Dakota Blue Richards has been cast in the lead role of Lyra Belacqua. Richards, 12 years old, landed the role after filmmakers conducted an extensive casting search. More than 10,000 young girls attended open calls in Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, and Kendal, before Richards was chosen from the Cambridge call for a further audition and subsequent screen test.
Philip Pullman commented, “I'm delighted with the casting of Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra. As soon as I saw Dakota's screen test, I realized that the search was over. Dakota has just the combination of qualities that make up the complicated character of this girl, and I very much look forward to seeing the film take shape, with Dakota's Lyra at the heart of it.”
New Line have given the go ahead to production on [i]The Golden Compass[/i] film and filming will begin September 4th, for a scheduled November 16th, 2007 release date.
New Line Cinema Greenlights The Golden Compass for September 4 Start Date
12-year-old British schoolgirl to play Lyra in adaptation
of the first of Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy.
Film set for November 16, 2007 release date
LONDON (June 28, 2006) – New Line Cinema has officially greenlit production on The Golden Compass, the highly anticipated adaptation of the first of author Philip Pullman’s bestselling His Dark Materials trilogy, it was announced today by New Line’s Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. Production on the $150 million-budgeted film is scheduled to begin September 4 in the UK, with Oscar-nominated writer/director Chris Weitz (About a Boy, Antz) at the helm.
“The Golden Compass is the most ambitious film that New Line has undertaken since The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and we have assembled a remarkable creative team, headed by Chris Weitz, to bring it to fruition,†comment New Line’s Shaye and Lynne.
Newcomer Dakota Blue Richards has been cast in the lead role of Lyra Belacqua. Richards landed the role after filmmakers conducted an extensive casting search throughout England, during which they saw more than 10,000 young girls. Open calls were held in Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, and Kendal, before Richards was chosen from the Cambridge call for an audition and subsequent screen test.
“Dakota made what should have been an extremely difficult decision quite easy,†says writer/director Weitz. “We wanted a completely new face for Lyra, but I was surprised that any young girl, especially one without training, could light up the screen as Dakota does.â€Â
Pullman adds, “I’m delighted with the casting of Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra. As soon as I saw Dakota’s screen test, I realized that the search was over. Dakota has just the combination of qualities that make up the complicated character of this girl, and I very much look forward to seeing the film take shape, with Dakota’s Lyra at the heart of it.â€Â
Helping to bring The Golden Compass to the big screen will be an all-star production team that includes Oscar-winning production designer Dennis Gassner (Road To Perdition, Big Fish), Oscar-nominated costume designer Ruth Myers (L.A. Confidential, Emma), and Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Mike Fink (X-Men, X2, Road To Perdition).
The Golden Compass is being produced by Deborah Forte of Scholastic Entertainment and Weitz’s Depth of Field production company. Paul Weitz (an Oscar nominee for About a Boy) and Andrew Miano will serve as executive producers on the film. Bill Carraro will also serve as a producer on the film.
Based on the bestselling and award-winning Pullman novels, the His Dark Materials trilogy is comprised of The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. It revolves around a young girl who travels to the far north to save her best friend. Along the way, she encounters shape-shifting creatures, witches, and a variety of otherworldly characters in parallel universes.
ok, who cares about the picture? yall need to chill out about it, leave the poor girl alone, she's prolly already terrified enough………….
isnt it a happy coincidence that dakota blue richards is southern, posh and ppppretty? FIX FIX FIX i bet her ****ing parents paid pullman an extra billion quid. this is truly unfair. us northerners didn't have a chance in hell. why the **** hold auditions in kendal then??? Also word says Richards has no experience, whats with that? this is a multi million pound blockbuster, you need an actress with a certain degree of experience. The northern female acting community, be strong. We'lll get through this together. Thanks a bucket Dakota…
P.S what's with her name? And where are the pictures???? Cant wait to burn them…..
I wouldn't worry about her not having enough experience–Have you ever seen the movie whale rider? The girl in that movie was a frst time actress to, and she was brilliant.
I trust Philip Pullman to recognize a good Lyra.
I wish I was British, and could act. And that I looked like Lyra.
Hello! My name is H and I haven't posted on here since Lyra was chosen. I don't know why! This has been the first time I've returned for about 3 months…i think… Anyway, I feel sorry for this Dakota person because everyone wants to kill her, well, they used to anyway, and no one's giving her a chance. As so many people hate her now, this opinion of her will probably ruin the film for you and her popularity wont get any better… by the way, this last comment wasn't meant to be offensive or anything like that…Dakota Blue Richards is rumoured to be a stage name, for her privacy, so until her true name is revealed (if it is a stage name) then the pictures probably wont be revealed either. So, anyway, that's what I had to say! :smile:, I might come on some other time to see what everyone else says!
Hx
Man, this forum is priceless :laughing:
could we posssibly be able to see a picture of the new lyra?
I agree with Zoe, in all her wishes of being british and having acting skills. I could look like Lyra if I tried, though. An Irish Lyra.
I really do envy Dakota. And all of you who are British and did go audition.
And I really hope this movie is not "Disneyfied". Because then I wouldn't be able to live. I dearly love these books and I really hope the movies do them jsutice.
the poor child is gonna be massacred when the photos are released!! :laughing:
To ippidip I feel really sorry for Dakota. I bet she really deserved this. If you went to the auditions and you got the part you wouldn't like it if you went on this website and saw a load of people being really horrid. Your saying her parents probably payed phillip pullman. That doesn't happen with films sometimes it happens with plays but thats it. Also you said she had no expierance. Well that's because on the sudition form they specificaly said you don't need any experience at all you just need to live in the UK. So what, if you don't like Dakota that's your problem but i recon shes probably an amazing actress and probably really kind. Were you like this when Emma watson got the part as Hermione in Harry Potter. I'll bet you'll say no. But you only say that now because she's big and famous in a few years you'll say Dakota is great. Give her chance.
Good Luck Dakota Blue richards. I hope you go really far which you probably will. I hope the films are as big Harry Potter. I belive in you you've got a friend. I'm your #1 fan. I will always be i hope you read this. Hope you become a big actress. Remeber i'm always here for you just come on this website and i'll chat to you
From Daisy
P.s cool name
i envy dekota lots but i also feel glad for ger. i went to the cambridge auditon and got videod i even got a letter saying that myscreen play had been veiwed and considered!!!!!!!!!!! i may regreat it but i wish i could be in a film.
:angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:I SHOULD BE WHERE DEKOTA IS WHY HER NOT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :angry: :angry: :crying: :crying:i also think that if they didnt pick me they should of got a real star to do it. p.s i am lickerishgal
hello is any body here???????? :laughing: 😉 🙂 :laughing:
I think it goes: Is there anybody out there? Just not if you can hear me. Is there anybody home? :laughing: :laughing:
:sad:i cant belive some of you just be grateful you got far. be grateful you went. I wanted to go but my parents couldnt take me. Think how i feel. Yeh it would of been great to get the part or to have gone, but i don't envy her. I'm her number one fan wooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
from Daisy
i have benn abroad for THREE WEEKS and i just got back. any pictures? noooooo!
:angry: hurry up already! how long does it TAKE??????? 🙁
Hi im new here but u probably wont hear from me that often anyway. Cant believe i only just found out bout Dakota- bit slow huh! I only got back from Spain at 4 this morning! Saw it on newsround website an been searchin 4 pics like a loony still no sign? Oh well congrats 2 her. Comiserations 2 me.
By da way I think u mean nod if u can hear me… n take ur convo some place else please.
🙂 I agree with you Daisy/Dakota's #1 Fan! I think that she deserved it, and I'm glad that they didn't pick a star. I think that would ruin it. I also envy all of you who even did get to go, I couldn't even if I could convince my parents to fly me all the way from the US, so, be glad you got to have that opertunity! I hope that if you read this Dakota, you know that not EVERYONE dislikes you!
Dakota's #1 fan-
we should start a fan club!
I feel sick. I got into the top 40 but didn't get the part. I am really upset cos I'm not even an extra. All my friends say I am LYRA and are angry and upset I didn't get it. But me? Disappointed but I 'ent givin up trying at performing! I'm determined and can do anything! I don't mean to be mean but I hope Dakota is a real let-down. Everyone says it should be me…
Dakota should also say thanks for the part. By the sounds of things she isn't very grateful. I've been through a lot in life and have had to fight. I recentiy had my aura-photo taken and my personality described makes up the same characteristics. I look like Lyra a bit too (but I am ginger).
Bye, bye!
MischaXXX
I'm glad that you almost got the part, but you should also be grateful that you were so close! I would have died to even get to go to the audition, but i live in the us.
so, i am sure that dakota is very pleased with herself, and i'm sure that she didn't want to make you feel sick, I mean it wasn't really her fault. she just tried her best, and they picked her. so be mad at new line, and not her!
Hey everybody! I loooove HDM- the trilogy is the best stuff I have ever read- its amazing. And I really love Lyra and Will- I'd have given anything to play Lyra. But (sadly) I am Indian and I live in S.A so there was never a chance in hell, and though I envy Dakota I love the books more than I want the part. If all you guys are really HDM fans you will stop hating on Dakota and give her your full support because she will bring all the magic we experienced to life. Isn't it the books that made you love HDM? The story? :wink:SO DAKOTA DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE JEALOUS DISILLUSIONED PEOPLE HATING YOU, BUT THINK ABOUT THE ENORMITY OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR EVERY HDM FAN. XXX YOU GO GIRL 🙂
I am back! I'm mischa and I am(sort of) envious of Dakota, so nobody needs to think I'm jealous. If she's good, then ok that's fine, but if she's naff, and I'm doubting this cuz' they wouldn't have chosen her, then HA!
They should have chosen the real Lyra. Where does this girl come from? Cambridge? Then she's not likely to be built for tough northern weather. I live close to scotland. My friend, when she first read the book, she recommended the book for me to read because we're so similar. She said I reminded her of her! Oh well…
I wonder what she's like.
If anyone knows her, please tell us all about her! She might turn out to be really cool. Still upset I'm not Lyra. I don't think they saw completely the real me(LYRA!)
By the way orange, I am very grateful and it was a great experience. Sorry you didn't get to audition. You'd probably have done well too!
thank you! 🙂
Mischa, so, what did they have you do? at the audition, i mean. it must have been really cool acually audutioning for a real movie, and knowing that it was acually possible that you could get it! It is great you got so close! I hope that dakota is great, and i'm sure she is, but i bet there are a lot of girls out there that would have been great! including you! I really want to see a picture of Dakota!
Hi! We had to read out 2(if you were good)scenes in the first audition and do an interview, and have your photo taken twice. In the second we messed about a bit playing games then we had to make up what the person next to us's secret was and why they were famous. Then we had to walk around the room in a particular mood or character. Then we got into groups of three and had to improvise. We had to pretend there were two doors: From one came the sound of whistling and the other children playing. We were all given specific characteristics and had to figure a way out. (We were filmed during all this) Then we went home.
:sad:does anyone here know what Dakota looks like and how she behaves (any information will do)? pLEASE TELL US! I WANNA KNOW WHY I DIDN'T GET THE PART!
Actually, coming to think of it, I think there was a girl in my group called Dakota… but I doubt it. She had a face like a pug, grey eyes, blonde hair and was short and completely rubbish at acting. I had to improvise with her and she spent FOREVER deciding who she waned to be. But then again, I may have mistaken the name on her sticker when that girl was really called Danielle or someting…
hey Micsha 🙂 do i know you?
No? you sound just like my friend…
if it is you, missing you!
Sorry guys! I'm not actually called Mischa and I don't really have red hair- but I did get that far in the auditions. Everything else was true. I thought I'd protect my identity cause a girl in my group was called Mischa, she had red hair and was really good/amazing… Sorry Mischa if you're out there. I was being selfish.
If you do become famous I'm sorry, cause there might be bad press about you… :crying:
OMG! I can't believe you'd be that mean "whatever-u-r-called" (fake Mischa) That is cruel! I bet the real Mischa deserves to be Lyra more than you! By the sounds of things, she would have been good. But when u say what u did in the auditions, that's true isn't it?
:angry: At least I was honest! Anyway, yeah the audition stuff was true. 🙂
🙁 By the way, nobody can be extras. We rang up and asked. They're just using the kids that live close to where they're filming which is really mean. WHAT ABOUT US? :crying:
it is too bad none of us can be extras… i mean i couldn't either way, because i'm american, but they should at least pick people who read the books!
and mischa (or not mischa) i think it was fine that you said a fake name, because it isn't like orange is my name or anything, i just saw an orange, and wrote orange.
the audition sounds awsome! i realllllllllly wish i could have auditioned! too bad for me!
I hope that person you saw at the audition isn't dakota, because if it is, I am refusing to watch the movie! :angry:
🙂 I totally agree! Thanks. We should start some kind of club, maybe?
This is Adam here (read my earlier post for info). Sorry for taking so long to reply.. i'll answer your questions later today or tomorrow as i'm busy right now, i just wanted to let you know i haven't forgotten you all (and i'll send you some current news, Willl)
Adam.
defenitly! what kind of club? 🙂 🙂
a Piczo website (free) for opinions on Harry Potter and The Golden Compass. We could post the address on here to advertise!
heloo, fake Misha/S? it's me. if you're not Mishca, yr v. likely my friend in NZ. are you? one word: Bopy.
ok, so you mean we would have a web site that would have links to harry potter/hdm web sites? 😉
*sigh* okay, can i get in on this website thing? i don't want to be ignored, you should know. 'Mischa', the piczo site sounds great, you've made a few before, right? KK
hi orange!are you c? saxaphone!
i totally agree with orange!I was SO SAD i couldn't audition because i live in the us also :crying:. anyway, "fake mischa", you are so lucky you at least got to audition!!!! and congradulations for making it to the top 40! I bet dakota will be great because pullman likes her!!!!!!! congragulations to anyone who did good in the auditions!GO DAKOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Hi n! haha! are you going to have convorsations with yourself? 🙂
maybe….. :laughing:
ok, llml 🙂
n, are you also rin? 😉 🙂
c-check email 😉