The Western Mail has an article on the controversy the His Dark Materials movies are poised to cause. Simon Jenkins, editor of an online Christian newsletter, said, “I'm sure this new film will launch 100 anti-film and anti-book websites going through all the detailed reasons why they are wrong and why they are dangerous and pose a threat to civilisation as we know it.” Rupert Kaye, chief executive of the Association of Christian Teachers, has harsher words, calling Pullman's “blasphemy” “shameless”. Pullman agreed the books had upset some Christians, but said he was unconcerned about the prospect of the films doing the same. Read more.
The article also raises the issue that Allah is not listed in the names of God a character gives at one point in The Amber Spyglass. Pullman did say that he would see that this was added – has anyone got a newer edition of TAS to check for us?
Bloomsbury's Big Bad Read vote to find the ultimate children's literary baddy has finished. Mrs Coulter came third, with Lord Voldemort ending top. See the results. Meanwhile, Philip Pullman made the Independent's The Good List of fifty men and women who make our world a better place. “Pullman wants children to realise they are the inheritors of philosophical, artistic, scientific and literary riches. So potent is the vision of this campaigning atheist that even the Archbishop of Canterbury wants his novels taught as part of religious education in schools.” The list in full is on the BBC (thanks JV).
Philip Pullman's September message details his trip to the Shepperton Studios to survey the His Dark Materials movie. He reveals several cast members we knew nothing of beforehand:
Of the cast as a whole, Pullman says he is, “astonished and delighted with every one of them, and with the others I haven`t got time to list. Take it from me: this is a brilliant cast.” He goes on to record his delight in the costume, animatronics and set design: “I could see from the artwork how sumptuous and extraordinary this film will look.” There's much more in the full message – boats, dresses and spies – so go read it.
Update: This has since been confirmed by sightings of the cast list at Shepperton studios. Anozie will play Iorek, McShane Iofur.
An article in the Daily Mail gives Nonso Anozie as providing the voice for Iorek Brynison in the His Dark Materials movie. It had been previously understood that Ian McShane had the role. There was however a caveat included back then as we were only able to ascertain that McShane would be playing “the King of the Bears” – which can be taken to mean either Iorek or Iofur. McShane may then in fact be playing Iofur Raknison, the evil bear of the piece. We're following this up to try and clarify things.
A small shop near Reading is to provide stuffed animals for The Golden Compass movie. The owner, Ms Tubb, said, “The producers have asked me to make polar bears, rats and ferrets for them.” The shop is providing about 30 lifelike stuffed bears – which will be photographed close up so they appear lifelike on film. Ms Tubb remarked that it would be strange to see her bears – currently being made – on the big screen. But she promised, despite mingling with Los Angeles’ elite, none of her toys had turned into prima donnas and all had their paws steadily on the ground. Read more.