manchester

showbiz

Star search for Dark Materials' Lyra

MOVIE bosses are hoping to find an unknown for one of cinema's biggest forthcoming roles - that of Lyra in His Dark Materials.

New Line Cinema, the studio behind Lord of The Rings, is launching a nationwide casting search of open auditions.

It is looking for a young actress to play the lead role of Lyra Belacqua in the film version of The Golden Compass, the first in Philip Pullman's best-selling trilogy.

Casting directors want to discover a talented young actress who embodies "Lyra's loyalty, bravery and mischievous nature".

Initial open casting calls will take place in Cambridge, Kendal, Oxford and Exeter during the first two weeks of April.

They will be open to girls between the ages of nine and 13 and acting experience is not necessary.

The film is being directed by British filmmaker Anand Tucker and no casting announcements have yet been made.