Bettany & Kidman = Asriel & Coulter?
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The Daily Mail is claiming that Paul Bettany is near taking the role of Lord Asriel in the forthcoming His Dark Materials movies. The paper says that he is “facing the last hurdle in negotiations.” Following up on its previous claim that Nicole Kidman has been offered the Mrs Coulter role, it says that “people on the film” have been telling others that the star will be in the movie and that she has “agreed to cut her multi-million-dollar fee.” “[Paul and Nicole] get on, so him being in the film is something Nicole is taking into consideration,” one executive reportedly told the Mail. Read more.

The article also says that whilst “principal photography” begins in September, New Line have already “begun shooting discreetly in the UK.” It also mentions that Weitz has officially hired an actress – Claire Higgens, who has won the Olivier Award thrice. This may be her (see photo).

Update: The Mail, whilst reporting on Kidman's move to Britain, claim that she is doing so in order to shoot the film. They say, “Nicole's agents and executives from New Line spent over two months at what were described by one source at the studio as 'complex' negotiations to secure the actress's services.” Read more.

Note: This story is still highly unconfirmed. The Mail have a history of making up rumours, having insisted for years (even before the film had a director) that Kidman was 'on the verge' of taking the role. That latest article, for example, deceptively states that “author Pullman revealed that he had always visualised Nicole playing the part of the glamorous sable-coated Mrs Coulter,” which in actuality was a remark made over five years ago.

A source of ours within New Line was unable to confirm any of this, so take all reports with a grain of salt.

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128 Responses to Bettany & Kidman = Asriel & Coulter?

  1. Jo says:

    That's not confirmation, just a rehash of the Daily Mail story. It even says at the bottom it's just rumour.

  2. Dave says:

    Yep, you're right. Hey, it's IGN, who reads *any* of their articles in their entirety?

  3. Willl says:

    It now says at the bottom it's a rumour 'cause I emailed them. :tongue:

  4. MCH says:

    Yeah, I reckon Jason Isaacs could work as Asriel, but I'm not sure. I think Asriel should either be played by someone INCREDIBLY famous, because that's how Asriel is in the books – everybody knows about him and who he is. Or he should be played by a complete unknown, to bring out that kind of mysterious side he has. And yep, I agree with rory – he should be tall dark and handsome, whoever he is! 😉

  5. Tony says:

    I would go with complete unknowns for the whole cast, that way I would be more into the moive and not the actor/actress.

  6. Wytchbabi says:

    I agree, it's very hard to place an actor for Asriel. I looked at actors for weeks and couldn't find one that totally fits. but whoever plays him, he should be tall, dark, handsome, fit, and glow with confidence and drive.

  7. rory says:

    somebody like…. well, LIKE viggo mortenson, but not him. someone more like the role he played in lotr, minus the "hiding from his destiny" glitch

  8. Alewyn says:

    Agreed. If Viggo wasn't already known I would've cast him as Asriel. We need someone with his presence.

  9. rory says:

    Exactly. He's the closest to Asriel who already has a name known in Hollywood. Maybe I've been watching too much Pirates, but what about Jack Davenport?

  10. Alewyn says:

    Yeah, he would be good too. But everyone'd be thinking "Commodore Norrington…"

  11. Tony says:

    I would'nt go with Jason Isaacs, Viggo, or Jack Davenport. In my oppinion Paul Bettany could do a better job then all three.

    Maybe the villian from first pirates moive though (I cant recall his name, or the name of the actor).

  12. rory says:

    Geoffry Rush? interesting… :wassat:

  13. MCH says:

    No offence or anything – but I'm not exactly sure about Geoffry Rush…
    But while we're on Pirates – I thought of Jonny Depp as Fra Pavel. Not how he is in Pirates, but more like he looks in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
    And I think Ian McKellan would be perfect as the master of Jordan if he hadn't just played Teabing in Da Vinci Code – the roles are too similar. Everyone would just think he was being typecast.

  14. tony says:

    Your right as I review the first moive again I see that Geoffry Rush was'nt such a good idea.

    Although Jonny Depp as Fra Pavel? I'm just hopping jhonny does'nt get single part in the movie. Nothing against him it's just that in most of his movies he adds a comical edge to it, and I don't think comedy and HDM will mix very well. Although I could be wrong.

  15. Alewyn says:

    Let's play a game! Everytime someone says an actor/tress, you have to say what role (s)he would fit best in your opinion. I'll go first.

    Johnny Depp would be Lee.

  16. mapthestars says:

    hewoooo :laughing:

  17. mapthestars says:

    sorry that was my sister :wassat:. um… I think Jasson Issac could be a good Asriel or even Faa; and Jasson can handel alot of make up. And if they hadn't gotten Dakota Richards I think a good Lyra could have been Evanna Lynch. She's the girl that got the role of Luna Loovegood in the Potter movie. But if they chosse Pual Bettnay as Asriel I won't be in tottal dienal. He sounds like a good actor. As to Nicole Kidman she will be a really good Mrs. Coulter.

  18. mapthestars says:

    if they were in the 2nd movie I think a really good actor for will can be Barney Clark, Harry Eden, Lewis Chase, or Theodore Chester. But then again it may be two more years till they start filming the Subtel Knife. I just wanted to know what you guys thought. As of Claire Higgens being MA Costa I think a better actress would be Helena Bonham-Carter but who ever they chose for the whole movie I don't care i'm just glad they are starting and have a projected realse date. And Wytchbabi I kinda like your Rebal attitude. :wink:. Man I am sorry for writing a lot it's just that i just got on and i don't want to forget anything.

  19. mapthestars says:

    Sorry this will be the last time. :wassat: :laughing:. I think in stead of Helena Bonham-Carter playing Ma Costa (like I said at first) I think she will be much better at playing Serafina Pekkala. Ok I'll shut up… for now. Sorry.

  20. Alewyn says:

    I like Helena Bonham-Carter. I'd probably have to put her as Serafina over Ma Costa too.

  21. Alewyn says:

    I've been running around the TGC IMDb page…did anyone notice that they have it listed to be filmed in Worcester College, Oxford?

  22. mapthestars says:

    Lo' Alewyn. I looked at IMDb because of what you said but I didn't see anything about part of I being filmed at Worcester College, Oxford. As For Lord Asriel what about Gary Oldman or Ralph Fiennes…it's just a suggestion. I need to get off this thing :wassat:

  23. Willl says:

    Chris Weitz mentioned in his interview with us that he's been to Worcester College to discuss filming there. Presumably that still stands.

  24. Tony says:

    Ralph Fiennes as Asriel might be good, but I am NOT choosing him for the part he played in Harry Potter.(I am a long time shall we say not H,P fan)

  25. Wytchbabi says:

    This is an idea for a cast list i came up with a while ago:
    Lord Asriel – Clive Owen or whoever
    Mrs. Coulter – Kate Winslet
    The Master – Ian McKellen
    John Faa – Sean Connery
    Lee Scoresby – Viggo Mortensen
    Serafina Pekkala – Estella Warren or whoever
    Juta Kamainen – Keira Knightly
    Lord Boreal – Anthony Hopkins

    waddya think? :wassat:

  26. mapthestars says:

    nice choices Wytchbabi. Gives a nice mix of old and new actor/actress. Just like Lyra's world is made out of old and new. This is mine:

    Lord Asriel – Ralph Fiennes
    Mrs. Coulter – Nicole Kidman
    The Master – Ben Kingsley
    John Faa – Jasson Issac
    Lee Scoresby – pual Bettany or someone new
    Serafina Pekkala – Helena Bonham-Carter
    Juta Kamainen – Helen McCrory
    Lord Boreal – Johnny Depp
    Roger – Theodore Chester

  27. MCH says:

    OK then, I'll add my list, too:

    Lord Asriel – Some completely unknown actor
    Mrs. Coulter – I have to agree with Pullman that Ncole Kidman would suit the role perfectly.
    The Master – Ian McKellen
    John Faa – Actually maybe Ian McKellan could play him instead…
    Lee Scoresby – Paul Bettany
    Serafina Pekkala – The one out of Da Vinci Code
    Juta Kamainen – Catherine Zeta-Jones
    Lord Boreal – Perhaps Ian Lee?

    I'm not sure – you may all totally disagree and think I'm bonkers, but never mind. 🙂

  28. Wytchbabi says:

    OOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! Audrey Tateu as Serafina?!?! hm………..methinks we likes it precious…

  29. Alewyn says:

    But for mine you have to pretend that their not already well known and that I'm not choosing them just because I'm in love with most of them…

    Coulter: Kidman
    Asriel: Viggo <3
    Lyra/Will: Unknowns
    John Faa: Jeremy Irons
    Lee: David Wenham (don't ask…)
    Baruch/Balthamos: Ewan McGregor and/or Elijah Wood and/or Hugh Dancy
    The Master: Pullman himself
    Serafina: Helena Bonham-Carter
    Mary Malone: Rachel Weisz
    John Parry: Sean Penn

  30. MCH says:

    Alewyn: Yeah I like the idea of Ewan McGregor as Baruch or Balthamos, but I'm not too convinced about Elijah Wood. No offence. 🙂
    Although I did think that, should they go on to make all the books into films, the main guy out of Full Monty (sorry I can't remember his name) would be a good choice for John Parry.
    And Julie Andrews would be good as Ma Costa. As for Metatron I think he needs to be somebody young. Someone who can just ooze sex. Can anyone think of someone?

  31. mapthestars says:

    Alewyn: I agree with MCH that Ewan would make a wounderful Baruch or Balthamos but not Mister Wood. MCH: Your choice for Ma Costa Being Julie Andrews I don't really like. Now don't get me wroung I love Julie Andrews movie's ecept that I don't think she fits the charter of Ma Costa. Whenever I thought of Ma Costa I pictured her darkley tan as thought she is ALWAYS out on the boat. Plus I Thought of her being slightly heavy set but yet has some build and also gives you the sense that you don't want to mess with her (think about when Ma Costa shoke Lyra after Roger went missing.). Finally that once you get to know her you see her soft Motherly side and she is in her Mid-forty's. And as for the Metatron what about Hayden Christensen.

  32. MCH says:

    mapthestars: Sorry – momentary brain lapse – I didn't mean Julie Andrews I meant Julie Walters. Oh the shame! 🙁 Sorry.
    But I'm not sure about Hayden Christensen – his face is to kind of soft, and they need someone whose face has a harder profile. So he can ooze rough, powerful sex, not nice sweet sex among the daisies. Like Ryan Phillippe in Crual Intentions.

  33. Tony says:

    Anone else see this.

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/fullcredits

    Adam Godley …. Pantalaimon

  34. mapthestars says:

    Its ok MCH we all have brain farts 🙂 😉 :wassat: :laughing: :tongue:. At first when I read your post I thought you said Walters too but then I did a double take and saw Andrews. But I agree with you now that Julie Walters would make a PERFECT Ma Costa. and any ways that's what were here for, to find our brain farts :smile:. As for the Metatron I will ask my Sister.

  35. mapthestars says:

    Tony: yeah I seen that before on the 22 of July when Alewyn mentioned that they listed part of it to be filmed at Worcester College, Oxford but I thought that was old news. Obvilsly it is not from your reaction. MCH: I asked my sister and all she said was Jhonny Depp and Orlando Bloom but I don't like either of them. :wassat:

  36. Ted says:

    I'd rather see Jon English as John Faa he's got that gypsy look and is a wonderful actor too.

  37. Wytchbabi says:

    i still say that Sean Connery would be perfect for John Faa.

  38. MCH says:

    Wytchbabi: Nah, I can't say I'm all that keen on Sean Connery – he says 'sh' instead of 's' all the time. I know it's a petty thing to bother about, but I want these movies to be just right.
    Mapthestars: Nah you're right, Jonny Depp has too much of a fan culture to play Metatron – the true 'bad guy'. And Orlando Bloom just looks too soft. Metatron needs to be ruggedly good-looking (kinda like Viggo Mortensen) but young, and just OOOZING sex and passion, (maybe like Colin Firth in the famous 'look' – across the room in Pride and Prejudice – if you don't know what I'm talking about watch the bbc pride and prejudice NOW!!!). But he also needs to be young and sexy, like Ryan Phillippe in Crual Intentions.
    So, at the moment Metatron is being played by a cross between Viggo Mortensen, Colin Firth and Ryan Phillippe. Hmmmmm…… Could be tricky…… :wassat:

  39. mapthestars says:

    MCH: OK. ( runs to the Blockerbuster Video store to see pride and…) but Based on the google images I see what you mean.

  40. Alewyn says:

    Mmmmmmmmm I love love love Colin Firth as Darcy

    With Metatron I always imagined him really skeevy and gross. Like that guy nobody wants to see but he's always there and flirty and gross.

  41. Wytchbabi says:

    what about Jude Law as Metatron? he's not exactly evil, but he's a good enough actor he might be able to pull it off. besides, he oozes sexuality. :wassat:

  42. Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

    Good thing we have Michael Jackson on the story board:

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0413808/

    (I have changed my name from Tony to Arriving Somewhere (but not here)(the name of my favorite Porcupine tree song :smile:) that's the only real reason I posted here)

    Well see ya

  43. rory says:

    geez, thats disturbingly funny

  44. Wytchbabi says:

    what the…?

  45. Karen O says:

    Nicole Kidman is a devout Catholic, I don't she'd act in a movie where God is evil – at least if they don't change that.

  46. Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

    Wow I never thought that was the reason she was taking so long to to give the part a yes or a no, but now that I have heard that I bet she is going to decline.

    Religion is a tough issue for people.

  47. MCH says:

    But surely (and please don't shoot me if you disagree – I know lots of people will cinvict me of sacrilage for even suggesting this :sad:) the books aren't actually anti-religious?
    Surely they're only against the corruption of the Church's authority. I never saw them as being against God – that's why he's called the Authority, rather than just out-and-out God.
    Sorry if I've made you all hate me… :wassat:

  48. Arriving Somewhere (but not here) says:

    Your right for the most part, but most people are not able to come out side their pointless anger and look past the fact that the church is evil in this book and see the metaphor (or simili or watever) and find the undeniable truth.
    That is religion corrupt, you just see it by the way they acted when this book came out.

    Although I would concider this book anti religion, everything in the book shouts it (I even think I remeber a interview I read were Pullman said the books were anti – religion). Everything else is right on though.