Not child's play: 'Dark Materials' film proves too much for director
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The director of the long-awaited film adaptation of Philip Pullman's fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials has resigned, it was announced yesterday.
Chris Weitz, who directed About A Boy and the teen comedy American Pie, cited "technical" difficulties as he stood down. But Mr Weitz said he would remain involved in the "extraordinary" venture by continuing on the production as screenwriter. "It will be an extraordinary film, but at this point in my life, I am not the right director to bring it to pass," he said.
Mr Weitz was in the early production stages of adapting The Golden Compass, the first book of the award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy. The best-selling trilogy charts the other-worldly adventures of Lyra Belacqua, a young girl who embarks on an imaginative odyssey to the far north to save her best friend.
But the trilogy has attracted controversy in America, where critics have condemned its anti-religious stance. Mr Weitz's resignation came only days after he announced plans to remove references to God or churches to try to appease protests by the Christian right.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments