New Line Cinema has announced that it will present a sneak preview in 800 theaters nationwide tonight of the fantasy film “The Golden Compass” by director Chris Weitz and starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Dakota Blue Richards and Sam Elliott.

“The Golden Compass” is based on author Philip Pullman’s bestselling and award-winning novel, and tells the first story in Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. The Golden Compass is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in an alternative world where people’s souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by newcomer Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who’s been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers – and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The Golden Compass stars an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, and Ian McShane. The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz (About A Boy, Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro (Frequency). It is executive produced by Andrew Miano and Paul Weitz (In Good Company).

The film will be in theaters everywhere on December 7th, 2007.

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