“It’s a struggle to deliver a film that both people who haven’t read the book and the hardcore fans will want to see.”
One particular sticking point has been the nature of the religious allegory, something that becomes increasingly vivid in the next two books.
“Pretty early on, I laid out that I wasn’t going to use the word ‘church’,” says Chris.
“Mostly to me that was choosing not to be aggressive because I don’t believe His Dark Materials is an aggressive anti-religious or anti-Catholic series of books.”
Craig, however, has hinted that he would have welcomed more of the religious content.
“I wish there was, because I think the debate that Philip Pullman raises is incredibly healthy,” he says.
“I think the thing that Philip Pullman has done so spectacularly is using the platform of a children’s book to deal with very adult themes. My hope is that people will watch this film and read the books.”
As fans flock into cinemas from tomorrow to see The Golden Compass, Craig himself will be settling into rehearsals for his eagerly awaited return as 007 in the as-yet-untitled sequel to Casino Royale.
Neither project will do much to restore the anonymity he enjoyed before his climb to stardom via the likes of The Power of One, Tomb Raider and the Road to Perdition.
Born Daniel Wroughton Craig on March 2, 1968, at 41, Liverpool Road, in Chester, before moving to Hoylake, Wirral. His interest in acting was encouraged by visits to the Liverpool Everyman Theatre.
From the age of six, he started acting in school plays, making his debut in the Frodsham Primary School production of Oliver!
By 14, Craig had played roles in Oliver, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella at Hilbre High School, in West Kirby, before he left at 16 to audition for the National Youth Theatre’s troupe on their tour in Manchester in 1984.
He was accepted and moved down to London in 1988, entering the Guildhall School of Music and Drama at the Barbican.
As with all his predecessors, the image of James Bond hangs heavy, and impacts on Craig’s day-to-day life like no other movie role.
“I can’t go to the pub any more, for very long anyway – I can go in and grab a couple of pints then run out,” he said recently of the day-to-day change it had brought to his life. “People tend to use their mobile phones on me a lot, they carefully bring them around and take a quick picture.”
He says he is accepting of his new status, but there are limits: “You know, if I’m up for it, fine. I have to keep hold of my sense of humour, because you can lose it very quickly and you start retreating into yourself; then you can’t go anywhere unless you are with armed guards, and the whole thing becomes ridiculous.
“So you have to smile about these things. But I tell you, trying to take pictures of me when I’m having a p--- is not welcome and never will be. And, yes, that’s happened.”
Recently, Craig – who is rum- oured to be engaged to his film producer girlfriend Satsuki Mit- chell, but fiercely private about his personal life – signed a con- tract for four more 007 outings following Casino Royale, which would take him up to Bond 25.
And once the publicity tours end for The Golden Compass, it is back to the gym to prepare for Bond 22.
After all, he set the bar high in his first film as far as the new Bond’s physique is concerned – much to the delight of female fans.
“I was big for the last one, and it wasn’t a mistake, it was a definite statement,” he recalls. “This guy, when he takes his shirt off, should look like he could kill someone.
“Last time I did a lot of weights to bulk up because I had to do it quickly. This time I’m going to do more boxing and more running.
“I need to be physically strong for Bond and, as much as I looked in great shape, I got a lot of injuries, probably due to the fact that I wasn’t doing enough running and jumping, which is what I needed to do in the film.
“I won’t look physically much different, but I won’t be as ‘no neck’ as I was last time.”
* THE Golden Compass is out in cinemas now.
* SEE a picture gallery from the premiere at www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/videos-pictures
