New Line Cinema and Scholastic Media have announced that they have licensed Cards Inc., Master Replicas and affiliates to create a full range of toys based on the upcoming New Line Cinema fantasy film The Golden Compass.  Based on the first volume in Phillip Pullman's fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass (see 'New Line's The Golden Compass') is a major initiative for New Line Cinema, the studio that brought fantasy movies into the blockbuster category with Peter Jackson's adaptation of another fantasy trilogy, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. 

Already in production with a cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott and Ian McShane, The Golden Compass, which Chris Weitz (About a Boy) is writing and directing, is set to debut on November 16th, 2007.

Cards Inc. and Master Replicas will unveil their original line of toys based on The Golden Compass at the winter toy shows including the New York Toy Fair in February. Corgi recently acquired Cards Inc. and merged with Master Replicas in a recent deal (see 'Corgi Acquires Cards Inc.'), and the acquisition of this license is the first major move by the newly merged companies.  Look for them to emphasize the collectiblity in the design of their new line of original toys for The Golden Compass.

Scholastic is planning a major publishing program in conjunction with the movie that will include an Official Illustrated Movie Companion, poster books, and movie storybooks.