The Golden Compass is a 2007 fantasy adventure film directed by Chris Weitz, from a screenplay by Weitz, and based on the 1995 novel Northern Lights. In 2007, The Golden Compass grossed $53,198,635 in the United Kingdom and became the second-highest-grossing non-sequel film of 2007. In Japan, grossing $33, 501,399. These figures demonstrate that the film has an extensive international fanbase and is enjoyed by many people worldwide. Here we discuss some facts that you find interesting about The Golden Compass movie. So, let’s start:
Interesting Facts About “The Golden Compass”
13. Daniel Craig Did Most of His Scene
Daniel Craig did most of his stunts, especially in the Swiss glaciers. The 39-year-old actor was happy to be doing some of his stunts because he felt it made the film more authentic. He said, “I am happy to do many of my stunts; it makes the movie feel more real.” He also spent several weeks filming in the region.
12. Christopher Lee Only had One Line in The Movie
Despite his prominent billing in the Role of First High Councilor, Christopher Lee only had one line in “The Golden Compass” entire movie. His character is never mentioned again after his initial appearance in the film.
11. Daniel Craig was a Big Fan of Novel
Daniel Craig, who played the title role in “The Golden Compass,” was a fan of the books before he was involved with the movie. Dakota Blue Richards, who also played the Role of Lyra in this movie, reads the books and saw the National Theater stage play before the shooting.
10. Dakota Blue Richards Was in every Scene; except Two
Filming for “The Golden Compass” took 100 days, but Dakota Blue Richards was in every Scene expect two. The actress shot for 98 days to ensure she had enough footage to complete the film.
Also read: 9 Facts About “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies”
9. Ten Thousand Girls Auditioned for the Role of Lyra
Ten thousand showed up to open auditions for the Role of Lyra Belacqua in the film adaptation of “The Golden Compass.” And finally, Dakota Blue Richards, a twelve years old London School girl, was selected to play the part. Lyra is a complex and fascinating character; many talented actresses could have filled her shoes.
8. One Scene is not From the Book
The Scene where Marisa Coulter hits her monkey was not in the book but was written by the author of the book “Philip Pullman.” In an interview with the Guardian, Pullman said he created the Scene to show how “Cruelty can be justified.” He said he believes in “The power of fiction” and that sometimes writers have to go beyond what is actually in the book to make a point.
7. Philip Pullman was Disappointed with The Final Cut
Author and outspoken critic, Philip Pullman, was disappointed with the final cut of “The Golden Compass” Movie. He stated that he liked the performances in the film but found some scenes too long and unnecessary; nonetheless, he appreciates how has been put together.
6. All The Filmed Shots at Night
The Golden Compass was filmed in Oxford at night because the local council did not permit Chris Weitz to shoot during the day. All the scenes shot in Oxford were filmed at night using artificial lights.
5. The First Movie Grossed Over $300 Million
The Golden Compass was one of the most anticipated Movies of 2007, and it did not disappoint. The movie captured $302 million at the foreign box office, giving it a worldwide total of $372 million. This makes it the first movie to gross over $300 million worldwide. Critics loved the story, and the visual effects were top-notch.
4. Ridley Scott was The First offered a Job as Director
The Golden Compass was a book-to-movie adaptation. The movie was initially considered directed by Ridley Scott, but it was turned down due to a scheduling conflict. He was the first person to offer the job of directing the movie, but he turned it down. The studio then offered the job to Chris Weitz, who accepted the job.
3. Daniel Craig, Who Plays Lord Asriel, Also Plays James Bond
For most people, James’s bond movies are tremendous, and Craig Starred as the legendary British secret agent in six films from 2006 to 2021. But he also played the Role of Lord Asriel very well, a powerful and mysterious character in “The Golden Compass,” based on the novel by Philip Pullman. This was a significant role for him, and it was also his first best big screen appearance. Craig did a fantastic job as Lord Asriel; he captured the character perfectly. His performance was liked by critics and fans. Many people say that Craig’s portrayal of Lord Asriel is the best one ever done in the movie. Craig proved himself an adept actor not just for action scenes but for delicate emotional work.
2. Sam Elliott was Very Excited to Play a Role in this Movie
After more than 20 years in the film business, Sam Elliot has seen it all. He’s worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, from Die hard to Thelma and Louise. But when he was asked about his most exciting experience, Elliot couldn’t help but mention The Golden Compass. “This is by far the most exciting CGI movie in which I have been involved,” He declared to reporters at a press conference for the film earlier this year, “It’s so much fun.”
1. At the Time of Release, The Film Has the Biggest Budget
When “The Golden Compass” was first announced, many people were skeptical of the idea of a film with a solo female protagonist. However, when the final product was released, it had the most significant budget for a film with the sole female protagonist. This proved that an audience out there wants to see films with strong female protagonists.
Final Words
If you are a fan of Fantasy movies, I highly recommend watching the movie adaptation of “The Golden Compass.” The action and storyline are amazing, and the acting skills are fantastic. While there may be some similarities between the movie and the book, I found that overall, they were both great in their way. This movie is definitely worth watching.
