Writer/director Chris Weitz had been onboard to direct however he had to withdraw from the project. Weitz will now work with Tucker on developing the screenplay. New Line chose Tucker after the director put together - in the studio's words - "a comprehensive presentation" which included conceptual art, visual effects demos, and a 20-page director’s manifesto.
In a press release issued by New Line Cinema, author Pullman said, "I warmly welcome Anand Tucker as director of the first His Dark Materials film. He respects the integrity of the narrative and will maintain that integrity in the film-making process. His ideas are exciting and well thought out, and I greatly look forward to seeing the project go forward in his hands."
New Line’s Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne added, "His Dark Materials promises to be one of our most important films. We've been convinced by Anand's background and presentation that he is the ideal craftsman to deliver this project. New Line has a long tradition of finding talented filmmakers who possess the innate skills and vision necessary to accomplish extraordinary things when given the opportunity to work on a larger scale. We are confident that Anand fits that mold."
"The opportunity to turn Philip Pullman’s extraordinary story into a film is literally a dream come true,” says Tucker. "I instantly fell in love with His Dark Materials when it was first published, and have been a huge fan ever since. I was entranced by the way the books reminded me of those first magical experiences of reading books when I was a kid. Phillip has created an incredibly universal story about a reluctant hero whose destiny is nothing less than to save Mankind.”
The Golden Compass Synopsis
The story 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.
Source: New Line Cinema
