Doubts Cast Over 'Golden Compass' Sequel Plans

Despite its success overseas, the novel-based film The Golden Compass might not be followed by a sequel following its disappointing run in the United States last year due in part to boycott calls by Christian conservatives.

Although director Chris Weitz had expressed his intention to make sequels based upon the remaining two novels from the “His Dark Materials” fantasy series, the books’ author, Philip Pullman, informed British media last week that he had not yet been contacted about plans for a sequel.

"When the first film was in production, I was talking to the studio and to Chris Weitz and producers quite frequently,” the British author and avowed atheist told The Independent. “I'm sure I would be now if the sequel was in production.”

Similarly, regarding the next film’s rumored 2009 release, Pullman told The Daily Telegraph: "I think people were hoping it would be out then but without the film actually having a production start date there can't be a due date."

Still, Pullman said he remained “hopeful” The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass would be made into films, insisting that it is quite normal for potential films to remain in limbo for some time before a final decision was made.

The first installment of the potential film trilogy, The Golden Compass, was released last December in theaters following the success of other recent adaptations of fantasy epics, such as Christian apologist C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” series and J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”

Before its release, the film received heavy criticism from some faith-based organizations for the source material's anti-Christian and atheistic themes, as well as from secular organizations and fans of His Dark Materials for the dilution of the religious elements from the novels.

While the film was successful overseas, making around $300 million, it made only $70 million in the United States, which some attributed to the boycotting of the film.