Colin Farrell Cites "The Golden Compass" For Wrecking New Line

Colin Farrell is out right now doing press for "In Bruges," a darkly comic tale of two hit men exiled to the Belgian city of canals after a job gone wrong. The film opens Friday, but wasn't the only project on his mind.

During Monday's New York junket at the Regency Hotel, Farrell was asked about his other recent films including Woody Allen's current "Cassandra's Dream" and the endlessly upcoming "Pride and Glory," a gritty cop tale filmed in 2006. So what's to blame for the film's problems? The Nicole Kidman flop "The Golden Compass."

Farrell, who alternatively sipped from and ashed into a cup of water on the table in front of him, pointedly spoke to 'Pride and Glory's" holding pattern.

"They pushed it just now to 2009. [A reporter starts to speak, Farrell interrupts] I was going to say it's not because, there's this rumor going around that it's because it's a mess or it's a really bad film.

I feel the need to kind of speak up, not from my own end but genuinely for Gavin O'Connor because he wrote and directed it.

It's just a really really strong piece, but I think New Line lost the bollocks on "The Golden Compass," you know love, and they literally don't have enough money to market things.

"Pride" is a tricky one to market anyways. It's pretty dark... I've seen it. Gavin did a great job and you know, Jon Voight is brilliant in it, and Ed [Norton] is great in it and a really strong cast of supporting characters... It's a really strong piece."

So there you go. "Pride and Glory" is fantastic, the problem is that "The Golden Compass" was not. Farrell also had plenty to say about the joys of making "Bruges," more of which is to come.

Comments

[TALLEST]

Drank from the same cup of water he was ashing his cigarette into?!?!? GROSS! He is a fine actor however.

[Gumby123]

Pretty interesting posts about the 'all-powerful' Christofacists bringing such horrible curses on this movie. How about free market dictating the box office receipts? How about the free will to make a choice about seeing the movie or not? I don't know about you conspiracy theorists but I didn't see any Christians picketing the movie theatres where I live in California. Even if they did, I would ignore them and go see the movie anyway. You lot are a bunch of anti-christian crypto-bigots really.

[KyleCope]

I was just glad Golden Compass tanked, as much as I love Daniel Craig. Fact is Chris Weitz directed it, he of American Pie fame, and he, the trust fund baby and heir of 70s/80s designer icon John Weitz.

Some of us have to work for our money/breaks.

Didja see the Hillary Clinton "Terminator" spoof? LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMgxFE6bms

[mhj555]

"Golden Compass" was a decent movie that did well everywhere but in America.
The Christofacists made sure the box office was bad in the US.

[MutualDisdain]

The Golden Compass was simply a bad movie and that had nothing to do with the politics or ideology of the film.

The plot of Compass was disjointed and lacked rising action. The female lead was poorly cast and did little to endear herself with the audience. The only redeeming quality was the special effects of the film.

Because of his personal life, Colin Farrell has damaged his career. Any movie in which he plays the lead male is blanketed by the fact that many people believe him to be a bit "skank."

What he needs is good PR for his personal life. He needs a few TMZ shots of him at an orphanage, children's hospital, or soup kitchen. People believe him to be a self-important lush, and that image has to change before he can sell another film.

[Rockwell]

Sadly the fundamentalist are taking credit for the demise of Compass. But I doubt they had much impact except in Dirtwater Texas.

There were too many factors working against Compass without the help of the nut-jobs.

1. Nichole Kidman. I like her but she does have a gift for picking weak movies. Bewitched anyone?

2. Fantasy overload. Did we really need another special effects spectacular? When you've watched the Order of the Phoenix 25 times on DVD, do you really want to drop $60 bucks on tickets, popcorn and a sticky theater seat?

3. Word of mouth. A mediocre movie can't survive low buzz and this movie certainly didn't spark recommendations from family and friends.

I love Daniel Craig. He's handsome and intensely talented but even he can't compel me to drop a dollar in the Red Box for this movie.

So congratualtions all you bug-eyed Bible thumpers. You torpedoed an already sinking ship. Way to make a difference!

[egghumor]

Based on the three previous films I've seen, the biggest problem with a Colin Farrell movie is Farrell himself. What do director's see in this guy? Audiences have clearly lost interest in him, and it's no wonder. If you've witnessed his "performances" in "Alexander," or "A Home at the End of the World," etc., you'll know that he doesn't warrant star status or pay. Distributors must be quite conflicted as to whether or not to sink (and likely lose) heavy distribution costs or cut their losses and dump the film.

[OhgReaTone]

Does hollywood sometimes get it wrong- or did the wacko evangelicals successfully torpedo The Golden Compass.
Ohg
http://thefiresidepost.com/2007/11/28/creativity-spirituality-and-the-golden-compass/

[truthyguy]

He seems like a nice young man, and I am sure one day, if he keeps at it, he will be a fine actor.

[mamacat]

OK, here's my take. Mr. Farrell is a really good actor, and handsome, but he keeps choosing dumbass macho roles. What is with that? There is more to movies than bang bang, shoot em up, look handsome and put-upon in front of the camera, and then call it a movie.
How about a plot that involves more than testerone gone wild? A little action in a movie is OK, but how about some suspense, comedy, romance, drama, and entertainment along the way?
Too many actors, of both sexes, seem to think that violence in a movie is a worthwhile substitute for substance. Oh well.

[gulopartisan]

Loved The Golden Compass. But I can't wait to see another movie populated with gutter mouthed killers I'm supposed to feel sorry for. Uh, not.

[jubo]

Some actors carry pictures. He is not one of them.

[mystified]

Am sharing the same thoughts as tinkaboutit. Why are you being so unfair to Nicole Kidman? The Golden Compass did not do well in the U.S. period. It is otherwise a world-wide hit. Check your facts the next time and try and be fair and responsible in your reporting. That is why I visit The Huffington post. If I want gossip and mean-spirited news there is always Perezhilton.com

[ObamaEdwards]

What? Colin...? I read the first paragraph but it's a blur. An actor was in some movies. And he says they're real good. Right? OK, gotta go.

[Eric8869]

The Golden Compass was the worst film I saw all year long - effects without anything interesting going on. Nicole Kidman looking great but not villainous enough. Polar Bears knocking each others jaws off like a Coke Commercial gone wrong.

The story is about Kids running around with their "demons" which are pets like Ferrets or birds that feel pain when they do. Doesn't that sound like a great movie...no­pe and it wasn't.