Don't See His Dark Materials Until You Watch This
CLARAWORLDMEDIA TV
After a failed 2007 film adaptation, Philip Pullman's inventive His Dark Materials series is finally set to arrive on HBO in 2019. If you're ready to see Lyra's journey translated to the small screen, here are all the details you need to know before His Dark Materials premieres.
Philip Pullman's first His Dark Materials book, published as The Golden Compass in America, tells the story of Lyra, a young girl who lives in a world with "daemons," which are counterparts of a person's soul that take the form of an animal.
Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon] discover evidence of "Dust," mysterious particles that are more attracted to children than adults, leading them on a grand adventure. Lyra also gains possession of the titular golden compass, which is technically called an alethiometer, which can discern the truth in any situation. The two continue their journey, eventually meeting Will, a boy from a different dimension. As the three journey on in the subsequent novels, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, they find more universes, make new friends and enemies, and even "kill God." That last plot point, unsurprisingly, has stirred up some controversy since the first novel was published in 1995. Pullman, an avowed atheist, has staunchly defended his series throughout the years, sticking to his guns about his allegories and subject matter without hesitation.
Thanks to the popularity of the books, an adaptation didn't take very long. In 2007, The Golden Compass arrived in theaters. One of New Line Cinema's most expensive productions to date, it underperformed at the North American box office upon its release. Despite a talented cast and Academy Award-winning special effects, the movie failed with audiences and critics alike. With plenty of creative unhappiness behind the scenes and loud dissent from the Catholic Church, the movie did not get a sequel. Make sure you don't see His Dark Materials until you watch this!
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Controversial books | 0:18
The Golden Compass movie | 1:14
The cast | 1:40
The creative team | 2:18
Who's playing Lyra? | 3:04
SDCC 2019 panel | 3:46
A faithful adaptation? | 4:31