'His Dark Materials' good to go

Lead character Lyra has finally been cast so 'The Golden Compass' can now go into production.

Jun 29 2006

Following an extensive nationwide search, 12-year-old newcomer Dakota Blue Richards has finally been cast in the role of Lyra Belacqua in eagerly anticipated fantasy epic 'The Golden Compass'.

The first part of Phillip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy will now go into production on September 4 in the hope that it will reach screens on November 16, 2007.

More than 10,000 girls attended casting calls across the UK to compete for the role, but director Chris Weitz says Richards was the obvious choice.

'Dakota made what should have been an extremely difficult decision quite easy,' the 'About a Boy' director explained. 'We wanted a completely new face for Lyra, but I was surprised that any young girl, especially one without training, could light up the screen as Dakota does.'

Author Pullman also lent his support to the casting, saying 'As soon as I saw Dakota's screen test, I realised that the search was over.'

'Dakota has just the combination of qualities that make up the complicated character of this girl, and I very much look forward to seeing the film take shape, with Dakota's Lyra at the heart of it.'

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