The Golden Compass and the Sequel possibility

Amazing...I watched "The Golden Compass" recently and was pleasantly surprised. It's got storyline, stellar cast members and GREAT FXs...One of the best fantasies to hit the screen after LOTR...I really much enjoyed its mythology and if it weren't for all the controversy i wouldn't even understand that anything in this movie is atheist or anti-Catholic, which is not since religion is a matter not even TOUCHED on in this movie. It's just a movie about you not taking sh** from anyone and standing up for your beliefs (in this case the totalitarian regime led by the "Magestirium" which is headed by Mrs. Coulter and "The Authority" ). I think that despite the U.S. Box Office and taking into account the Worldwide profit the film has made, it very well deserves the sequel "The Subtle Knife" even with a smaller cost production value. The beginning of the film is already shot anyway so New Line should invest in this franchise and show their belief in its potential...

[Post edited by leo_4_four on Jan 20, 2008]

I think they will make a sequel simply do the huge amount of profits in the is Europe(namely the UK)

As of today, "The Golden Compass" has earned about $65,000,000 on approximately a $180,000,000+ budget. So, thus far it's gotten back about a third of its cost. When you count in the European market, then the DVD/Blu-ray market and the TV rights, it should come close to breaking even. As I understand it, New Line had high hopes of this being another "LOTR," but it didn't happen. Nevertheless, I think they've already committed themselves to filming all three of the books come hell or high water. Maybe they'll keep the budgets for the next two movies lower? Who knows.

John

Actually John the studio hasn't committed in making all three films BUT was pretty clear that the fate of "The Golden Compass" in the Box Office would be the deciding factor behind the creation of the sequels. That's why I'm not sure about the sequels' fate because even though an unfortunate disaster in the U.S. ($67,817,786) the film has proved to be a massive hit worldwide ($245,728,619) and still has not been released to all countries with Japan awaiting a March 1st release, but what revenue is the studio going to consider for an eventual sequel (the U.S. OR the Worldwide)?

[Post edited by leo_4_four on Jan 20, 2008]

"Actually dear John the studio hasn't committed in making all three films..." --leo_4_four

Actually, Leo, no one has called me "dear" except my wife in over thirty-five years. But I appreciate the honor. As for your intimate, insider knowledge of New Line's plans, we thank you.

John

I am sorry "dear" John if you were offended but the word can have many meanings and i definitely didn't mean it as any of your interpretations. I just enjoy your reviews and i meant it with all the respect i have for you. Apparently i am wrong about people a lot lately. It definitely looks different in writing rather than in just saying it so i understand if you took it the wrong way, i apologize again.

[Post edited by leo_4_four on Jan 20, 2008]

No offense intended and no offense taken. I was just teasing with you.

Also, I was basing my assumption that New Line would be going ahead with the next two installments of "Golden Compass" based on what director/screenwriter Chris Weitz has said publicly. He was criticized for toning down the religious angle in the first movie and has said that he has no intention to do so in the upcoming two movies, which seems to have infuriated a lot of pro-Christian viewers. Maybe he was just speaking from high hopes. Who knows.

John