Hossein Amini to script The Subtle Knife
Posted on by Merlyn

Variety reports: “New Line has hired Hossein Amini (“The Wings of the Dove”) to pen “The Subtle Knife,” the second part of Phillip Pullman's “His Dark Materials.” […] New Line president Toby Emmerich has continued to assert that the mini-major plans to shoot the second and third stories in Pullman's trilogy, but only if the first performs well. But he also said this week that the hiring of Amini represents a significant commitment toward going ahead with the next film. Read More.

New Line pulls in pic scribe

New Line has hired Hossein Amini (“The Wings of the Dove”) to pen “The Subtle Knife,” the second part of Phillip Pullman's “His Dark Materials.”

Move comes as New Line's in the midst of a five-month shoot on Pullman's “The Golden Compass” at Shepperton Studios in London. Chris Weitz is directing the $150 million “Compass” — to be released late this year — from his own script.

New Line president Toby Emmerich has continued to assert that the mini-major plans to shoot the second and third stories in Pullman's trilogy, but only if the first performs well. But he also said this week that the hiring of Amini represents a significant commitment toward going ahead with the next film.

Amini's currently penning “Drive” for U with Hugh Jackman attached to star and Marc Platt producing. Other credits include “Jude” and “The Four Feathers.”

Brit newcomer Dakota Blue Richards stars in “Compass” as 12-year-old Lyra Belacqua, who travels to a parallel universe to battle the forces of evil and rescue her best friend. Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Eva Green also star.

In “The Subtle Knife,” Pullman introduces the character of a 12-year-old boy who has learned the art of invisibility and is seeking his missing father when he encounters a vanishing cat and joins forces with Lyra Belacqua.

Pullman's final book in the trilogy, “The Amber Spyglass,” won the U.K.'s 2001 Whitbred Prize for children's book, then became the first kids' book to win the Whitbred book of the year award.

Scholastic Media's Debra Forte is producing “Compass” with line producer Bill Carraro.

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266 Responses to Hossein Amini to script The Subtle Knife

  1. drama queen says:

    first comment……… any way, r they doing auditions for will…. aparently they are……….
    and well atleast they will get the second done quickly if they plan now

  2. Silverfist says:

    WHen and where do ya think the auditions for Will are! Cool that they've already kinda started on 'the Subtle Knife'.

  3. HDM Head 24-7 says:

    "In "The Subtle Knife," Pullman introduces the character of a 12-year-old boy who has learned the art of invisibility and is seeking his missing father when he encounters a vanishing cat and joins forces with Lyra Belacqua."

    Not the best summary in my opinion. Invisibility should probably have been italicized, but o well. Lets just continue to pray that they don't screw up. lol

  4. sisis says:

    Well, I hope they will realase the movies year by year, and we have not to wait so much….

    And i also hope that all the caracthers casted in the first have commitment with the triology…If this doesn't happen they will arruine the triology…

    Let's have faith
    Sorry for my poor english!

  5. Soapy says:

    Does this mean Weitz is out? Stoppard commented that Weitz likes to use his own scripts which is why his wasn't used. I can't imagine that would've changed, assuming Stoppard was correct in saying that.

    Also, wtf? Where does "not being noticed" get changed into the ability to be "invisible?" Major misrepresentation there.

  6. Alewyn says:

    this is turning into Harry Potter- different directors/writers for each film. i don't like it 🙁

  7. Reedie_Belacqua says:

    wow, o.o

    i want to see Will!
    i hope they'll do a good choice
    or i'll have the urgency of murder someones..

  8. KDS says:

    Very interesting news…Amini, in comparison to Stoppard and even Weitz to some extent, is a much smaller name with a smaller body of work from a commercially-successful standpoint…if one wanted to be cynical, it could be argued that New Line felt it would be easier to assert pressure on Amini if they wanted creative changes made to the script (toning down the religous subtext, etc.) than Weitz or another writer.

    Also interesting as regards Soapy's point about Weitz's need to direct his own scripts…hopefully this doesn't lead to a revolving door of directors, God knows the Weitz-Antoine Fuqua-Weitz again debacle was bad enough.

    All this of course is based on the assumption that TGC does the business at the box office to justify the sequels being put into production of course 😉

  9. bluestar says:

    I can't wait for the subtle knife! I agree with HDM the summary wasn't all that good. and invisiblity… well…. we'll have to see

  10. aklebury says:

    QUOTE: "Also, wtf? Where does "not being noticed" get changed into the ability to be "invisible?" Major misrepresentation there."

    Yeah, I couldn't stop laughing when I read that… "Vanishing Cat" is pretty misleading as well.

    It seems that all the articles that i've read that give short plots of the books just totally misunderstand them. I read one in a magazine the other day that claimed Lyra had a magical shape-shifting 'PET', which is really missing the point.

  11. Reedie_Belacqua says:

    Yeah, but that doesn't mean the people making the movie will make those mistakes xD

  12. mysterygal says:

    WTF!!!!!!WHATS THAT ABOUT WILL LEARNING INVISIBILITY!!!?????I hate these publisher people when they get things wrong,very,very wrong

    I mean……WTF??? :angry: :angry:

  13. mysterygal says:

    apart from that…i cant wait for the subtle knife movie-i think that movie is going to be the longest because there are alot of important parts that you cant miss while in the amber spyglass there are less important parts even though its bigger.

  14. Chrissyboyuk says:

    this could be good news that at least they are thinking about the others this early, it could mean they each get the creative attension they deserve!also it may be that a new writer has been found because weitz is too busy with TGC to pen a script at this time. if weitz was to direct and write all three films then he would have to do a speed job at writing the second, if it goes ahead, and that might make it a bit rubbish. So i think its a good thing they are getting writers onto it now. the only thing that worries me is if there is a big gap between finishing TGC and starting TSK because they wait for box office response then wont Dakota get too old to play lyra for all three films? perhaps its just me, but i sort of got the impression reading the books that the story spans about a year in thier lives perhaps a bit more? if they have to wait until each film is released in order to green light the next one its going to be at least three years by the time amber spyglass is finished filming. making dakota about 15. i think i would rather keep dakota (if she's good) and accept she looks a bit old, than have a different actress for every film. same goes for will. what do you all think?

  15. Soapy says:

    QUOTE: I read one in a magazine the other day that claimed Lyra had a magical shape-shifting 'PET', which is really missing the point.

    God, that sounds awful. I tell you, if all i heard about HDM was from magazines and articles about the film i'd think it was pretty lame. even saying "physical representation of her soul in animal form" sounds a bit doolaly.

  16. Reedie_Belacqua says:

    QUOTE:
    weitz is too busy with TGC to pen a script at this time. if weitz was to direct and write all three films then he would have to do a speed job at writing the second, if it goes ahead, and that might make it a bit rubbish.

    Exactly 😉

    QUOTE:
    then wont Dakota get too old to play lyra for all three films?

    I was thinking about it too, but i don't think they'll change Dakota,
    they can make a person look older or younger, I mean… 🙂

    They surely though about it already, it's something they've should know for the first moment!

  17. Gabe says:

    Well, this sounds like good news to me. It means that New Line likes what they've seen of TGC so far that they're confident it'll do well.

  18. Tim says:

    My hope is that if The Golden Compass is a success, then The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass will be filmed at the same, and then be released a year apart, like Back to the Future 2 & 3, or more recently, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 &3. I think this would make the most sense, as it would keep the actors from getting too old, plus it keeps the release dates closer together, and therefore more in the public consciousness. Plus, if the first film is a success, it should be assumed that the next two films will be successful as well (as long as the quality of the sequels is consistent with the first film), so there should be no reason to wait to see if The Subtle Knife performs well to begin The Amber Spyglass.

  19. Kaneda says:

    Why would they pick Amini for this project? He has done practically nothing! I hope they didnt just pick a no-name so Newline could make him their b****.

    If Weitz is good with GCM, he can still do Subtle Knife. ALthough i fel that Alfonso Cuaron ("Children of Men" and "Harry Potter 3") would be perfect.

  20. Silversnake says:

    QUOTE: I was thinking about it too, but i don't think they'll change Dakota,
    they can make a person look older or younger, I mean… 🙂

    They surely though about it already, it's something they've should know for the first moment!

    Yeah, well they did it for Harry Potter I surpose, I mean I'm sure they culd make me l-, I'm sure they could make who ever plays will look younger *shifty eyes* 😉 🙂

  21. Reedie_Belacqua says:

    yeah silverskane 😀

    QUOTE KANEDA:
    Why would they pick Amini for this project? He has done practically nothing! I hope they didnt just pick a no-name so Newline could make him their b****.

    just because he's not well known as other directors does not mean he's not good, for god sake ¬¬'

    i wouldn't like Alfonso Cuaron or any director who has work in HP to work with HDM…

  22. Alewyn says:

    HEY GUESS WHAT?!?!!??!

    I was on the imdb homepage today and I scorlled down and on the "New Stills" section what did I find??? NICOLE KIDMAN AS COULTERRRRRRR

    that's right, HDM was on the imdb homepage. it basically made my day.

  23. Annabel says:

    Invisible? This worries me a little. Lol, I hope it is only a mistake. I'm sure they'll do open auditions for will, too.

  24. furbaby says:

    It's a minor misrepresentation, that's all.

    Will's technique of making himself "invisible" is the same as Serafina Pekkala's.

  25. Alewyn says:

    TGC was named Entertainment Weekly's 7th most entertaining film/show/book/anything of 2007 🙂

  26. Cyphase says:

    aklebury: I read one in a magazine the other day that claimed Lyra had a magical shape-shifting 'PET', which is really missing the point.

    … Pet? Pet?! Did Mrs. Coulter write that? (TGC, Chapter 17, a few pages in). I know that was just some reporter, but I have to say, I hope they don't mess with the human-dӕmon relationship. That would ruin everything. I'm afraid they might change important parts of the story just to make it "easier" to understand.

  27. Vaka says:

    I think the "pet" and "invisibility" descriptions are due to bad summaries, not a lack of understanding among the filmmakers.

    And yeah, I'm also getting excited by the attention the movie is starting to recieve. Last time I checked, TGC was the most visited preview at Yahoo's upcoming movie database, beating movies like Harry Potter, Transformers, The Simpsons Movie, etc.

  28. Alewyn says:

    yeah, i was so excited when i saw nicole's coulter pic in me entertainment weekly

    AND, my sister told me that the top 3 anticipated movies of 2007 are as follows:
    1. simpsons
    2. harry potter
    3. TGC!!

    i love this, i'm so pumped!!!!

  29. Annabel says:

    Alewyn, it was number ten on radio one :angry:. Ah well, it will move up when more people find out about it lol xD

  30. Kaneda says:

    QUOTE:
    "just because he's not well known as other directors does not mean he's not good, for god sake ¬¬'
    i wouldn't like Alfonso Cuaron or any director who has work in HP to work with HDM… "

    He isnt a director, hes a writer. yes, they could have picked him because they believe he is talented, but that is optimism.

    And do you mean by "I wouldnt like… any Director who has work in HP to work with HDM"?

    So now your giving Cuaron a stigma merely because he worked on the HP series regardless of his directing qualities?
    At least we know he possesses talent, unlike noname Amini.

  31. Amanda says:

    I hope they find an unknown actor to be Will. I'll turn emo if they cast Freddie Highmore, or even worse, Liam Aiken.

  32. mysterygal says:

    lol…..

  33. hippy says:

    Any one that thinks that Hossein Amini has no talent is a fool. He has written for Shekhar Kapur, and produced scripts that have attracted the likes of Heath Ledger, Djimon Hounsou, Chris Eccleston, Michael Gambon. Not having a big name isnt unusual for a script writer. Look at Steven Kloves, as an example

  34. Kaneda says:

    Im not saying he doesnt have talent, im saying there is a good possibility that he'll make a craperific script.
    Then again he might make an outstanding script, but risks always scare me.

  35. Reedie_Belacqua says:

    QUOTE: "So now your giving Cuaron a stigma merely because he worked on the HP series regardless of his directing qualities?
    At least we know he possesses talent, unlike noname Amini. "

    I've never said cuaron has no talent, god, i just don't want the movie to be lik hp's.

    You're complaining about something you're doing with Amini o.O

  36. Will Parry Auditioneer (Pending) says:

    I sooooo cant wait 4 the will auditions If they come!!!!! 🙂 I will also turn to more serious emoism if they dont do open auditions and cast Freddie Highmore instead. :angry:

    I HATE the way these people summarise things….Vanishing cat? Invisible boy? This is not the extrodinary leauge of Gentlemen!

    Also does anyone have ANY info on the Will auditions? Please :crying:

  37. bball_brilliant says:

    Me either! I dont know who this freddie guy is but the auditions{if there is} will prbably after the first movie. :crying: They cant hav auditions til then becaus they might not make another movie. the golden compass has 2 make a lot of money in order for them to make the Subtle Knife.

  38. CALLUM says:

    I hope they will do the subtle knife because i wouldlike to audition for the part of will

  39. bball_brilliant says:

    Me too. I live in idaho {state in america} so i have to get a visa and a ticket to England{ if the auditions are there like Lyra's were}. i'm really looking forward to it

  40. Jake says:

    id hate it id freddie highmore got the role :laughing:
    any recent updates on the casting of the Subtle Knife?

  41. will parry/ any thing i can go for :) auditi ... says:

    i am so goin to audition for will parry but i would really like a part in the The Amber Spyglass a small priest part this is ganna be so so so cool 🙂 🙂 🙂

  42. bball_brilliant says:

    will parry auditioneer, i totally agree, but still id love the part of will. It would be a dream come true

  43. person called Ben says:

    Can't wait for Will auditions. when i heard they where doing TGS film i decided i was going to audition for will, told my mate and we're both gonna go for it.

    Does anyone know when or where they r 🙂

  44. Nick and Liana says:

    OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody tell me now…
    When are the auditions for Will Parry starting?
    Are they coming to Australia?
    OMG!!!!!
    lol Im nuts. I wanna try out, but Im 13 and I look older than I do and my vocie is heaps lower. But my friends think I seem like the Will that is discribed.
    Plz answer ASAP PLZ!

  45. Ldex says:

    It would be so weeet to get the part of, Will, and i agree, i mean Invisible, comon

  46. Amneris says:

    does anyone know anything about who they’re thinking of casting as witches (like lena feldt, juta kamainen) cuz i’d really love to try out!

    as for the directors, i think the director should stay the same throughout the trilogy – simply because if that changes the whole tone of the movie will change and that will….

    annoy me…

    😕

  47. asterix says:

    if it turns out the guy who plays will is some scrawny 10 year old,i’m just gonna give up on this trilogy. 🙁

    ps. does anyone agree me with me when i say that the voiceovers of animals and creatures . i.e demons are totally different to the voice in my head. for instance saphira from eragon sounded ridiculous

  48. cormac says:

    If and when the auditions for will in the Subtle Knife you all know, directed at auditioners, there will probably be an age limit. for lyra it was for between 9 and 13 and Will is the same age as lyra so the age limit will be similar. say maybe 10-14 or 11-15 because boys at 9 won’t be the same size as boys at 12

    just letting you know

    cormac

  49. wannabewill says:

    god, i really wanna be Will, im 12, and ive been reading and re reading these books since i was 7, ive been waiting for a movie and my dream is to be an actor

  50. wannabewill2 says:

    i really want to be will i am the right age (12) i love acting and in the last play i was prince John in robin hood. i have read all three books. when i read the first book i could not put it down. i would love to be a part of this imagenary world by playing will.