A HOLLYWOOD actor who starred in the movie inspired by Oxford author Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy says the Roman Catholic Church “scared off” film producers. The film The Golden Compass, starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Eva Green, won an Oscar for the best visual effects, and grossed more than £230m worldwide after it hit cinema screens in 2007.
But to date, studio bosses at New Line Cinema have shelved plans to film the last two instalments, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, despite the success of the first movie.
Catholic campaigners in America organised a boycott of The Golden Compass.
Asked what happened to the series, Sam Elliott, 65, who played Lee Scoresby, told the London Evening Standard: “The Catholic Church happened to The Golden Compass, as far as I’m concerned.
“It did incredibly at the box office, taking $380m. Incredible.
“The Catholic Church ... lambasted them. I think it scared New Line off.”
In the three novels, which are set in a series of parallel worlds, heroine Lyra fights the Magisterium, an evil organisation some have interpreted as being based on the Catholic Church.
The boycott of the film in the United States was organised by Bill Donohue of the Catholic League For Religious And Civil Rights.
He told the Evening Standard: “I am delighted the boycott worked. Just as the producers have a right to make the movie, I have a right to protest.”
Mr Pullman, who lives outside Oxford, was unavailable for comment.
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