Writer\/Director Chris Weitz has returned to the director\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s chair to helm New Line Cinema\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s The Golden Compass, the movie adaptation of the first installment of author Philip Pullman\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s popular His Dark Materials trilogy, it was announced today by Toby Emmerich, New Line Cinema\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s President of Production. <\/p>\n
Weitz, who penned the movie's screenplay, was originally attached to direct the project in 2005 before stepping down<\/a> and being replaced by Anand Tucker<\/a>. Tucker has exited the movie due to differences in creative direction with New Line. Read the full press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also read our (once again relevant) interview with Mr. Weitz here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Update:<\/b> The Hollywood Reporter<\/a> has also finally picked up on the story, and adds that “sources close to the project cited budget constraints” as a reason for the change in director. <\/p>\n Weitz Returns To Director\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Chair For Project Based On His Screenplay<\/i><\/center><\/p>\n LOS ANGELES (May 5, 2006) \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 Writer\/Director Chris Weitz has returned to the director\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s chair to helm New Line Cinema\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s The Golden Compass, the feature film adaptation of the first installment of author Philip Pullman\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s popular His Dark Materials trilogy, it was announced today by Toby Emmerich, New Line Cinema\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s President of Production. <\/p>\n Weitz, who penned the film\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s screenplay, was originally attached to direct the project in 2005 before stepping down and being replaced by Anand Tucker. Tucker has exited the film due to differences in creative direction with New Line.<\/p>\n \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cChris absolutely over-delivered on the script. He wrote a very strong adaptation of The Golden Compass, and we are eager to see him bring those pages to life on the screen,\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d says Emmerich.<\/p>\n Weitz adds, \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cI\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2ve never lost my love of Philip Pullman\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s work, and staying on as screenwriter gave me a better understanding of how a great film version can be accomplished. Though I\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2m disappointed that New Line and Anand didn\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2t end up seeing eye to eye, when I was told the job of directing The Golden Compass was open, there was just no way that I could pass it up. I feel very confident in the creativity and expertise of the technical crew that is assembling to take on this challenge.\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d<\/p>\n \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cI trusted Scholastic and New Line to look after my story, and when Chris Weitz came along I knew at once that he had as clear and strong a grasp of the story as anyone I\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2ve ever met,\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d says Pullman. \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cHis personal knowledge of English school and university life gave him an insight into Lyra\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s background that was invaluable.\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d<\/p>\n Producer Deborah Forte adds, \u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c5\u201cChris has demonstrated both passion and a unique understanding of how to take Philip\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s magnificent story and translate it into a stunning, epic film for families. I have enjoyed working with him and have tremendous confidence in his ability to make this film succeed on every level.\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00c2\u009d<\/p>\n The Golden Compass is being produced by Scholastic Entertainment and Weitz\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Depth of Field production company. Paul Weitz and Andrew Miano will serve as executive producers on the film.<\/p>\n A filmmaker with an extensive literary background, Chris Weitz holds a bachelor\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s and master\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s degree in English Literature from Cambridge University. Along with his brother Paul, he has written such films as Antz and About A Boy, the latter of which he also directed.<\/p>\n 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. The Golden Compass is being produced by Deborah Forte of Scholastic, the U.K. publisher of the His Dark Materials books.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Writer\/Director Chris Weitz has returned to the director\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s chair to helm New Line Cinema\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s The Golden Compass, the movie adaptation of the first installment of author Philip Pullman\u00c3\u00a2\u00e2\u201a\u00ac\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s popular His Dark Materials trilogy, it was announced today by Toby Emmerich, … Continue reading
\nWriter \/ Director Chris Weitz to Helm The Golden Compass<\/h5>\n