A casting process that has gone through Eric Bana and Paul Bettany comes to an end: Variety reported this morning and New Line have confirmed to us that Daniel Craig will take the role of Lord Asriel in The Golden Compass movie. Craig is the current actor to hold the role of James Bond and his first film in the part, Casino Royale, is released this autumn. It also stars Eva Green, who plays Serafina Pekkala in His Dark Materials.
NEW LINE CINEMA’S THE GOLDEN COMPASS
LOS ANGELES (Aug. 17, 2006) – Daniel Craig has joined the cast of New Line Cinema’s The Golden Compass, the highly anticipated adaptation of the first installment in author Philip Pullman’s bestselling His Dark Materials trilogy, it was announced today by New Line Production President Toby Emmerich. The film is scheduled for a Sept. 4 production start in the UK.
Craig, who will star as James Bond in the upcoming Casino Royale, will play Lord Asriel – a ruthless adventurer with a mysterious past – in The Golden Compass. He joins the film’s ensemble cast which includes Nicole Kidman, Eva Green and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards.
Based on author Philip Pullman’s bestselling and award-winning novel, The Golden Compass tells the first story in Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. 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. The Golden Compass is written and directed by Chris Weitz (About a Boy, Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte of Scholastic (the U.K. publisher of the His Dark Materials books). Paul Weitz and Andrew Miano of Depth of Field (In Good Company) are also producing. The Golden Compass is scheduled for a December 2007 release.
The Golden Compass also features an all-star production team that includes Academy Award-winning production designer Dennis Gassner (Road to Perdition, Big Fish), Academy Award-nominated costume designer Ruth Myers (L.A. Confidential, Emma), and Academy Award-nominated visual effects supervisor Mike Fink (X-Men, X2, Road to Perdition).
What the…..?
Can't say I was expecting that. He seems like he'll make a good Asriel.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Seriously, bad choice.
*tuts* I can\’t say I see the Asriel in him. Perhaps the idea is to make the movie appeal to the mums.
argghh damn!!
I was relieved when i heard the confirmation that bettany wasnt playing Asriel….but i hate this guy!!
You know, he's not somebody i'd considered before, but sitting back and considering it I think he'll probably play the roll pretty well 🙂
Hmm, I think I see their move here. His career is kicking off now because he's the new James Bond. So they're cashing in on him because he's "the next big thing". Or maybe not. I don't know. I can't say I'm pleased OR upset with this choice. He's no Viggo Mortensen but I suppose I'm quite happy to wait and see if he can pull it off. Now if they'd just get Michael Madsen as Lee Scoresby…
Noooooooooooooooooo!
Paul Bettany 🙁
I am curious about the negative reaction. I have known about him since Our Friends in the North and think he is a fabulous actor, I am glad he is finally getting big movie parts. And as they were never going to pick my first choice, Bruce Campbell (author of how to make love the Bruce campbell way) I think he will make a fine Asriel.
Wow I never thought about him, but really I think this is a good choice. I could see him pull off Asriel really well :smile:. I say it's good news. I'm actually kind of suprised at the bad reactions some people have had…
James…Bond…Lord…Asriel…
I don't really know what he looks like. Will have to do some major IMDb work. However, at this moment in time, I prefer Paul Bettany over him.
Also, I am in love with Eric Bana, but he's no Asriel.
Humpf.
Very good choice. He's not Jason Isaacs or Christopher Eccleston, but he's a much better choice than Bettany or Mortensen, neither of whom have a powerful enough presence.
Fantastic news. Daniel Craig is a wonderful actor who completely inhabits every role he plays. Much better choice than the equally talented Paul Bettany who just didn't look the part.
People seem to have gotten caught on this James Bond thing. It's just a character, and Daniel has had a varied career because of his great range. I don't see a problem.
Wow, quite an unexpected choice. Certainly not my Asriel, but figuring out the way they're going with this adaptation, I can say I am much happier with Craig over Bettany. He's got the fanatical energy that Bettany offered, but he also has the physical presence that Bettany didn't have. I just hope he has a beard of some kind… I just can't picture Az without one… Oh and yes, since no one pointed this out yet… Timothy Dalton played Asriel on stage and a lot of people wanted Connory for the movie… They are both past Bond's!
this is so great! the films really moveing along now, so many characters have been casted!daniel craig is as i imagined Lord Asreil. he's a great actor and i really hope he fulfills the part, i just can't wait 'till the film comes out November next year.
I think it's brilliant casting. This guy has a smoldering look about him that Asriel would have; you can see he would be harsh and unflinching. Plus, he looks the appropriate age to be Asriel and to be cast with Nicole as Marisa Coulter. I approve!
i cant say i am overly pleased with this news, i seen the stage plays both runs, the first time had ex james bond actor timothy dalton, and he just acted more like james bond than Lord Asriel, whereas the second guy was David Harewood and he was much more convincing, i think Daniel Craig doesn't look powerful enough to play Asriel, too much of a pretty boy in my opinion.
hoobits- Oh and yes, since no one pointed this out yet… Timothy Dalton played Asriel on stage and a lot of people wanted Connory for the movie… They are both past Bond's!
grr, I was going to point that out!!
This guy has the right look. i'm just wondering if he can pull off the Asriel-ness.
I think he is alot better than that Paul Bettney guy. He has the right look. That other guy was way to young!
Perfect!
Good call. Pleased with that choice – I always pictured somebody closer to Timothy Dalton or even Colin Firth (only due to his part in Pride and Prejudice though) in the role, so Craig seems a close enough fit despite even *shock shock* having blonde hair. Maybe they'll be very clever about things and dye his hair, if needs be.
That much is purely about looks and demeanour though. Acting wise, he is definitely a good choice, as everyone seems to agree. He will be a good Asriel i think, and even though it's difficult to the point of sillyness to predict such things, if the complete package is there to support him, he could get a supporting actor nomination or two, it just seems to me a role that properly performed would struggle not to impress.
Here's hoping anyway.
My armor is officially broken.
I don't agree with the choice. He is indeed a very good actor, but his stage or camera presence is too raw (in terms of agressiveness) for Lord Asriel. I think that, the person who would take the role, should have a more induced subtle power kind of presence. As if it would be needed only one glance, or his body language to silence the men under his command with a mix of respect and, yes, fear.It's also a type of agressiveness indeed, but one more fluid in opposite of sheer emotional roughness. Lyra was afraid of her father, but it was more of the shrewd apparent coldness of his mind than the impulsiveness of his heart. And from what I observed in Daniel Craig's performance, he has that certain untameid impulsiveness which strenghtens the quality of his talent, however, that isn't the best characteristic for a role as Lord Asriel's.
Let us say, that Daniel Craig's deamon should have the shape of a lion, not a white leopard.
sigh of relief 🙂 all i have to say
he does look like i imagined Asriel, and i don't know what New Line are planning to do with the character or the film, so i can't really object.
but i can NOT WAIT!!!!! :tongue: 🙁
Ahh… You ca'nt win em all. Not a bad choice, he'll probably do an average job, only Bettany was perfect for the role. Oh well just glad things are still moving. 🙂
what!? ahhh… i never thought of him, but now that i have, i think he will be a perfect Asriel.. this choice has made me completely happy!
hmmmm…. I dunno, JamesBond/LordAsriel?
I'm s bit lost. I mean, he has potential…but the way he carries himself may not be 100% appropriate for Asriel's character.
As an actor, I can see why playing such a role would be INCREDIBLE for him and his career. And I can see why he was casted.
Hopefully he can develop Asriel's character in such a way that it isn't a dissappointment for us readers and fans who have such high expectations.
People, let's try to keep an open mind. I'm an actress, i can see how hard it'll be for him to fill in the shoes of a character like that. It's daunting. 😉
When I first read TGC/NL I imagined Asriel with dark blonde hair. Anyone else?
hmpf, i got really excited at the paul bettany rumour, he would have been great. but fake bond? no!!! :crying:
I also imagined Asriel with dark blond hair. Like Lyra's.
Hm. It would seem as though this guy will work well enough for Lord Asriel, but I hope that the costume artist will at least give him some sort of beard; I don't know why, but I've always imagined Lord Asriel with some sort of short, well-manicured and graying beard. :wassat:
yeah, me too. even if he just had a tiny soul patch
that'd work.
Erm – to all those who are complaining that he's blond… there is such a thing as hair dye!
I didn't think we were complaining. To me it seems we're just commenting on what we personally imagined Asriel to look like as compared to Craig.
I think people are getting a little too caught up on the Bond thing… It's just a character, give him a break. Knowing New Line, they'll be able to make him look completely different than his Bond character, anyways, so I don't think there's much to worry about there.
i think people should be glad they have got such a good (and intense) actor for the role
This is an interesting thing… About half the fan art for Asriel on BTTS looks a lot like Craig.
Wow. I thought it was a really good inspired choice… until someone pointed out the leopard deamon aspect. I can't see the leopard "fitting" with Craig –>when i read the books, the leopard deamon was perfect for Asriel because it was just another aspect of his personality. Unfortunatly I can't picture Craig as sort-of "being one" with a leopard. Lol.
Here's hoping I have nothing to worry about and that the final film will astound me in the smae way the books did!
This is my final word on the subject;
firstly ; Hugh Jackman 6ft.5"; Paul Bettany 6ft.3"; Daniel Craig 5ft.11".
Secondly Paul Bettany has had Major roles in a Beautiful Mind (Oscar Winning Film); Master and Commander ( Oscar nominated film) Da Vinci Code; A Knights Tale; and Gangster No.1 ( one of the bloodiest films in British Film History).
Thirdly i NewLine should have pushed the boat out on Bettany or Jackman because the female leads are so strong they will dominate the film ( which is no bad thing). Who will have the presence the counterbalance the leads playing Mrs Coulter, Ma Costa, Serrafina Pekkala etc.
All we need now is for Q from the original james bond films to be given the role of lee Scoresby. And why is Phillip Pullman himself so quiet on this issue?
I've only seen this guy "act" in that horrid Tomb Raider film. He wasn't a bad actor, but I just don't see him being able to pull of Asriel. I pray its not true. :crying:
i don't know why so many are complaining about daniel craig.. paul bettany, whie a great actor, was completely not right as lord asriel. i know its not just about appearance, but i just watched a knights take again the other day and he is so lanky and skinny. i'm not saying asriel was buff, but he defintely had a powerful air about him and to me bettany did not fit the bill at all. and people keep mentioning bad films daniel craig has been in like tomb raider. paul bettany has his fair share of bad films too, but what about a film like munich? that is such a great film and daniel craig's role in it was fantastic. i personally think he will be brilliant as asriel and can't wait.
by the earlier comments(soz, i haven't really got a big atention span, so i don't know what the last comments said) you ae judging Daniel Craig by his past roles. come on, just because he was James Bond a couple of moons ago does not mean he's pull out a gun when he opens the wardrobe to see Lyra there (start of the book. i think…) if he's like any other actor they have differant faces. so what i'm trying to say (give me hope that u can understand me) is please don't try 2 judge him by his past roles. i bid u goodbye.
Daniel Craig is the right choice, his acting in the BBC2 drama 'Our Friends in the North' is enough to convince me that he is a very talented actor. When I watched the last episode of this great story I was reduced to tears by his portrayal of a broken man who had suffered so much in his life, you really did believe he had gone through all the worst things that this world can throw at you. I am very glad they have chosen a real actor. Philip Pullman's Lord Asriel is in safe hands.
Craig is fine with me. I always thought Asriel and Bond shared similar character traits… 😉
Anybody want to make a bet on who gets cast next? I'm going with Lee.
I think he looks perfect 🙂
what about james earl jones as king ogunwe? (is that how you spell it?) or is he too old?
goodbye hugh jackman,goodbye william snow 🙁
I have nothing against daniel craig i think he will be a good bond,however as an Asriel.No thanks.I see Asriel also always with darker hair of course there is dye for the hair but who wants a fake Asriel.He simply does not fit in the role.Bad news,……..again.
sorry, but if you think that craig dyeing his hair makes for a "fake Asriel" then you're in for a few more disappointments, i'm afraid. Nicole Kidman and Dakota Richards almost certainly won't look the same as they do in real life, but that doesn't mean they can't act the parts they were cast!
The name's Asriel. Lord Asriel.
*Wanders off chortling*