ALERT ALERT ALERT

[cleolinda]

Full Golden Compass trailer now online. (Hey! There's Christopher Lee!) As for voices you hear in the trailer, Kristin Scott Thomas will voice Stelmaria; Kathy Bates is doing Hester, as I'd already suspected (ETA: Huh. The clip I posted the other day isn't actually in the trailer); and as for the new Iorek voice that I, for one, was not all that happy about: " 'It was a studio decision…You can understand why you would cast Ian McKellen for anything,' Weitz told us. 'But letting go of Nonso was one of the most painful experiences on this movie for me. I need to say about Nonso that he is one of the most promising and soulful young actors I have encountered in England and I’ve worked here for quite a bit now and he’s actually in the next Mike Leigh…But it was, uh, that was kind of a dark day for me. I kinda wanna go out of my way to point out how much I love Nonso’s work. And that’s that.' " It just kills me because Kathy Bates is right for Hester, and I can totally see (hear?) Kristin Scott Thomas doing Stelmaria, but... McKellen is just wrong for Iorek. I love him, but... the voice they had in the earlier trailers was just so perfect.

Comments

[ter369.livejournal.com]

McKellen is just wrong for Iorek. I love him, but... the voice they had in the earlier trailers was just so perfect.


From the "haven't read the books" point of view, I'd like to see the film in case it clues me in to whatever was going on in the book's first pages that I couldn't understand so I gave up reading. (I mean, I am going in spite of plastic, archly-aware-of-herself-acting, telegraphs-every-thought-and-motive Nicole Kidman.)

And every time (at an Order of the Phoenix showing) I see The Golden Compass preview (the long one) I just lose it (not in the good way) when that bear speaks. Is the bear the character in question with voice casting?

I may not be the right audience for this, but I want to try. Maybe the producers had similar test audience reactions, hmm?

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

It's the same bear--Iorek. I actually thought his previous voice was perfect--bears are described as very non-human in the books. I mean, obviously, yes, but in a way that the daemons aren't--the daemos are very much animals that talk like people, and are actually part of people, whereas the bears have a very cold, emotionless quality to them, which is what makes his relationship with Lyra so touching. I mean, he still shows very little emotion, but the fact that he even cares about her at all is amazing for a bear. McKellen's fantastic, but there's just too much nuance and emotion to his voice. Normally you'd think that's a good thing, but... not for one of Pullman's bears.

The thing about the books, also, is that they take place in an alternate-universe Oxford. I don't know if that helps any, but that may have been what you found disorienting.

The Kidman issue is kind of tricky--I know exactly what you're talking about, and I think she'd be a much better actress if she could shed that plastic sort of veneer, but at the same time, she's absolutely perfect for Mrs. Coulter. I think Pullman even said he had her in mind. She could stand to be a little less aware of her own acting, but Mrs. Coulter is very much a glamorous, fakey-fake, two-faced kind of woman.

[phorie.livejournal.com]

*flails with more excitement* i have to stop watching trailers, or I'll never make it until after Christmas! (argh, so far away)

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

How many trailers can they put out, anyway?

[live-in-morocco.livejournal.com]

as corny as this sounds, i got chills. i need to reread this book as soon as possible.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Hee, I did too. I don't know if it was when they first showed Asriel's face during the northern lights scene, or "I'll never be yours!" or what. Of course, I'm a sucker for fantasy trailers anyway--I pretty much cried through every Narnia trailer I saw.

[trede.livejournal.com]

I loved the first trailer, but I didn't like this new one much at all. Having read the books I know better, but to the average movie-goer that must look like just yet another in the recent string of young-kid-caught-up-in-a-fantasy-world movies. I can imagine some of my friends seeing that trailer and comparing it to The Seeker.

Also, what's with calling the Aleithiometer the "golden compass" in the movie's dialogue? I know it's the name of the book in America, but those words aren't ever used in the books are they?

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure it's at least described as looking like one. I'm sure they're probably using it in dialogue, or at least takes of the dialogue with that phrase in it, so people know what they're talking about for sure. I mean, what if you walk in on a commercial halfway through? Most trailers are engineered to spoonfeed people as much as possible.

[gannet-guts.livejournal.com]

It's so lame, but I teared up during that trailer. I tear up at every trailer, damm emotions.

I can't get over how much I love Sam Elliot as Lee. Originally I didn't, I thought he was too old. But now? Total and utter love.

Also not really liking McKellen for Iorek. I love him, just not as this character.

Brief glimpse of Christopher Lee, woo!

[gabsy.livejournal.com]

And yet, the little thing that makes me ridiculously happy is Freddie Highmore's voice. Why? I'm not sure. It's just perfect and cute.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I KNOW! It's so good as a counterpart to Dakota Blue Richards for some reason.

[chaosdancer.livejournal.com]

I was all set not to agree with you about Iorek, but having seen the preview now I totally agree. The previous voice was better, much more in character. Iorek is other-than-human and the voice should reflect that, as much as possible.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

That's exactly it, like I said somewhere up in the comments--McKellen just has too much human nuance, which is normally a good thing. Just not here.

[nohara-megami.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that I got chills. That was way awesome, I am now looking forward to this even more (if it is even possible lol)

I have no real opinion of Iorek's voice. I liked the first one they had in the other trailer, but then again I love Ian McKellen way to much that whatever part he would have in this movie would make me happy.

I guess I am going to have to get off my bum and go re-read the books sooner than later. I have not read them in about 4 or 5 years, though I got my high school aged brother into the series last year and he loved them^_^

[elendiari22.livejournal.com]

You know, I've never had the slightest urge to read these books (something about the anti-religion sentiment turns me off of them), but every time I see a trailer for this movie, I am beside myself with excitement. This is going to be one of those rare fantasy movies where I haven't read the book first.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Usually, if something's coming out and I haven't read the book, I try to wait until I've seen the movie anyway. That way, you have no chance of hating the movie *just because* it was different from the book. So I think you'll be okay. : )

[spectralbovine.livejournal.com]

Aw, you're right. The original Iorek had such a commanding, deep, thick voice. Ian McKellen has a great voice, but it doesn't fit as well! Maybe we'll get used to it.

What's with everyone calling it the golden compass? I hope they haven't completely lost the term "alethiometer." They used it in the first trailer!

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

The second time I watched it, I noticed that you don't actually see the actor speaking during the "golden compass" line--maybe they redubbed it just for the trailer?

[gracefulfool.livejournal.com]

Wow, I never thought I'd agree that Ian McKellan wasn't the right choice for any role, but you're right, I definitely miss the original guy ('I have a contract with the child' just doesn't sound the same anymore!)...

But other than that, I'm still looking forward to this one! :)

[all-ephemera.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Why is it that every little British kid (aside from HP) always ends up being the weediest and scrawniest thing they can find with the ingratiating smile and weird hair?

Aside from that one point, I'm on board so far.

[incogra.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't like McKellen's voice for Iorek at all. Besides being too emotional, it's too grandfatherly. It makes Iorek sound a certain age, whereas the old voice had kind of a timeless, and therefore inhuman, quality. The rest of the trailer is great, though.

[izzy-unkempt.livejournal.com]

exactly! I was trying to put my issues into words, and this is it :)

[eofs.livejournal.com]

I never got round to reading the books, even though I intended to since... before Amber Spyglass was released (I can remember my friend being excited over the release). But my stance towards the film has been similar to my LotR policy - if the fans of the books are suitably impressed by the final product, I'll make some effort to see it. (Of course, then I got sucked into the pre-film marketing for Fellowship and there was no longer a question of 'if' ;0)

Indeed, when I saw the trailer for the film before OotP this summer I thought it looked like it was going to be gorgeous. In fact, I just rewatched that trailer and it still excites me. Ok, some of it is the editing (I'm such a sucker for editing, especially in trailers and adverts). But still. It looks pretty, it looks compelling and you just get little snippets of the story.

This new one though... it seriously needs to lose the 45 seconds of exposition from the front. And this is coming from somebody who, as I say, hasn't read the books. In fact I don't think I know anything more about the plot than that it's got a little girl called Lyra, it's set in Oxford somehow and everyone has an animal spirit guide doodad. And it's anti-religion in some fashion. And I still say they need to lose the exposition. It should start at the New Line logo. It makes me worry that the exposition could be as clunky in the film itself.

Or possibly the narrator just needs a deeper voice, the timbre isn't quite right and it's unsettling.

Also, ice bear? Is that from the books? I know that a lot of European languages polar bears are called ice bears, thus the phrase in English always reminds me of slightly careless translations, false friends and the like. As a consequence, I cannot take it seriously in English. Of course stick it into a German context and I'm more than happy (since to English ears at least Eisbär is virtually the same).

I still don't understand why it's being marketed as The Golden Compass in the UK. It's moronic. When adapting a highly successful book with good name recognition, surely it makes sense to call the film the same thing. It's as stupid as marketing in the US as The Northern Lights, surely.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I feel like the exposition may be a panicked attempt on New Line's part to explain things to people--not that the movie won't, but they may feel that the concept isn't easily explained, and they're afraid people won't be interested if it's not spoonfed to them. I know on that Yahoo page they already have a clip about daemons up, like people would actually go OH MY GOD WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?! ANIMALS, YOU SAY?? They really are going into overdrive to make sure people understand what's going on. Of course, I also hear that New Line has a lot of money riding on this, and that they're to the point where a hit could save the studio.

In the books, the bears, by the way, are called Panserbjørne or, literally, "armored bears." I don't know that I've ever heard "ice bear" in a Dark Materials context before.

[christwise.livejournal.com]

So why was I standing in the rain if it's out already? Sheesh.

Thanks to your linkspam I found out about the screening and since I've recently moved to NYC I was so there. Although not many other people were. The place didn't have many people and, at least in my corner, most of those there were tourists who had just wandered off the street. Sam Elliot talked for about 30 seconds. And I didn't even win the tickets to the premier. Bummer. I did act like a total ham and did an interview with MTV though. Shameless, utterly shameless.

And even though the rain sucked it did start right at the climax of the trailer which was kind of cool.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Aww, cool. They showed it at 8:30 EST, right? I think the trailer hit the interwebs at 9:00 EST (8 pm my time), because I was watching Google Reader for it, so you did get to see it a bit early. And in much higher quality, I would imagine. I did wonder what they'd have Sam Elliott do out there, if it was just a trailer premiere and not, like, tacked on to an actual gala event.

[cleojones.livejournal.com]

"I love him, but... the voice they had in the earlier trailers was just so perfect."

I agree... But who knows, it may just work. *crosses fingers harder*

BTW...Guess what I just saw (http://dcmoviegirl.blogspot.com/2007/10/elizabeth-golden-age.html), tonight?

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Oooh, a romp! That's pretty much all I was hoping for. I always felt like Cate made the first movie and that it wasn't necessarily that great aside from her, so it's not like the second one has all that much to live up to in my mind. Just the part in the trailer where she starts pwning people at the top of her lungs is good enough for me.

[evilbearhunter.livejournal.com]

But, but, but, the alethiometer doesn't give a glimpse of the future! It tells the truth! Otherwise, excellent trailer. I am stoked.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not sure how that got thrown in there, particularly since that wasn't the original line in the previous trailer. This trailer seems to be all weirded up with changes, for some reason.

[cran.livejournal.com]

The trailer is amazing. The bears, the wolves, the falcons... they look better than I'd imagined.

Did you hear that they're changing the ending (http://www.canmag.com/nw/9214-golden-compass-ending) (sort of), though? I'm not sure how I feel about that.

[cleolinda.livejournal.com]

I'm a little terrified that the article refers to "director Ian McShane."

[eruvadhril.livejournal.com]

This movie is going to be so awesome.

[meandstuff.livejournal.com]

Eurgh I HATE voice-overs in trailers. I hope the international one is different because if it's this one instead of squeeing in my seat at the movies until December, I'll be squirming.

Of course, I'll still see it no matter how much the trailer makes me cringe. Half the time the bad trailered movies are better than the films with good ones.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

What distresses me the most after seeing this trailer is Lyra--where's her fire? Her dead little "What's this?" "What's it for?" as she's handed the compass sounded like it was coming from someone with an IQ of 40. She doesn't look at all like the girl who'd sneak into cupboards and climb over rooftops and say things like, "Can I see the man's head?" to Lord Asriel.

I honestly don't remember the original voice of Iorek; I know I'll be thinking of the voice actor in the full-cast audiobook who played him and thinking no one will measure up, so, I'm working hard on letting that go. That's probably why I'll never be able to see anyone other than Natasha Richardson as Mrs. Coulter, as she read the abridged audiobook of The Golden Compass. Nicole Kidman looks wrong wrong wrong to me, but I imagine that's just me.

And a side plea--may I have, from this point on, fantasy stories that contain no prophecies or destinies, ever? Prophecies are the dreadful McGuffens of fantasy and I want them mocked as cliche for the rest of my life. Yes, His Dark Materials is still fabulous despite that, but, come on. Make characters do s**t without copping out on prophecies.

The witches do look amazing. Spot-on.

[blacktigr.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. There's something wrong with this Lyra. (I'm reading the last book right now...)

[biomekanic.livejournal.com]

When Iorek bursts out onto the square... I kept expecting him to yell "You shall not pass!"
Again I find myself in agreement with Wil Wheaton - a big name does not neccessarily equal a better voice actor performance.

In regards to the naming of the bears... Panzerbjorn did make me think of tanks... but I'm a tank nerd. I don't think it's an unapt name though, they are in their own way the tanks of their world - big, powerful, and they tend to send the foot soldiers scrambling for cover.

[the_rainbow_jen]

Have you seen this: http://glumbert.com/wii/view.php?name=womenfilm

I love the image morph, but its also interesting to look at in terms of what the film industry has seen as beautiful throughout the ages.

[sphynxlike.livejournal.com]

Haven't listened to it yet, but I'm already doubtful about McKellen. I'm with everyone else who thought the original voice was just right.

But Kathy Bates as Hester, oh yeah :)

[sphynxlike.livejournal.com]

*as I'm at work, bad library girl!

[mysticowl.livejournal.com]

You're right, McKellen doesn't sound right at all. Maybe it's because I already connected the deeper voice to Iorek, but the scene in this trailer felt like the bear was one entity and a disembodied voice was another. I hope it doesn't jar too badly during the movie, I'm all set to enjoy it.