For months the rumour mill has been grinding away with speculation that Paul Bettany will be taking the role of Lord Asriel in The Golden Compass, AKA the first His Dark Materials film.
But no, it turns out that Bettany was the chaff and Daniel Craig – yes, 007 himself – is the wheat in this particular overextended casting metaphor. He’ll be the heroic yet ruthless adventurer who also happens to be the father of young Lyra Belacqua, and who helps her out on her adventure to save her best friend.
It’ll be something of a reunion for Craig – putting him back alongside The Visiting’s Nicole Kidman and Casino Royale’s Eva Green.
Chris Weitz starts directing the film in the UK on 4 September. And once Craig's finished battling giant bears and the evil Marisa Coulter (Kidman), he’ll be slipping back into Bond’s tux for the 22nd 007 adventure. That’s provided they have a script. And a director. Oh, and a soundstage that doesn’t currently have the consistency of a burnt Pop Tart.