Pullman trilogy gets new director

British director Anand Tucker has been chosen to take over the making of the first movie in author Philip Pullman's award-winning trilogy.

Anand takes over from Chris Weitz, who said he resigned from the film because of its huge "technical challenges".

The first in the fantasy trilogy is The Golden Compass, which has the UK title Northern Lights.

Pullman said he welcomed the appointment of Tucker, calling his ideas "exciting".

Anand's previous work includes Hilary and Jackie, about the lives of musicians Jacqueline and Hilary Du Pre.

New Line Cinema met with more than 50 film-makers interested in taking on the project before handing it to Tucker.

"The opportunity to turn Philip Pullman's extraordinary story into a film is literally a dream come true," said Tucker.

"I instantly fell in love with His Dark Materials when it was first published, and have been a huge fan ever since."

He added: "Phillip has created an incredibly universal story about a reluctant hero whose destiny is nothing less than to save mankind."