Blackmoor Vituperative

OXFORD (Reuters) – Thousands of young girls auditioned on Tuesday for a chance to star in a new movie franchise that promises to be a dark rival to the “Harry Potter” films.

Philip Pullman’s bestseller “His Dark Materials” trilogy is being adapted for the screen by New Line Cinema, which also made the “Lord of the Rings” films.

The first installment, “The Golden Compass,” follows a young protagonist named Lyra Belacqua who travels to the Arctic Circle to save a friend with the help of a bear and a witch.

Producers are scouring England to find an actress aged 9 to 13 who can embody her “loyalty, bravery and mischievous nature.”

Pullman’s books have been a hit with critics, adults and children alike, although some groups objected to their strong criticism of organized religion.

(From Yahoo! News, UK girls vie for role in ‘Dark Materials’ films)

I have never even heard of these books. I guess I’ll have to add them to my ever-growing list of books I intend to read.