NSW: fans greet Kidman at red carpet premiere of The Golden Compass

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2007
NSW: fans greet Kidman at red carpet premiere of The Golden Compass

SYDNEY, Dec 16 AAP - Rain couldn't dampen the pulling power of Australian superstar
Nicole Kidman, as nearly a thousand fans showed up at the Sydney premiere of her latest
movie, The Golden Compass.

Traffic was closed on Market St and parts of Pitt St in central Sydney as Kidman and
her entourage took centre stage in wet, stormy weather before making a grand entrance
to The State Theatre at 5.50pm (AEDT).

The Oscar winner, who wore a striking silver pant suit and spent about 10 minutes meeting
fans and signing autographs, said she was happy to make a film in which a little girl
was the protagonist.

Kidman plays a supporting role as scholar and explorer Marisa Coulter in the fantasy
adventure based on the novel by the same name which tells the first story of author Philip
Pullman's trilogy.

Kidman said her decision to star in a fantasy film came after Pullman wrote her a letter.

"I mean, my decisions are so erratic, I just choose off the cuff a lot of times, but
primarily this was because Philip Pullman wrote me an amazing letter telling me that when
he was writing the novels he had me in mind," Kidman told AAP.

"So that's hard to turn down, he's such a good novelist."

Kidman is equally happy to be spending Christmas with her family in Australia - and
not to be working.

Kidman's latest project, the Baz Luhrmann epic, Australia, which also stars Hugh Jackman,
wraps up on Wednesday after nine months of filming.

"It will nice not to be working," she said.

The Golden Compass opens on December 26 and stars Dakota Blue Richards, Eva Green,
and Daniel Craig.

AAP krc/jlw/sco/de

KEYWORD: KIDMAN (PIX AVAILABLE)

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