When you’re really interested in a movie, news about the production can’t come fast enough. I had barely heard of Philip Pullman or The Golden Compass several months ago. Now, with the confirmation of newcomer Dakota Blue Richards in the lead role as Lyra and the announcement of Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Coulter, I’m more and more interested in seeing who will be attached to the movie next, and I’m only on page 85 of the novel.
I was hoping the rumored addition of Paul Bettany would be the next casting to be confirmed, mostly because by page 85 I knew who his character was. Sadly, his attachment as Lord Asriel will remain a rumor for now. Instead the next character to be cast, according to Variety, is someone I haven’t met yet: Serafina Pekula, appropriately played by an actress we haven’t seen much of yet: Eva Green.
Since I haven’t encountered the character in the novel yet, I can’t speak about the appropriateness of the casting but Green, who will be seen next in Casino Royale, was one of the best things Kingdom of Heaven had to offer, which sadly isn’t saying much. Still, if she could hold my attention through that endless movie, here’s hoping she’ll excel in a more magical story.
