New Line Cinema's "The Golden Compass" Swings Past $100 Million Mark at International Box Office

Market Wire, December, 2007

New Line Cinema's "The Golden Compass" passed the $100 million mark in international box office gross Wednesday as the film continues its successful worldwide run since its Dec. 7 opening.

After opening #1 in 23 territories, the fantasy adventure film has continued to play well with notable performances in the United Kingdom ($26.7 million), Spain ($11.4 million), France ($10.3 million), Germany ($9.8 million), Russia ($6.8 million) and Asia ($11.3 million), including a spectacular $3.5 million in its South Korean debut (opening day and previews). "The Golden Compass" has yet to open in Australia and New Zealand (Dec. 26), parts of South America (Dec. 20 - Dec. 25), India (Jan. 4), and Japan (March 1).

"We're very pleased to see the film open at number one in so many territories, but it's even more encouraging to have such strong holds," says Rolf Mittweg, President and COO of New Line Worldwide Distribution and Marketing. "We've always viewed 'The Golden Compass' as a global property."

An exciting fantasy adventure, the film is set in an alternative world populated by talking bears who fight wars, witches, Gyptians, and daemons. In the world of "The Golden Compass," a person's soul lives on the outside of their body in the form of a daemon, an animal spirit that accompanies them through life. 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 -- 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 ("Ghost Rider"), Eva Green ("Casino Royale") and the voices of Ian McKellen ("The Lord of the Rings"), Ian McShane ("Deadwood"), Freddie Highmore ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"), Kathy Bates ("Charlotte's Web"), and Kristin Scott Thomas ("Gosford Park"). The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz ("About A Boy," "Antz") and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro.

About New Line Cinema Corporation:

Celebrating its 40th anniversary year, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).

Contact: Candice McDonough (LA) (310) 967-6991