New Line Cinema has announced a UK-widecasting call to find a young actress to play the lead role, LyraBelacqua, in its forthcoming feature The Golden Compass.

Shopgirl director AnandTucker will direct The Golden Compass,the first in New Line's planned trilogy based on Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials books. Deborah Forteof Scholastic Media is producing.

Casting directors Fiona Weir and Lucy Bevan will hold open casting calls in Cambridge, Kendal, Oxford, and Exeter during the first two weeks in April.

The filmfollows Lyra as she stumbles into fantasticalparallel universes on travels to save her best friend. Filmmakers said they arelooking for "a talented young actress who embodies Lyra'sloyalty, bravery and mischievous nature."

Applicants don't have to have previousacting experience, must be UK residents between 9-13 years old, andaccompanied by a parent or guardian. Girls should come without costumes ormakeup, dress warmly, and be prepared to wait.

The casting calls will have open queuesfrom 10 am-2pmand will end at 5 pm. The exact locations are Cambridge's Corn Exchange (April 4), Kendal'sCastle Green Hotel (April 6), Oxford's Examination Schools (April 11), and Exeter's Great Hall at the University of Exeter (April 13.)