With the last Harry Potter book, and the next film not even released yet (and two more movies to go), Harry’s fans are already asking “What’s next?” Fortunately Philip Pullman and Newline Cinemas have the answer, The Golden Compass.

The Golden Compass is the tale Twelve year old Lyra Belacqua. The story begins simply enough. Lyra is an orphan who lives with her uncle, Lord Asriel at Oxford where, she and her best friend Roger get into all sorts of mischief until Roger goes missing. From this simple seed the story of the Golden Compass grows into a wonderfully dark and complex tale, rich in fantasy and adventure. The Oxford at which Lyra lives at is in a universe parallel to our own.

On her quest to find and rescue Roger, Lyra learns dangerous secrets, encounters a host of colorful characters, and a wonderous object. There is the secret organization known as the Gobblers who are snatching children to be used in horrible experiments, a Golden Compass, known as an Alethiometer, which always tells the truth if you know how to work it (spoiler Alethiometer instructions), and a mysterious substance known as Dust which can bring together but is so feared that there are those who wish to destroy it. Oh and did I mention in this world, people’s souls manifest as small animals companions called Daemons.

Without a doubt, the Golden Compass includes enough intrigue, adventure, and interesting characters, in a setting rich and complex enough to lure Harry Potter looking for their next fix.

Cast:
Nicole Kidman - Mrs. Coulter
(I won’t even bother, everyone knows Nicole Kidman)

Daniel Craig - Lord Asriel
(James Bond in Casino Royale)

Dakota Blue Richards - Lyra Belacqua
(12 yo Brit with no previous acting experience)

Eva Green - Serafina Pekkala
(Casino Royale Bond Girl)

Sam Elliott - Lee Scoresby

The film is based on the novel of the same name by Philip Pullman (unless you live in the UK where the novel was released under the name Northern Lights). The Golden Compass is the first book in Philip Pullman’s award winning trilogy His Dark Materials. Expect to see a big lead up to this film in the fall as it is set to release just before Christmas.

Release Date: December 7th, 2007