This Is Why I Love the Golden Compass Series...
...because in the third and last book of the series, The Amber Spyglass, which I just started reading, two anti-establishment fallen angels named Balthamos and Baruch aide in the quest to de-throne The Authority (a.k.a. God) and also just happen to be [cue drumroll] ...
GAY and IN LOVE:
"Baruch sat down beside his companion, and Will stirred the fire, so that a cloud of smoke drifted past the two of them. It had the effect of outlining their bodies so that he could see them both clearly for the first time. Balthamos was slender; his narrow wings were folded elegantly behind his shoulders, and his face bore an expression that mingled haughty disdain with a tender, ardent sympathy, as if he would love all things if only his nature could let him forget their defects. But he saw no defects in Baruch, that was clear. Baruch seemed younger, as Balthamos had said he was, and was more powerfully built, his wings snow-white and massive. He had a simpler nature; he looked up to Balthamos as to the fount of all knowledge and joy. Will found himself intrigued and moved by their love for each other."
Not bad for a kids book. Unfortunately, if the next two movies are as watered down as the first, this plotline will be conveniently glossed over.
//Josh K.
Gayngels, hot
Posted by: AJ | May 06, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I don't think you have to worry about the next two movies. They won't be making them.
Posted by: Andy Peters | May 06, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Tricky to say if they'll make a second one...the film did miserably here in the U.S., but it looks like it did fantastically well overseas ($301,000,000, according to Wikipedia). Further muddling the issue: apparently New Line sold the overseas distribution rights, so it doesn't actually get to see most of that three hundred million. Basically, Golden Compass made money...New Line just didn't get much of it. So whether or not they'll bother to make another one is a big ol' questionmark.
Posted by: Steve | May 07, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I know - _you_ make the next film(s) - it will be excellent, and you'll finally be rich as you are famous ;)
Posted by: scholiast | May 07, 2008 at 04:38 PM
I'm glad it did so poorly here in the states, because, truth be told, I'd rather they didn't make the next two. The first was such a mess and I'd hate to see them fuck it up even further. That said: Nicole Kidman's character Ms. Coulter should have her own trilogy. She was awesome.
Posted by: Josh K. | May 07, 2008 at 05:26 PM
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982066.html?categoryid=1246&cs=1
"One way or another, Forte won't give up the fight. "I will make 'The Subtle Knife' and 'The Amber Spyglass,'" she vows. "I believe there are enough people who see what a viable and successful franchise we have.""
Posted by: Eric | May 07, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Sounds like a book I would love . . . fantasy, overthrowing an (symbolic) organization that believes in a wise old grandpa in the sky, a character with my name, and a gay friendly theme. I think I could handle that.
Posted by: Will | May 08, 2008 at 01:25 AM
Sadly, I don't believe there will be sequels; the first movie performed so badly at the box office that it pretty much killed the next two. I think the producers saw this coming though, thinking about how they ended the first movie, leaving out the last fifty pages of the book.
Posted by: Nichols | May 08, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I have to say I was impressed, had to read it twice to make sure I wasn't misinterpreting what was there. As you say it probably wont make it to the big screen, but to be honest, the first film wasn’t that impressive so the only reason why I would go to see it would be if there was going to be some hot angel action! Extremely shallow I know!I’m a firm believer that if you are going to make literary brilliance into a film you have to follow the book word for word, I don’t care how long its going to be. The Golden Compass bared hardly any similarity to the book.
Posted by: James | May 08, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Be sure to discuss the gay issue in Subtle Knife again after you finish the book for a more thorough discussion of it.
Posted by: gc | May 08, 2008 at 08:13 PM
sad but true it probably will. :(
Posted by: chris | May 09, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Well well, I started the same book and can't wait to get to that point now! I must say, I have to thank THE MOVIE for introducing me to the books. At first didn't seem all that but watch twice more in a plane and saw it was worth it. Doing millions in DVD in Europe by the way... So thanks for the movie and keep the other two coming. Love Gayngels! Hope they appear in movie!
Posted by: Jordi | May 11, 2008 at 08:08 PM