really good.
# October 9, 2007 22:18 by chastity
#26 people need to calm down
It’s not the end of the world. They’re moving the last chapter to the beginning of the next movie, it’s not like they’re taking it out completely. We all know that it’s one continuous story not 3 different stories so it’s conceivable that this would happen. It won’t affect the story and it’s really not a huge deal so I don’t know why everyone’s in freak-out mode. Just enjoy the movies and don’t stress about where each individual chapter is. As long as the story is told, that is the main thing.
# October 10, 2007 00:46 by cutiepie
#27 this really shows that there isnt a commitment to a trilogy
think about it, the only reason they would cut out the ending cliffhanger is because there will be closure just incase there wont be any support or financing for a sequel. it makes sense. if the movie fails (which in all reality it might) they would be able to cut their losses and accept that they might have made a solid movie. it will probably end with the battle of iorik for his kingdom.
# October 10, 2007 02:42 by kauldron26
#28 No, there IS commitment
Here’s how this works:
LOTR got away with a “cliff hanger” becuase it’s LOTR. Everyone (nearly) has read it or knows someone that has. On top of that the ending provided some small closure as it saw the end of the fellowship.
The “POP” ending reveaing Asriel’s true nature, and the sudden loss of Roger, a beloved character, followed by some SFX and then the final credits will leave your typical movie goer frustrated and angry. There would be no sequel.
This is a good choice, and will be a great podcast topic for our show this week. :)
(http://theelfanddwarf.podbean.com)
# October 10, 2007 04:23 by Rorlins
#29 #27 I think you got it mixed up
If anything they’re purposefully ending it on a cliffhanger so that the second movie will be made and people will want to see it.
Before it was just Lyra walking into the Northern Lights, and boom right there is a complete story. You don’t have to see the next one. With this ending you want to know whether Lyra survives or not, therefore this new ending is a cliffhanger. So no, they didn’t cut out a cliffhanger “just in case”, they added one which is an excellent sign of the following two movies to come :)
# October 10, 2007 10:26 by cutiepie
#30 Just a thought...
It’s been a while since I read them so if this is wrong ignore me.. but am I right in thinking Lord Asriel is barely actually seen in the second book, if at all?
I dunno if anyone’s noticed but TGC has been heavily marketed on Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, despite them (especially in Craig’s case) not having much screen time..
Could it be that they’ve done it this way so that Asriel can appear at the start of the movie, much like TGC and therefore they can again use Daniel Craig prominently in the marketing? Maybe the studio would be more inclined to greenlight the sequel if this is the case..
# October 10, 2007 11:35 by Mumblingidiot
#31 Not so sure this is wise..
I can’t help but feel the ending in the book would suit it much better, it’s a wonderful feeling, seeing the ‘new’ world (at least in the book!), but cutting it out sounds like they don’t want to film/create that city just yet in case they want to change it, perhaps?
Either way, if he hadn’t mentioned this in the first place I wouldn’t have noticed, but since it has been mentioned I now know that it’s being cut short somewhat - nice he bothered to mention this but it has brought back memories of the end of the book and leaves me yearning to see the world beyond Lyra’s already!
# October 10, 2007 11:40 by Spew
#32 A little disappointed, but then again....
It’s still going to be great. TGC film will now end on a triumphal note, and TSK film will now have a rather faster paced start. Also as others have pointed out, TSK can now have Daniel Craig on the billing. All in all although I would have liked to see those scenes, I don’t mind waiting a bit longer to see them.
# October 10, 2007 13:36 by Andy-C
#33
The Craig and Kidman thing is likely exactly it - took me a bit to realize that though. Kidman is in TSK to some extent and her appearances can easily be lengthened, her role elevated: she could even fully take over from Lord Boreal. It would be that Daniel Craig wouldn’t appear at all in The Subtle Knife. Of course they’d have the opportunity to hire some other huge name for Mary Malone and Grumman, Sam Elliot will steal the show anyway as he should - if done properly you can eat you hat on that one.
# October 10, 2007 15:27 by Phit
#34
They could have left the ending alone and introduced dream sequences in the second movie that include Lord Asriel. Maybe they could even make up something where he starts to leave middle earth and sees his unborn son - oops, sorry - wrong movie.
# October 10, 2007 19:13 by Larry
#35 How about a compromise?
For example, some already-produced teaser scenes from the next movie at the end of the reel following the credits… Any chance we could get that?
# October 10, 2007 20:27 by subversive
#36 eh
bad idea. really bad idea.
the whole point in lyra’s eyes is to get to lord asriel...so we just forget about that until the next movie?
so basically the next movie will start with roger dying? im not sure thatll have enough emotional impact as in the books...viewers will almost forget who roger is with the gap between the movies.
then what? ok rogers dead, lyra steps into the new world and we...flash over to will?
i think this makes him a less significant character. Instead of reading some of his story and finding about him, he becomes another main character, i think this way he will just become a companion of lyras.
i really hope this isnt serious
# October 10, 2007 22:30 by vinny
#37
I don’t really see the big deal in all of this. But that might be due to the fact that I haven’t read The Golden Compass in a while so I don’t fully appreciate what might happen as a result of this new cut-off.
I did want to see how they would manage the ending of TGC with just a little bit of closure. It seems weird to have that scene in the beginning of TSK. But we’ll see. I’m not going to judge until I see it.
# October 11, 2007 00:50 by Miss Bear
#38
Simply; I think we’re in for a real treat.
# October 11, 2007 02:36 by AryaAurora
#39 This Just In!
The studio has just decided to re-cast Lyra with Dakota Fanning.
“It was an easy decision,” cites an executive. “One Dakota for another. Now all we have to do is change the last name on all the posters.”
# October 11, 2007 07:49 by NYNarwhal
#40
Why can’t we just wait to see the movie? I did really appreciate Weitz message:it wasn’t necessary, after all. New Line and the director decided a huge cut, end of the story. But CW wrote it, and in my opinion we can be happy for two things: first, from what he says, tSK will surely be shooted;second, they use to think about what they’re doing before doing it.
I can’t imagine how they’ll solve the ending of this movie being this cut. By the way I’m not so sure that Roger’s death at the beginning of tSK would be that bad: after all, audience couldn’t remember him the same, and Lyra decisions and sense of guilty and probably her entire relationship with Will wouldn’t be the same, forgetting how much Roger was important to her.
Don’t know, I’m really curious...Without prejudices! ;)
# October 11, 2007 19:40 by Lyrael
#41
I think it sucks, and this is my main reason.
Putting the ending of TGC to the start of TSK would disrupt the feel of the movies. The end just wouldn’t get the thought it deserves if it is followed by a shot of our world with Will etc. People would be expecting Lyra to just drop in, and would grow impatient with this new storyline.
It deserves a climactic ending, to make people think about it, or want to see more. It is the dramatic punch, the fact that Lyra is all alone and the complete sense of betrayal that would stay long in the memory and inch this to the top of the box office and hopefully, the Oscar nomination lists.
That final shot would just work so well, and I think that it won’t be recognised if put at the start of the second film.
# October 12, 2007 12:07 by Roll_with_it
#42
I have to say that I am in two minds about this.
On the one hand I am glad that they told us, I think that it means they are really thinking of the fans. This also might mean that the film is already long enough which means they have not cut out loads of the book, to fit it into a movie. I know I would rather that they did this than have lots of important parts of the book cut out.
However I think that this might make the film feel incomplete, as all through the book, Lyra is looking for Roger and wanting to rescue her father, and I think that these storylines not being resolved will leave the audience feeling a bit empty. (although I have just remembered that they had actually rescued Roger at this point) I agree with the two posts above, Roger’s death will not have to emotional impact it would have had if it was in the first film, one of the reasons it was so emotional in the book was that Lyra had spent the entire story trying to save him. Also as the post above says there will not be the feeling that Lyra is now completely on her own, and she walks completely on her own into the other world., and a sense that she is leaving the North behind. I thought personally that was a fantastic ending to the book.
I think that also it might ruin the second movie, as the book is mainly told from Will’s point of view and is mainly Will’s story to find his father.
Still unsure, wont see it as soon as it comes out, will wait for the reviews, see what the other fans think. I dont think I could stand another disapointment like I had with the ‘Eragon’ film!!
# October 13, 2007 16:11 by carrie
#43 petition
come on people sign this petition!
http://www.petitiononline.com/hdm1jwm9/petition.html
# October 14, 2007 20:14 by situ
#44
They did the same thing with The Two Towers and Return of the King. It made sense and didn’t affect the storyline at all. Though it would be great to end the movie with Lyra stepping into the aurora (and better still to open TSK straight with Will sans explanation), let’s trust the filmmakers and the author. The best movie adaptations preserve the spirit of the books, not necessarily every small detail. I’m still can’t wait for December.
# October 19, 2007 20:25 by ohtarea
#45
TSK could start with a “story-so-far” flashback (like The Two Towers), followed by the last 3 chapters.
Or maybe it should start like the book, with Will and his mother, and his escape to Citegazze. Then when he meets Lyra, she could tell her story with flashbacks, including the betrayal and Roger’s death.
But that’s two years away - plenty of time for speculation.
# October 28, 2007 22:04 by lxcoza
#46
While I, like most, am not particularly fond of not seeing some of the most powerful scenes at the end of TGC, I do agree it took a lot of guts and honesty for Chris Weitz to come forward and let us know what’s happening in hopes of making things better. I can’t think of many directors who explicitly made statements to the fanbase in order to try and sooth their nerves. And judging by PP’s response, he isn’t worried either.
And I definitely wouldn’t worry about New Line not greenlighting the sequels- TGC is gonna blow the box office apart.
# November 11, 2007 21:26 by Optik
#47
OHMIGOD!!!! i cannot believe wot day have dun!!! i went to the cinema not knowing that this was going to happen and looking forward to seeing the best part of the book. instead, the film finished so abruptly that me and my brother both waited for the credits to end as we were sure there was some kind of mistake! it totally ruined what was a fantastic film. The warning of that omission from the book should have been made public on national tv for those of us that have read and loved and re-read those books so many times!
# December 6, 2007 20:58 by bringbaksirius
#48
“The “POP” ending reveaing Asriel’s true nature, and the sudden loss of Roger, a beloved character, followed by some SFX and then the final credits will leave your typical movie goer frustrated and angry. There would be no sequel.”
Er, not at all. It would have been a great dramatic conclusion to the movie, to have Asriel, whose rescue was a major goal at that point, suddenly show his true colors, and Lyra grimly following him into another world. Having that at the beginning of TSK doesn’t have nearly the impact (perhaps the point? Let’s not upset folks and all that?) since the whole urgency of the rescue effort won’t be fresh in people’s minds, thus the betrayal not as stunning.
# December 9, 2007 22:47 by Ulfhednar
#49 What an absolute disappointment the film was
I went to see the film on Saturday, nearly shaking with excitement at the fact that The Northern Lights had been brought to the Big Screen.
I can honestly say after 2 hours of watching it, I want those 2 hours of my life back!
Everything up until Lyra went north was good, it (kind of) followed the book, and the SFX was excellent.
But before Lyra even got to the North, things went horribly wrong. Names and events were changed - dramtically, and for the worse. At the end of the film, I just sat in my cinema seat with my chin on the floor in utter disbelief at the poorly-constructed ending. What happened to the sky being broken apart?
Why show the actual ending of the book in the official trailer, only to omit it from the film?!
Despite the sheer disappointment I felt from watching The Golden Compass, I would still go to watch the other 2 films when they are shown.
This has been my most highly anticipated film since the first Lord Of The Rings, and I feel I have been let down by Chris Weitz terribly. I have never been so disappointed about a film that I was so excited about going to see.
# December 11, 2007 22:04 by Fayeloicia
#50
I really wish I had read this before seeing the movie. I was shocked when the film ended where it did, although it did make a bit of sense as well. It would not have upset me nearly as much if I had been prepared.
# January 1, 2008 16:29 by Miss_Parker