New York International Toy Fair To Spotlight Action Figures, Plush, Playsets and More Based On Feature Film Starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Sam Elliot

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES (February 12, 2007) - It is one of the year's most eagerly anticipated feature film releases, and master toy partner Corgi International has partnered with Scholastic Media and New Line Cinema to develop a distinctive toy program in support of The Golden Compass. Corgi International, which is comprised of the subsidiaries of Corgi Classics and Cards, Inc. in the United Kingdom, as well as Master Replicas in the United States, has a remarkable history of creating toys for some of the most legendary film franchises of all time, including the Harry Potter films, as well as Star Wars, Spider-Man, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Batman and many other properties. The Golden Compass toy program will include a full range of action figures, playsets, electronic toys, die-cast vehicles and plush. The full lines will be on display at this year's International Toy Fair in New York.

"The Corgi team has done an exceptional job of translating the action, fantasy and fantastical technology of The Golden Compass to a broad ranged toy line," said David Imhoff, New Line's Senior Executive Vice President of Worldwide Licensing and Merchandising

The toy and collectible product line will include an extensive range of skus including:

• Action Figures: Highly detailed featuring authentic likeness for key characters (including Lyra, Lord Asriel, Mrs. Coulter, Serafina, etc.) individually packaged.
• Deluxe Action Figures: Each blister carded set contains 1 or 2 different highly detailed action figures, plus child scaled "prop" accessories
• Battling Bears: Poseable, articulated and spring-loaded for action with removable armor for Iorek and Ragnar.
• Vehicle Playset: includes exclusive action figure, inflating balloons (trigger activated) packaged in a display box.
• Svalbard Playset Environment: Electronic role-play featuring Ragnar's throne, dueling arena, ice slide & aurora borealis environments, and exclusive soldier bear.
• Digi-daemon: virtual digital daemon in Alethiometer shape.

In addition to its line of action figures, Corgi will also be releasing other exciting offerings, including play sets with key characters and scenes from the film, plush dolls based on the film's mythical and fantastical armoured bears, and a series of electronic toys. Corgi's The Golden Compass toy lines are designed to embody the strong themes of the story, and these innovative toys will focus on playability, fantasy, role-play and collectibility, making these toys perfect for everyone, from young children to older fans, who love to lose themselves in the fantasy of film.

"The Golden Compass is a body of work that is so rich with characters and fantastic settings that it makes for a great creative toy program," added Leslye Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Consumer Products, Scholastic Media. "We have partnered with exceptional manufacturers who are able to translate this visionary tale into amazing products that we're confident will appeal to fans."

The Golden Compass, due out in theatres worldwide on December 7, 2007, has already been heralded by Time Magazine and Entertainment Weekly as one of the next big movie events. The movie is based on the first book of Philip Pullman's best-selling, award-winning trilogy, His Dark Materials - a series of books that have sold more than 14 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. The film is set in an alternative world where people's souls manifest themselves as animals, and where armoured polar bears fight over a throne and beautiful but deadly witches must choose sides in a coming war. At the center of the story is Lyra, a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers - and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well.

Written and Directed by Chris Weitz (About a Boy and Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte, President, Scholastic Media, and Bill Carraro (Frequency), The Golden Compass stars an ensemble cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, and Ian McShane. The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz (About A Boy, Antz) and produced by Deborah Forte, President, Scholastic Media, and Bill Carraro (Frequency). It is executive produced by Andrew Miano and Paul Weitz (In Good Company) and features an all-star production team that includes Oscar-winning production designer Dennis Gassner (Road To Perdition, The Truman Show), Oscar-nominated costume designer Ruth Myers (L.A. Confidential), and visual effects supervisor Mike Fink (X2, Constantine) among others.

About Corgi International:

Corgi International develops and markets a wide variety of both licensed and non-licensed toy and collectable products - from die cast vehicles and action figures, to statues and authentic prop replicas. Licenses encompass many of the highest grossing film franchises of all time including Batman, James Bond, Disney Classics, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, Star Wars and Spiderman.

With prices ranging from 99p to £1,500 ($2 to $3,000), it offers something for everyone whether they're children forming early collections of toys, casual fans or die-hard enthusiasts.

Following a merger and acquisition in December 2006 the company now comprises of Corgi Classics and Cards Inc in the UK and Master Replias in the US. Corgi International is headquartered in Hong Kong.

Corgi Classics (www.corgi.co.uk)
Corgi Classics, based in Leicester, England, specialises in making the great small! Founded in 1956 it is one of the world's best known toy and collectables brands.

Well known for its highly-detailed model cars, buses, trucks and aircraft, Corgi also has an exciting range of current toys for today's children. These include the award winning GoGo Rollers, designed to be baby's first set of wheels, racing cars from the Streakerz and Twisterz ranges and even MP3 accessories.

It might also be worth checking the attic for old Corgi models. A 1965 Monte Carlo Rally Mini Cooper S could be worth £300 to £400, The Man from U.N.C.L.E 'Thrushbuster' Oldsmobile from 1966 might fetch £250 to £300 or if you have the right Noddy car, produced in 1969, it could go for an amazing £700 at auction

Cards Inc (www.CardsInc.com)
Cards Inc, based in Watford, England, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of pop culture collectables, gifts and toys. Its license portfolio currently includes the Harry Potter Master Toy License for Europe, the Star Wars Master Gift License for Europe, the upcoming Star Wars 30th Anniversary Celebration in London and the Pirates of the Caribbean Master Gift License for Europe.

Master Replicas (www.MasterReplicas.com)
Master Replicas, headquartered in Walnut Creek, USA, is an industry leader in movie prop replicas and high end collectibles, with licenses including Star Wars, Disney Classics, Pirates of the Caribbean and Marvel. Master Replicas produces only officially licensed products with extreme attention to product authenticity, product quality, and customer service.