The Golden Compass (film) - Sequels

Sequels

At the time of The Golden Compass' theatrical release, Chris Weitz pledged to "protect integrity" of the prospective sequels by being "much less compromising" in the book-to-film adaptation process. New Line Cinema commissioned Hossein Amini to write a screenplay based on the second book in the trilogy, The Subtle Knife, potentially for release in 2010 or 2011, with the third book of the trilogy, The Amber Spyglass, to follow. However, New Line president Toby Emmerich stressed that production of the second and third films was dependent on the financial success of The Golden Compass. When The Golden Compass did not meet expectations at the United States box office, the likelihood of a sequel was downplayed by New Line. According to studio co-head Michael Lynne, "The jury is still very much out on the movie, and while it's performed very strongly overseas we'll look at it early 2008 and see where we're going with a sequel."

In February 2008, Chris Weitz told The Daily Yomiuri, a Japanese newspaper, that he still hoped for the sequels' production: "at first it looked like we were down for the count because in the U.S. underperformed, but then internationally it performed than expectations. So, a lot depends on Japan, frankly... I think if it does well enough here we'll be in good shape for that". And although producer Deborah Forte had, that March, expressed optimism that the sequels could be made, and that she intended to see them realised, the studio decided against producing them, with The Independent speculating that December and the uncertain economic climate may have contributed to their cancellation.

By October 2008, the two planned sequels were officially placed on hold, according to New Line Cinema, because of financial concerns during the global recession. Sam Elliot, however, stated, "The Catholic Church ... lambasted them, and I think it scared New Line off."