View source for Stardust (2007 film)

{{short description|Romantic fantasy film by Matthew Vaughn}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Stardust
| image          = Stardust promo poster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Matthew Vaughn]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]]
* [[Michael Dreyer]]
* [[Neil Gaiman]]
* Matthew Vaughn
}}
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jane Goldman]]
* Matthew Vaughn
}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Stardust (Gaiman novel)|Stardust]]''|[[Neil Gaiman]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Claire Danes]]
* [[Charlie Cox]]
* [[Sienna Miller]]
* [[Ricky Gervais]]
* [[Jason Flemyng]]
* [[Rupert Everett]]
* [[Peter O'Toole]]
* [[Michelle Pfeiffer]]
* [[Robert De Niro]]
}}<!--per poster billing-->
| music          = [[Ilan Eshkeri]]
| cinematography = [[Ben Davis (cinematographer)|Ben Davis]]
| editing        = [[Jon Harris (director)|Jon Harris]]
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Marv Films]]
* [[Ingenious Film Partners]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released       = {{Film date|df=y|2007|07|29|Paramount Studio Theatre|2007|08|10|United States|2007|10|19|United Kingdom}}
| runtime        = 128 minutes<!-- Theatrical runtime: 127:31 --><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/stardust-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtmtaymtq1oq | title= ''Stardust'' (PG) | work= [[British Board of Film Classification]] | date= 25 July 2007 | access-date= 3 March 2021 | archive-date= 18 January 2022 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220118173220/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/stardust-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtmtaymtq1oq | url-status= live }}</ref>
| country        = {{Plainlist|
* United States
* United Kingdom
}}
| language       = English
| budget         = $70–88.5 million<ref name="mojo">{{cite news | url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=stardust.htm | title= Stardust (2007) | work= [[Box Office Mojo]] | quote= Production Budget: $70 million | date= 20 August 2007 | access-date= 2017-02-14 | archive-date= 8 January 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170108124848/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=stardust.htm | url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="ProductionBudget">{{cite news | date= 2006-01-26 | first= Archie | last= Thomas | url= https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/london-shoots-up-18-while-u-k-prod-n-falls-1117936890/ | title= London shoots up 18% while UK prod'n falls | work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | quote= Matthew Vaughn's $88.5 million fantasy | access-date= 2012-10-31 | archive-date= 14 January 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160114033148/http://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/london-shoots-up-18-while-u-k-prod-n-falls-1117936890/ | url-status= live }}</ref>
| gross          = $137 million<ref name="numbers">{{cite web |title= Stardust (2007) - Financial Information |url= https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Stardust |website= The Numbers |access-date= 22 July 2019 |archive-date= 12 September 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190912234002/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Stardust |url-status= live }}</ref>
}}
'''''Stardust''''' is a 2007 [[Romance film|romantic]] [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[adventure film]] directed by [[Matthew Vaughn]] and co-written by Vaughn and [[Jane Goldman]]. Based on [[Neil Gaiman]]'s [[Stardust (Gaiman novel)|1999 novel of the same name]], it features an [[ensemble cast]] led by [[Claire Danes]], [[Charlie Cox]], [[Sienna Miller]], [[Ricky Gervais]], [[Jason Flemyng]], [[Rupert Everett]], [[Peter O'Toole]], [[Michelle Pfeiffer]], and [[Robert De Niro]], with narration by [[Ian McKellen]].

The film follows Tristan, a young man from the fictional town of Wall in [[England]]. Wall is a town on the border of the magical fantasy kingdom of Stormhold. Tristan enters the magical world to collect a fallen star to give to his beloved Victoria, in return for her hand in marriage. To his surprise, he collects the star, a woman named Yvaine. [[Witches]] and the Princes of Stormhold are also hunting for Yvaine. Meanwhile, Tristan tries to get her back to Wall with him before Victoria's birthday, the deadline for her offer.

The film was released to positive reviews and grossed $137 million on a $70–88.5 million budget.<ref name="numbers" /> In 2008 it won the [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form]].<ref name="hugo" /> It was released on [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]] and [[HD DVD]] on 18 December 2007.

==Plot==
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The English village of Wall lies near a stone wall that borders the magical kingdom of Stormhold. A guard prevents anyone from crossing. Dunstan Thorne tricks him and crosses over the wall to a marketplace. He meets Una, an enslaved princess who offers him a glass [[snowdrop]] in exchange for a kiss. They spend the night together. Nine months later, the guard delivers a baby named Tristan to Dunstan.

Eighteen years later, the dying King of Stormhold throws a ruby into the sky: his successor will be the first of his sons to recover it. The gem hits a star, and both fall out of the sky, landing in Stormhold. The princes Primus and Septimus independently search for the stone.

In Wall, Tristan and Victoria see the falling star. He vows to retrieve it, in return for her hand in marriage. Despite his mother being from beyond the wall, he cannot get past the guard. He receives a Babylon candle that she left for him, which can take the user to any desired location. Tristan lights it and is transported to the fallen star, personified as a woman named Yvaine. He uses a magic chain to claim her and take her to Victoria.

Three ancient [[Witchcraft|witch]] sisters resolve to eat the fallen star's heart to recover their youth and replenish their powers. Their leader, Lamia, eats the remnants of an earlier star's heart and sets off to find Yvaine. She conjures up a wayside inn as a trap.

Yvaine becomes tired, so Tristan chains her to a tree and promises to bring food. In his absence, a [[unicorn]] releases her, but unwittingly takes her to Lamia's inn. Tristan discovers Yvaine gone, but the stars whisper that she is in danger, telling him to get on a passing coach, which happens to be Primus's. They stop at the inn, interrupting Lamia's attempt to kill Yvaine. Lamia kills Primus, while Tristan and Yvaine use the Babylon candle to escape into the clouds, where they are captured by [[Air pirate|pirates]] in a flying ship. The leader, Captain Shakespeare, tells his crew that Tristan is his nephew and Yvaine is a friend. He gives them new clothes and teaches Tristan how to [[fencing|fence]] and Yvaine how to dance.

Septimus, being the last surviving son, only needs to find the stone to claim the throne. He learns Yvaine has it and realizes that her heart grants [[immortality]].

After leaving Captain Shakespeare, Tristan and Yvaine confess their love for one another and spend the night together at an inn. The next morning, Tristan leaves Yvaine sleeping and goes with a lock of her hair, to tell Victoria he has fallen in love with Yvaine. When the lock turns to Stardust, he realizes Yvaine will die if she crosses the wall, and rushes back to save her.

Yvaine finds Tristan gone, and–thinking he has abandoned her for Victoria–despondently walks towards the wall. Una notices Yvaine walking to her doom and takes the reins of Ditchwater Sal's [[Vardo (Romani wagon)|caravan]] to stop her. Lamia kills Sal, and captures Una and Yvaine, taking them to the witches' manor. Septimus and Tristan pursue Lamia, agreeing to work together for the time being. Barging into the castle, Septimus recognizes Una as his long-lost sister, and Una tells Tristan that she is his mother.

Septimus and Tristan kill two of the witches, but Lamia uses a [[voodoo doll]] to kill Septimus. Lamia is about to finish Tristan off when she appears to break down over the loss of her sisters. Lamia frees Yvaine, but her feigned defeat is a ruse, and she tries to kill them both. As Tristan and Yvaine embrace, their love allows her to shine once again, killing Lamia.

Tristan retrieves Yvaine's gem, and Una reveals that, as her son, Tristan is the last male heir of Stormhold. He becomes king with Yvaine as his queen, and Dunstan and Una are reunited. After eighty years of rule, they use a Babylon candle to ascend to the sky, where they live together as stars.
<!-- Please review [[WP:FILMPLOT]] before adding material; total word count should not exceed 700. -->

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Claire Danes]] as Yvaine, the fallen star
* [[Charlie Cox]] as Tristan Thorn
* [[Michelle Pfeiffer]] as Lamia
* [[Mark Strong]] as Prince Septimus
* [[Robert De Niro]] as Captain Shakespeare of the ''Caspartine''
* [[Jason Flemyng]] as Prince Primus
* [[Rupert Everett]] as Prince Secundus
* [[Ricky Gervais]] as Ferdiland "Ferdy" the [[Fence (criminal)|Fence]]
* [[Sienna Miller]] as Victoria Forester
* [[Peter O'Toole]] as the dying King of Stormhold
* [[Ian McKellen]] as the Narrator
* [[Kate Magowan]] as Princess Una
* [[Joanna Scanlan]] as Mormo, Lamia's sister
* [[Sarah Alexander]] as Empusa,  Lamia's other sister
* [[Mark Heap]] as Prince Tertius
* [[Struan Rodger]] as the Bishop
* [[Julian Rhind-Tutt]] as the ghost of Prince Quartus
* [[Adam Buxton]] as the ghost of Prince Quintus
* [[David Walliams]] as the ghost of Prince Sextus
* [[Nathaniel Parker]] as Dunstan Thorn
* [[Ben Barnes (actor)|Ben Barnes]] as a young Dunstan Thorn
* [[Henry Cavill]] as Humphrey, Victoria's boyfriend
* [[David Kelly (actor)|David Kelly]] as the Wall Guard
* [[Melanie Hill]] as Ditchwater Sal
* [[Mark Williams (actor)|Mark Williams]] as Billy, a goat converted into human form
* Jake Curran as Bernard
* [[Olivia Grant (actress born 1983)|Olivia Grant]] as Bernard's female form
* [[George Innes]] as the Soothsayer
* [[Dexter Fletcher]] as the Skinny Pirate
* [[Eliot Sumner|Coco Sumner]] as Ingrid, Yvaine's sister<ref>{{cite news |date=7 October 2010 |author=Jude Rogers |title=Coco Sumner: 'I'd die for music' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/07/coco-sumner-sting-the-constant |work=[[The Guardian]] |quote=had a bit part in Stardust, in which she was killed by Michelle Pfeiffer. |access-date=17 October 2021 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017205652/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/oct/07/coco-sumner-sting-the-constant |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Mark Burns (actor)|Mark Burns]] as the New Bishop
}}

==Production==
===Development===
The [[Fantasy literature|illustrated fantasy story]] ''[[Stardust (Gaiman novel)|Stardust]]'' was created by [[Neil Gaiman]], with art by [[Charles Vess]]. It was first published by [[DC Comics]] in 1997 as a prestige format four-issue comic mini-series. Encouraged by publisher Avon, Gaiman decided to adapt ''Stardust'', and in 1999, it was republished as a conventional novel in hardback without illustrations. Gaiman has compared the story to a fantasy version of the 1934 romantic comedy film ''[[It Happened One Night]]''.<ref name="den-10" /><ref name="aintitcool" />

In 1998, ''Stardust'' was [[Option (filmmaking)|optioned]] for a [[film adaptation]] by [[Bob Weinstein]] at [[Miramax]]. Gaiman wrote a treatment, and then [[Ehren Kruger]] wrote a treatment.<ref name="aintitcool">{{cite web |date= June 14, 2007|author= Quint |title= Quint has a long chat with Neil Gaiman about Stardust, Beowulf, Coraline, Sandman, Death and... |url= http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/33002 |website= [[Aint It Cool News]] |access-date= 27 July 2019 |archive-date= 27 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190727041624/http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/33002 |url-status= live }}</ref> Gaiman described the process as "an unsatisfactory development period", and he recovered the rights after they expired. For years, Gaiman refused offers to develop the film. Having seen the disappointing results of the hands-off approach taken by [[Alan Moore]], Gaiman preferred to retain control and influence the development of the film.<ref name="Tarnoff">{{cite news |author=Brooke Tarnoff |url= http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=17568&sectionId=2 |title=Neil Gaiman, Stardust Interview |publisher=UGO: Underground Online |access-date=2007-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071029142616/http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=17568 |archive-date=29 October 2007 }}</ref><ref name="latimes-adams">{{cite news | date= 5 August 2007 | first= Sam | last= Adams | work= [[Los Angeles Times]] | title= All of a sudden, his fantasies are turning to reality | url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-05-ca-stardust5-story.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110811002857/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/05/entertainment/ca-stardust5 |archive-date= 2011-08-11 |url-status= live }}</ref>

Eventually, discussions about a film version of ''Stardust'' took place between Gaiman, director [[Terry Gilliam]], and producer [[Matthew Vaughn]]. Gilliam dropped out following his involvement with ''[[The Brothers Grimm (film)|The Brothers Grimm]]'' and not wanting to do another fairy tale. Vaughn left to produce ''[[Layer Cake (film)|Layer Cake]]'' but then became the director for the first time for that project. After Vaughn withdrew from helming the film ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]'', talks resumed, and in January 2005, Vaughn acquired the option to develop ''Stardust''.<ref>{{cite news | date=16 January 2005 | author=Adam Dawtrey | url=https://variety.com/2005/film/columns/vaughn-pushes-ahead-with-u-n-c-l-e-feature-1117916360/ | title=Vaughn pushes ahead with 'U.N.C.L.E.' feature | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | access-date=2019-07-23 | archive-date=24 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724064555/https://variety.com/2005/film/columns/vaughn-pushes-ahead-with-u-n-c-l-e-feature-1117916360/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2005, the director entered final negotiations with [[Paramount Pictures]] to write, direct, and produce ''Stardust'' with a budget estimated at $70–88.5 million.<ref name="mtv">{{cite news | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1566862/stardust-author-neil-gaiman-tells-why-he-turns-down-most-adaptations-but-not-this-one/ | title='Stardust' Author Neil Gaiman Tells Why He Turns Down Most Adaptations – But Not This One | publisher=MTV | date=10 August 2007 | author=Jennifer Vineyard<!-- no byline, but the interviewer is named in article text --> | access-date=2008-02-14 | archive-date=15 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215201028/http://www.mtv.com/news/1566862/stardust-author-neil-gaiman-tells-why-he-turns-down-most-adaptations-but-not-this-one/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> Vaughn said half the financing for the film was British.<ref name="metrofrance" /><ref>{{cite web |date=9 August 2007 |last1=Finke |first1=Nikki |title=What Do Peter Morton & Paramount Have In Common? A Movie That's Gonna Bomb |url=https://deadline.com/2007/08/peter-morton-paramount-have-a-movie-thats-gonna-bomb-3050/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |quote=The other 50% was financed mostly by Peter Morton with Vaughn’s UK-based MARV Films and Ingenious Film Partners, one of the biggest UK players in movie financing. |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024173043/https://deadline.com/2007/08/peter-morton-paramount-have-a-movie-thats-gonna-bomb-3050/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Adaptation===
The adapted screenplay was written by Vaughn and screenwriter [[Jane Goldman]], who had been recommended by Gaiman.<ref name="latimes-adams" /><ref name="aintitcool" /> When asked how the book inspired his vision for the film, Vaughn said that he wanted "to do ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|Princess Bride]]'' with a ''[[Midnight Run]]'' overtone."<ref name="superherohype">{{cite web |date= 2 August 2007 |last= Douglas |first= Edward |title=Exclusive: Stardust Director Matthew Vaughn |publisher=Superherohype.com |url= https://www.superherohype.com/features/94533-exclusive-stardust-director-matthew-vaughn |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160114033149/https://www.superherohype.com/features/94533-exclusive-stardust-director-matthew-vaughn |archive-date= 2016-01-14 |url-status= dead |access-date= 2019-07-24 }}</ref> One of the difficulties with adapting the novel was its earnest and dark nature: an adult fairy tale in which sex and violence are presented unflinchingly. With Gaiman's blessing given to the screenwriters, the movie version has a greater element of whimsy and humor. Gaiman did not want people to go to the theatre to see a film that attempted but failed, to be completely loyal to the book.<ref name="Breznican">{{cite news | date= 30 July 2007 | author= Anthony Breznican | title= Storyteller Gaiman wishes upon a star |access-date= 2007-09-27 | work= [[USA Today]] | url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-07-30-neil-gaiman_N.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080914052952/https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-07-30-neil-gaiman_N.htm |archive-date= 2008-09-14 |url-status= live }}</ref> After creating the [[audiobook]] version of the novel, Gaiman realized that there were 10½&nbsp; hours of material in the book. This led him to acknowledge that the film would have to compress the novel, leaving out portions of the work. Budgetary concerns also factored into the adaptation, even with the level of 2006 technology.<ref name="Tarnoff" /> 
Gaiman understood the need to move the plot along faster: "In the book, Tristan crosses the wall, meets a strange creature, goes through the wood of vampire trees and, as his reward, gets the Babylon candle. Now we skip that. He gets the candle and just lights it and gets to Yvaine earlier. Otherwise, that would take an hour." Also, the newly created character of Ferdy the Fence was used to push people together faster.<ref>{{cite web |date=2007-06-18 |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |title=Neil Gaiman's 'Stardust' Finally Comes To Big Screen, Thanks To 'Layer Cake' Director |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1562691/neil-gaimans-stardust-finally-comes-to-big-screen-thanks-to-layer-cake-director/ |website=[[MTV News]] |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123010234/http://www.mtv.com/news/1562691/neil-gaimans-stardust-finally-comes-to-big-screen-thanks-to-layer-cake-director/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Vaughn acknowledges the changes from the book were substantial. The character of Captain Shakespeare was expanded extensively from the novel, where Captain Alberic is only briefly mentioned, and the last half hour of the film is almost entirely different from the book.<ref name="metrofrance">{{Cite web |url=http://www.metrofrance.com/fr/article/2007/10/23/16/5209-38/index.xml |title=Interview Matthew Vaughn |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101013633/http://www.metrofrance.com/fr/article/2007/10/23/16/5209-38/index.xml |archive-date=November 1, 2007 |url-status=dead |quote=The last half hour isn’t really in the book at all. And Captain Shakespeare is not in the book. }}</ref>

Vaughn and Goldman decided that the witches needed names, as in the book they were collectively the [[Lilim]]. They chose names from [[Classical antiquity|classical]] sources that coincidentally included names found in Gaiman's ''[[The Books of Magic]]'' (Empusa) and ''[[Neverwhere]]'' (Lamia).<ref>{{cite web | first = Neil | last = Gaiman |author-link=Neil Gaiman | title = Neil Gaiman's Journal: April 2006 | url= http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/archive/2006_04_01_archive.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061115080729/http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/archive/2006_04_01_archive.html | archive-date = 15 November 2006 }}</ref>

On the film's differences from the novel, Gaiman commented, "I sort of feel like my grounding in comics was actually very useful because, in my head, that's just the [[Earth-Two]] version of ''Stardust''. It's a parallel Earth version of ''Stardust'', which has Robert De Niro and stuff. And I get people who come to the book from having loved the movie who are really disappointed at some of the stuff that isn't there that Matthew brought".<ref>{{Cite podcast |title= Six Seasons Planned For HBO's ''American Gods'' Adaptation |time= 26:00 |last= O'Hara |first= Helen |work= [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date= 28 June 2013 |url= https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/six-seasons-planned-hbo-american-gods-adaptation/ |access-date= 30 June 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast | url = https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/neil-gaiman-special/id507987292?i=1000401604671 | via = podcasts.apple.com | title = Neil Gaiman Special - The Empire Film Podcast |time= 26:00 | date = 24 June 2013 | accessdate = 7 July 2024 }}</ref> Responding to a fan's statement about preferring the film's climax compared to the book, Gaiman clarified that he in fact had suggested the different ending that the film ended up using and liked it better for the film but liked the book ending better for the book.<ref>{{cite news |title= The official Neil Gaiman Tumblr |url= https://neil-gaiman.tumblr.com/post/185953842206/i-feel-the-need-to-apologize-i-recently-came-to-a |last= Gaiman |first= Neil |work= Tumblr.com |date= June 30, 2019 |quote= I like the end of the film much better for a film. It was why I suggested it. On the other hand, I like the end of the book much better for the book. |access-date= 30 June 2019 |archive-date= 1 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190701203952/https://neil-gaiman.tumblr.com/post/185953842206/i-feel-the-need-to-apologize-i-recently-came-to-a |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Casting===
[[File:Claire Danes at Much Music by Robin Wong 9.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Claire Danes visits [[MuchOnDemand]] to promote Stardust|Claire Danes promoting ''Stardust'']]

In March 2006, the studio cast [[Robert De Niro]], [[Michelle Pfeiffer]], [[Claire Danes]], [[Charlie Cox]], and [[Sienna Miller]]. Production began in the United Kingdom and Iceland in April 2006, with the majority of filming taking place in the UK.<ref>{{cite news | date= 6 March 2006 | author= Michael Fleming | url= https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/a-sprinkling-of-stardust-1117939318/ | title= A sprinkling of 'Stardust' | work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | access-date= 2007-04-29 | archive-date= 13 August 2023 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230813102959/https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/a-sprinkling-of-stardust-1117939318/ | url-status= live }}</ref> Vaughn picked Danes, Cox, and Pfeiffer for their roles. He intended Captain Shakespeare to be played by either De Niro or [[Jack Nicholson]]. [[Stephen Fry]] was pitched as a possible Shakespeare, but Vaughn eventually picked De Niro.<ref name="times-wise">{{cite news | date= 29 September 2007 | author= Damon Wise | title= Stardust is a fairytale-like no other| work= [[The Times]] | location= London |url= http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2538898.ece |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080718211444/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2538898.ece | archive-date= 2008-07-18 | url-status = dead |access-date= 2019-07-24 }}</ref>

Vaughn insisted on an unknown actor for the part of Tristan.<ref name="superherohype" /><ref name="times-wise" /><ref name="Olsen" /> Cox was tentatively cast as Tristan, but to ensure the leads had chemistry on screen Vaughn would not confirm the casting until both leads were cast. Vaughn had Cox audition alongside the prospective leading actresses until the female lead was cast.<ref name="Olsen">{{cite news | date = 5 August 2007 | author = Mark Olsen | title = 'Stardust' gave him the space to grow. A fanciful tale with a big-name cast offered a test for Charlie Cox. | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-aug-05-ca-charlie5-story.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222203717/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/05/entertainment/ca-charlie5 | archive-date = 2014-02-22 |url-access= }}</ref> Cox had worked alongside Miller before, and played a small supporting as her brother in the 2005 film ''[[Casanova (2005 film)|Casanova]]''.<ref name="Olsen" />

[[Sarah Michelle Gellar]] was offered the role of Yvaine but turned it down, not wanting to be apart from husband [[Freddie Prinze Jr.]] while he was filming in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sarah Michelle Gellar Turned Down 'Stardust' Role For Her Husband | url= http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/08/02/sarah_michelle_gellar_turned_down_stardu/ | url-status= dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071113224823/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/08/02/sarah_michelle_gellar_turned_down_stardu/ | archive-date = 2007-11-13 | access-date= 24 July 2008 }}</ref>

The role of Quintus was originally given to comedian [[Noel Fielding]], but due to health issues he had to drop out and was replaced by another comedian [[Adam Buxton]].<ref>{{cite web |date= 2006-09-09 |first= Neil |last= Gaiman |title= Stardust News... |work= Neil Gaiman's Journal |url= http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2006/09/stardust-news.html |access-date= 16 February 2017 |archive-date= 7 August 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160807005233/http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2006/09/stardust-news.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Filming===
<!-- For locations, see end credits -->
[[File:Quiraing, Isle of Skye.jpg|thumb|right|Locations used in Scotland included the area surrounding the [[Quiraing]], on the [[Isle of Skye]].]]
The production started filming in mid-April 2006, with [[principal photography]] taking place at [[Pinewood Studios]] in London. Location filming started in [[Wester Ross]], in the [[Scottish Highlands]]<ref>{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6658877.stm | title= Highland films screened at Cannes | publisher= BBC.co.uk | date= 12 May 2006 | access-date= 2007-09-03 | archive-date= 6 January 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090106221304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6658877.stm | url-status= live }}</ref> followed immediately by filming on the [[Skye|Isle of Skye]]. The scene where Prince Septimus consults the soothsayer was shot in [[Iceland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Filming Locations for Stardust (2007) |url=http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/s/Stardust-2007.php |url-status= live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180921013449/http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/s/Stardust-2007.php | archive-date = 2018-09-21 |website= The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations }}</ref> The filmmakers had wanted to use more locations in Iceland but were unable to get the horses they needed.<ref>{{cite AV media |title= Good Omens: The Making of Stardust |url= |minutes= 13 }}</ref><ref name="aintitcool" />

Several weeks of location filming also took place in the woods and the Golden Valley near [[Little Gaddesden]], [[Hertfordshire]], in June and July.<ref name="onlocationvacations">{{cite news | url= http://www.onlocationvacations.com/category/stardust/ | title= OLV INTERNATIONAL Road Trip: The Enchanting Locations of Stardust | access-date=2007-09-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011213522/http://onlocationvacations.com/category/stardust/  |archive-date = 11 October 2007 }}</ref> In mid-2006, there was some filming at [[Stowe School]] in [[Buckinghamshire]] and in the village of [[Castle Combe]], [[Wiltshire]]. Some of the scenes requiring wide open spaces for riding and coach scenes were filmed at [[Bicester Airfield]] in [[Oxfordshire]].

Another film location was on [[Elm Hill, Norwich|Elm Hill]] in [[Norwich]]. The area, with a mixture of Tudor and medieval buildings dating as far back as the 11th&nbsp; century, was transformed into the streets of Stormhold. The Briton's Arms tea house became the Slaughtered Prince public house.<ref>{{cite web |date= 24 September 2014 |author= Martin Barber |title= Stardust: Hollywood magic falls over Norwich |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2007/10/18/film_stardust_preview_feature.shtml |publisher= BBC |access-date= 22 October 2012 |archive-date= 14 January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160114033146/http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2007/10/18/film_stardust_preview_feature.shtml |url-status= live }}</ref> The owners were so enthralled with the new look, including a spectacular mural and new thatching, that they appealed to the local council and [[English Heritage]] to keep it, but their request was refused.
Filming also took place in Wales, at the [[Brecon Beacons National Park]].<ref>{{cite web |date=29 Jan 2007 |author= Sally Williams |title=Beacons to shine in film Stardust - Wales News - News - WalesOnline |url= http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=beacons-to-shine-in-film-stardust&method=full&objectid=18544740&siteid=50082-name_page.html |website= WalesOnline.co.uk |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120523184132/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/tm_headline=beacons-to-shine-in-film-stardust&method=full&objectid=18544740&siteid=50082-name_page.html |archive-date= 23 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/latest/2006/10/31/powys-backdrop-for-de-niro/ |title=Powys backdrop for De Niro |newspaper=[[Shropshire Star]] |date=31 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525205739/http://www.shropshirestar.com/latest/2006/10/31/powys-backdrop-for-de-niro/ |archive-date=25 May 2011 |quote=Its dramatic landscape and sweeping views are perfect for filming. It was a pleasure to shoot there. }}</ref>

The design of the witches' lair was inspired by the [[Hall of Mirrors]] in the [[Palace of Versailles]] in France, but with black instead of white and silver instead of gold.<ref name="superherohype" />

Filming was finished by 13 July 2006.<ref name="onlocationvacations" />

=== Visual effects ===
The film required 830 [[visual effects]] (VFX) shots which were supervised by Peter Chiang and produced by Tim Field. [[Double Negative (VFX)|Double Negative]] supervised 350 shots, and other work was shared among six other companies including LipSync Post, Cinesite, The Senate, Baseblack, Machine, and Rushes. Mattes & Miniatures provided miniatures. The pirate skyship set was shot against a 360-degree [[greenscreen]] and required fully CG backgrounds and digital extending the size and the bow of the ship. Some distance shots of the ship were entirely CG. Yvaine required a star glow effect for more than eighty shots.<ref name="vfxworld" /><ref name="lipsyncvfx">{{cite web |date= August 13, 2007 |author= <!-- Digital Arts Staff --> |title= LipSync gives Stardust a healthy glow - News |url= https://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/creative-lifestyle/lipsync-gives-stardust-healthy-glow/ |website= Digital Arts |publisher= [[International Data Group|IDG]] |access-date= 27 July 2019 |archive-date= 27 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190727021802/https://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/creative-lifestyle/lipsync-gives-stardust-healthy-glow/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Two of the witches required a signature magical effect, Lamia had a green fire effect created using a combination of particle animation and joint-driven soft body ribbons, and Sal had a black smoke effect, created by turning animated geometry into a target-driven fluid simulation. The age transformation of Lamia was achieved using a composite of multiple motion control plates, including a pass in the full prosthetic makeup, the transformed youthful Lamia, and a pass where the hair was pulled through a dummy head, played in reverse to give the appearance of hair growing, composited and blended with a procedural glow effect. Twenty feet of The Wall was built on location as a practical effect and extended into the distance using digital painting. VFX was completed by February 2007.<ref name="vfxworld">{{cite web |date=August 10, 2007 |author= Alain Bielik |title= Stardust: VFX Wizards Conjure Up Fallen Stars, Flying Ships & More |website=VFXworld.com |url= http://mag.awn.com/article_view.php?id=3373&site=vfxw&page=all |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070826100622/http://mag.awn.com/article_view.php?id=3373&site=vfxw&page=all |archive-date=2007-08-26 }}</ref>

=== Music ===
The film score was composed by [[Ilan Eshkeri]], who previously worked with Vaughn on ''[[Layer Cake (film)|Layer Cake]]''.{{Sfn|Sapiro|2013|page=12}} Eshkeri was given the script before production began and wrote the first pieces of music inspired by the illustrations of [[Charles Vess]] from the graphic novel. Eshkeri was also on set during some of the filming.<ref name="cnmsarchive">{{cite web |date=2011 |author=John Mansell |title=Ilan Eshkeri Interview |url=https://cnmsarchive.wordpress.com/2013/12/26/ilan-eshkeri/ |website=The Soundtrack Archives |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307082047/https://cnmsarchive.wordpress.com/2013/12/26/ilan-eshkeri/ |archive-date=2021-03-07 |url-status=live }}</ref> The score was released by [[Decca Records]] on 11 September 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtrack.net/album/stardust/|title=Stardust Soundtrack (2007)|website=www.soundtrack.net|access-date=15 February 2017|archive-date=15 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215213652/http://www.soundtrack.net/album/stardust/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Quinn">{{cite web |date=2007 |author=Michael Quinn |title=Neil Gaiman's feisty fantasy gets a suitably saucy soundtrack... |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/ng54/ |website=BBC |quote=directly quotes Bach, Dvorak and Offenbach |access-date=7 March 2021 |archive-date=16 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316143139/https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/ng54/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Eshkeri won the award for Best New Composer of 2007 from the International Film Music Critics Association,<ref>{{cite web | date = 20 February 2008 | title = 2007 Award Winners Announced By International Film Music Critics Association | publisher = [[SoundtrackNet]] | url = http://www.soundtrack.net/news/article/?id=1143 | access-date = 1 March 2021 | archive-date = 22 May 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130522043947/https://www.soundtrack.net/news/article/?id=1143 | url-status = live }}</ref> and the score was also nominated in the category Best Original Fantasy Score.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://filmmusiccritics.org/awards-archive/2007-ifmca-awards/ |title=2007 IFMCA Awards |author=[[International Film Music Critics Association|IFMCA]] |date=2008 |website=IFMCA |access-date=1 March 2021 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407212837/http://filmmusiccritics.org/awards-archive/2007-ifmca-awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

* After watching an early cut, British pop band [[Take That]] wrote and recorded a song for the film titled "[[Rule the World (Take That single)|Rule the World]]", featuring [[Gary Barlow]] on lead vocals. The song features in the end credits to the film and was released as a single on 22 October 2007 in the United Kingdom and peaked at number two on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="takethat">{{cite book |year=2012 |first=James |last= MacCarthy |title=Take That- Uncensored On the Record |publisher=Coda Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kVH7ZLEDFQQC&pg=PT44 |isbn=9781908538963 |via=Google Books |quote=a song for the motion picture Stardust titled "Rule the World", which reached number 2 in the UK charts and went on to be the 5th biggest selling single of 2007. }}</ref>{{Sfn|Sapiro|2013|page=44}}<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=w1jVBAAAQBAJ&dq=%22take+That%22+%22Rule+the+World%22+barlow+october+2007&pg=PT195 ''Gary Barlow'']</ref>
* [[Dimmu Borgir]]'s song "Eradication Instincts Defined" is featured in both the UK and US trailers.<ref name="officialtrailer">{{cite AV media |title= Stardust - Trailer |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfYBKDyF-Dk  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VfYBKDyF-Dk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=[[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] |via=[[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* Prelude 2 in C Minor from the first book of the "[[Well-Tempered Clavier]]" by [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] was adapted for use in the first part of the scene at Lamia's Inn.<ref name="Quinn" />
* [[Slavonic Dances]], Op. 46, No. 6 in D Major by [[Antonín Dvořák]] was adapted for use for the dancing scene aboard the flying ship.<ref name="Quinn" />
* "The Infernal Galop" from [[Jacques Offenbach]]'s "[[Orpheus in the Underworld]]", more commonly known as the "[[Can-can]]", plays during the fight between Captain Shakespeare's men and Septimus's men on board the sky vessel.<ref name="Quinn" />

==Release==
[[File:Michelle Pfeiffer 2007.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Michelle Pfeiffer at the Stardust premiere, by Jeremiah Christopher|Michelle Pfeiffer at the Los Angeles Premiere of ''Stardust'' at [[Paramount Studios]].<ref>{{cite web |date=30 July 2007 |title=Newcomer Charlie Leads British Turnout at La Premiere of 'Stardust' |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2007/07/30/stardust-premiere/ |website=[[Hello! (magazine)|Hello!]] |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028175032/https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2007/07/30/stardust-premiere/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Time For "Stardust" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/time-for-stardust/2/ |website=CBSnews.com |date=30 July 2007 |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170505/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/time-for-stardust/2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

=== Pre-release ===
''Stardust'' was well received by test audiences. Producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] was surprised when the film was well received across all demographics, despite the film not having been designed for everyone, expecting instead for parts of the audience to feel the film was not for them. In their feedback audiences agreed it was not a fairy tale, giving various descriptions of it, such as an adventure with magical elements.<ref>{{cite web | title = Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" Scoring High With Test Audiences | author = Fred Topel | website = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | date = 6 March 2007 | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1648390/neil-gaimans-quotstardustquot-scoring-high-with-test-audiences/ | url-status= dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604015815/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1648390/neil-gaimans-quotstardustquot-scoring-high-with-test-audiences/ | archive-date = 2011-06-04 }}</ref> A March release had been planned but when Paramount saw its commercial potential it was pushed back to a later date.<ref name="superherohype" />

===Box office===
''Stardust'' premiered at the Paramount Studio Theatre in [[Los Angeles]] on 29 July 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Premiere: 'Stardust' Movie Photos |url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/premiere-stardust/articleshow/2243549.cms |access-date=29 July 2022 |work=photogallery.indiatimes.com |date=30 July 2007 |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729165144/https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/premiere-stardust/articleshow/2243549.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was later released on 10 August 2007 in the United States. It opened in 2,540 theatres, earning US$9,169,779, an average of $3,610 per theatre, putting it in 4th place, with ''[[Rush Hour 3]]'' taking 1st.<ref>{{cite web |author=Brandon Gray |title='Rush Hour 3' Packs Less Punch |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2809725956/ |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=August 13, 2007 |quote=Stardust, crash-landed, conjuring $9.2 million at 2,540 venues. |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170203/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2809725956/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film also opened the same day in Russia and the rest of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]],<ref>{{cite web |date=August 15, 2007 |author=Conor Bresnan |title=Around the World Roundup: 'Simpsons' Edge Out 'Harry Potter' |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2792948740/ |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |quote=domestic dud Stardust showed some promise in Russia, grossing $3 million from 400 screens. |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028170219/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2792948740/ |url-status=live }}</ref> earning $8,118,263 as of 14 October 2007. In the UK and Ireland, the film was released on 19 October 2007, it came in second at the box office in its opening weekend and spent 8&nbsp;weeks in the box office top ten.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 24, 2007 |author1=C.S.Strowbridge |title=International Top Five - Audiences Still Haven't Had Their Fill of Ratatouille |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/news/177480830-International-Top-Five-Audiences-Still-Haven-t-Had-Their-Fill-of-Ratatouille |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=12 October 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029174839/https://www.the-numbers.com/news/177480830-International-Top-Five-Audiences-Still-Haven-t-Had-Their-Fill-of-Ratatouille |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.screenrush.co.uk/film/boxoffice_gen_cfilm=110644.html |title= Stardust UK box office |website= ScreenRush.co.uk |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080304194616/http://www.screenrush.co.uk/film/boxoffice_gen_cfilm%3D110644.html |archive-date= 2008-03-04 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 February 2017 }}</ref> ''Stardust'' was blocked from release in China due to additional restrictions on foreign films on top of the existing quota system limiting non-Chinese films.<ref name="china-ban">{{cite web |date= 6 December 2007 |last= Frater |first= Patrick |title= China sets 3 month ban on U.S. films |url= https://variety.com/2007/scene/asia/china-sets-3-month-ban-on-u-s-films-1117977089/ |website= Variety |access-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190725021838/https://variety.com/2007/scene/asia/china-sets-3-month-ban-on-u-s-films-1117977089/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

''Stardust'' earned a total of $137,022,245 worldwide.<ref name="numbers" /> Its biggest markets were the United States, where it made $38 million, and the UK, where it made $31 million (approximately {{GBP|19.5 million|long=no|link=yes}}).

==Reception==
===Critical reception===
''Stardust'' received mostly positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Michael |date=August 13, 2007 |title=Book News: Gaiman's Stardust a Box Office Black Hole |url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/book-news-gaimans-stardust-a-box-office-black-hole |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=[[Library Journal]] |quote=Despite near positive reviews across the board}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |date=November 8, 2017 |title=Michelle Pfeiffer's 10 Best Movies |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/rank-michelle-pfeiffers-10-best-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309190537/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/rank-michelle-pfeiffers-10-best-movies/ |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |quote=earning largely positive reviews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Daniel |date=July 10, 2022 |title=Film Talk: Looking Back – Cinematic sorcery with Stardust |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2022/07/10/film-talk-looking-back--cinematic-sorcery-with-stardust/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710114750/https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2022/07/10/film-talk-looking-back--cinematic-sorcery-with-stardust/ |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |work=[[Shropshire Star]] |quote=Released to generally positive reviews}}</ref> {{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|A faithful interpretation that captures the spirit of whimsy, action, and off-kilter humor of Neil Gaiman, ''Stardust'' juggles multiple genres and tones to create a fantastical experience.|ref=yes|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}} {{MC film|66|33|ref=yes|access-date=2024-06-09}} Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade "A−" on scale of A to F.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/U1RBUg== |title= Movie Title Search: STAR |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190809143716/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/U1RBUg== |archive-date= 2019-08-09 }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] called it a "fun" movie and gave it a rating of 2.5 out of 4. He criticized the pacing as cluttered and unfocused, and concluded "It's a film you enjoy in pieces, but the jigsaw never gets solved."<ref>{{cite news |date= 10 August 2007 |title= Stardust |author= Roger Ebert |author-link= Roger Ebert |work= [[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/stardust-2007 |access-date= 2019-07-24 |archive-date= 24 September 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200924151607/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/stardust-2007 |url-status= live }}</ref> ''[[The New Yorker]]''{{'}}s Bruce Diones called it "more surprising and effective than the usual kiddie-matinée madness."<ref>{{cite magazine |date= August 20, 2007 |author= Bruce Diones |title='Stardust review' | magazine = [[The New Yorker]] |url= https://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/stardust_vaughn |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080102184210/https://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/stardust_vaughn |archive-date= 2008-01-02 |url-status= dead }}</ref> John Anderson of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote: "Sprinkled with tongue-in-cheek humor, fairly adult jokes and some well-known faces acting very silly, this adventure story should have particular appeal to fans of ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'', but in any event will never be mistaken for a strictly-for-kids movie." Anderson praised Pfeiffer for her comedic timing and called De Niro's performance "as engrossing as a car crash". He says the romance is the least interesting part of the film, but the sweep of the story and the humor keep the film together.<ref name="variety-review">{{cite web |date= 1 August 2007 |last= Anderson |first= John |title= Stardust |url= https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/stardust-3-1200557517/ |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190725021838/https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/stardust-3-1200557517/ |url-status= live }}</ref> [[Stephen Holden]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote: "Michelle Pfeiffer is Lamia, as deliciously evil a witch as the movies have ever invented" and suggested she should be the center of the film. Holden said that Danes was miscast, and described De Niro's performance as "either a piece of inspired madcap fun or an excruciating embarrassment."<ref name="nytimes-holden">{{cite web |date= 10 August 2007 |last= Holden |first= Stephen |author-link= Stephen Holden |title= Movies - Stardust - Review |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/10/movies/10star.html |website= [[The New York Times]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111130003918/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/10/movies/10star.html |archive-date= 2011-11-30 }}</ref> [[Kurt Loder]] of [[MTV News]] was critical of De Niro's performance saying "This could be the most pointlessly grotesque performance of De Niro's career; it's flabbergastingly unfunny."<ref>{{cite web |date=August 10, 2007 |author=Kurt Loder |author-link=Kurt Loder |title='Stardust': Slack Magic, By Kurt Loder |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1566821/stardust-slack-magic-by-kurt-loder/ |website=MTV News |quote=This could be the most pointlessly grotesque performance of De Niro's career; it's flabbergastingly unfunny. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101230620/http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1566821/20070810/story.jhtml |archive-date=2008-01-01 }}</ref> Michael Dwyer of ''[[The Irish Times]]'' described the film as "diverting in its whimsical way, but burdened with nonsequiturs, and it ought to have been subjected to more rigorous pruning in the editing suite". Dwyer criticized the cameos of Gervais and De Niro as unsubtle, jarring, and self-indulgent, and said Danes was miscast. He praised Pfeiffer, saying she gave the film "the kiss of life".<ref name="dwyer">{{cite news |date= Oct 19, 2007 |last= Dwyer |first= Michael |author-link= Michael Dwyer |title= Stardust |newspaper= [[The Irish Times]] |url= https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stardust-1.974293 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190724153334/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stardust-1.974293 |archive-date= 2019-07-24 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Dan Jolin of ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' called it "Patchy but great fun, peppering plenty of black humour into a sweet if silly fairy-tale romance."<ref name="empire">{{cite web |date= 28 September 2007 |author= Dan Jolin |title= Stardust |url= https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/stardust-review/ |website= [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date= 24 July 2019 |archive-date= 24 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190724132651/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/stardust-review/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Glenn Kenny of ''[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]'' called it "an eye-poppingly elaborate fantasy that's shot through with action-movie adrenaline and attitude."<ref>{{cite web |date = 2007-09-08 |author= Glenn Kenny |title= Premiere - Stardust |url= http://www.premiere.com/moviereviews/4006/stardust.html |website=[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]] |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071014225832/http://www.premiere.com/moviereviews/4006/stardust.html |archive-date= 14 October 2007 }}</ref> ''[[Time Out London]]'' compared the film to ''[[Time Bandits]]'' or ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'' "but it lacks the former's originality and the latter's heart".<ref>{{cite web |date= 16 October 2007 |title= Stardust (2007), directed by Matthew Vaughn {{!}} Film review |url= https://www.timeout.com/london/film/stardust-2007 |website= [[Time Out London]] |access-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-date= 24 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190724221321/https://www.timeout.com/london/film/stardust-2007 |url-status= live }}</ref> Tim Robey of ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' wrote: "There's a shameless romantic streak here, quite welcome in a boy-targeted genre that usually insists battles are cool and love is for wimps."<ref name="telegraph-robey">{{cite web |date=18 October 2007 |last= Robey |first= Tim |title= Film reviews: Stardust, The Last Legion, The Dark is Rising, Nancy Drew, Daddy Day Camp and more... |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3668624/Film-reviews-Stardust-The-Last-Legion-The-Dark-is-Rising-Nancy-Drew-Daddy-Day-Camp-and-more....html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3668624/Film-reviews-Stardust-The-Last-Legion-The-Dark-is-Rising-Nancy-Drew-Daddy-Day-Camp-and-more....html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website= [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[Philip French]] of ''[[The Observer]]'' said the film "fails on every level" and referring to a scene with Robert De Niro said it "plumbs new depths of camp embarrassment".<ref>{{cite news | date = 21 October 2007 | author = Philip French | author-link = Philip French | title = Stardust | url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/21/robertdeniro.sciencefictionandfantasy | location = London | work = [[The Guardian]] | access-date = 12 March 2010 | archive-date = 19 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140219055126/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/21/robertdeniro.sciencefictionandfantasy | url-status = live }}</ref>
Deborah Ross of ''[[The Spectator]]'' called the film "a grindingly familiar huge pile of nothing which may please six-year-olds and fantasy nerds, but that's about it".<ref name="spectator">{{cite web |date= 17 October 2007 |author= Deborah Ross |title= Familiar fantasy |url= https://www.spectator.co.uk/2007/10/familiar-fantasy/ |website= [[The Spectator]] |access-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-date= 24 July 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190724221254/https://www.spectator.co.uk/2007/10/familiar-fantasy/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Accolades===
[[Associated Press]] Film critic David Germain put the film in 7th place on his list of the 10 best films of 2007.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 December 2007 |first1= David |last1=Germain |first2= Christy |last2= Lemire |url= http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Dec/20071227Go!013.asp |title='No Country for Old Men' earns nod from AP critics |publisher= Associated Press |via = [[Columbia Daily Tribune]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080103000750/http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Dec/20071227Go!013.asp |archive-date = 3 January 2008 |url-status= dead }}</ref> "[[Rule the World (Take That song)|Rule the World]]" was also submitted for consideration at the [[80th Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] but was not nominated.<ref>{{cite web |date= 12 December 2007 |last= Kay |first= Jeremy |title= Academy unveils 56 songs eligible for original song Oscar |url= https://www.screendaily.com/academy-unveils-56-songs-eligible-for-original-song-oscar/4036273.article |website= ScreenDaily.com |access-date= 7 August 2019 |archive-date= 13 August 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230813103001/https://www.screendaily.com/academy-unveils-56-songs-eligible-for-original-song-oscar/4036273.article |url-status= live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! scope="col" | Award 
! scope="col" | Category 
! scope="col" | Recipient 
! scope="col" | Result
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[34th Saturn Awards|34th Annual Saturn Awards 2008]]<ref>{{cite web |title= 34th Annual Saturn Awards |url= http://www.saturnawards.org/nominations_.html |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130310130646/http://www.saturnawards.org/nominations_.html |archive-date= 10 March 2013 }}</ref>
| [[Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film|Best Fantasy Film]]
| ''Stardust''
| rowspan="3" {{Nominated}}
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
| Michelle Pfeiffer
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Costume|Best Costume]]
| Sammy Sheldon
|-
| [[13th Empire Awards|Empire Awards 2008]]<ref>{{cite web |author= Empire Awards |title= 13th Empire Awards |url= https://www.empireonline.com/awards2008/winners/scifi.asp |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080511210446/https://www.empireonline.com/awards2008/winners/scifi.asp |archive-date= 2008-05-11 |access-date= 14 August 2019 }}</ref>
| [[Empire Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy|Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy]]
| ''Stardust''
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[19th GLAAD Media Awards|GLAAD Media Awards 2008]]
| Outstanding Film - Wide Release
| ''Stardust''
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[Hugo Awards]] 2008<ref name="hugo">{{cite web |url= http://www.thehugoawards.org/2008/08/2008-hugo-award-results-announced/ |title= 2008 Hugo Award Results Announced |date= 9 August 2008 |publisher= [[World Science Fiction Society]] |access-date= 1 February 2012 |archive-date= 28 December 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161228145517/http://www.thehugoawards.org/2008/08/2008-hugo-award-results-announced/ |url-status= live}}</ref> 
| Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form
| Jane Goldman (written by), <br />Matthew Vaughn (written by/director), <br />Neil Gaiman (based on the novel by), <br />Charles Vess (illustrated by)
| {{Won}}
|-
| Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards 2007<ref>{{cite web |date= 19 December 2007 |last= Maxwell |first= Erin |title= Phoenix critics adore 'Old Men' |url= https://variety.com/2007/scene/awards/phoenix-critics-adore-old-men-1117977965/ |website= Variety |quote= Stardust was recognized as the overlooked film of the year. |access-date= 30 April 2020 |archive-date= 30 June 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200630003726/https://variety.com/2007/scene/awards/phoenix-critics-adore-old-men-1117977965/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
| Overlooked Film of the Year
| ''Stardust''
| {{Won}}
|}

==Home media==
The film was released on both Region 1 DVD and [[HD DVD]] on 18 December 2007.<ref name="numbers" /> The DVD was released in both [[4:3 aspect ratio|Fullscreen]] and [[Widescreen]] aspect ratios.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66107 |title=Stardust (R1) in December – New artwork |publisher=DVD Times |access-date=2016-11-05 |archive-date=12 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012174107/http://dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=66107 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The HD DVD and DVD special features include a documentary entitled ''Good Omens: The Making of Stardust'';<ref name="making">{{cite AV media |people=Jon Mefford (director) |title= Stardust: Good Omens - The Making of Stardust |url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5640196/ }}</ref> [[deleted scene]]s from the film; the film's [[blooper reel]]; and the film's [[Trailer (promotion)|theatrical trailer]].

The film and special features on the HD DVD version are presented in [[2.35:1]] widescreen high definition [[1080p]] and feature a [[Dolby Digital Plus]] 5.1 audio soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web |date= December 17, 2007 |author= Joshua Zyber |url= http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1188/stardust.html |title= HD DVD Review: Stardust |publisher= HighDefDigest.com |quote= Sometimes a bomb is just a bomb. |access-date= 2021-10-10 |archive-date= 5 November 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161105160937/http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1188/stardust.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

The film was released on Region A Blu-ray Disc (Canada and US) on 7 September 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title= Amazon Blu-ray Disc listing |website= Amazon |url= https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AQR3IU |access-date= 2016-11-05 |archive-date= 23 March 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210323023039/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AQR3IU |url-status= live }}</ref>

==Legacy==
{{Anchor|Sequel}}
Vaughn had ideas for ''Stardust 2'' that would involve London in the 1960s, but the first film was not financially successful enough to justify a sequel.<ref name="den-stardust2">{{cite web |date= January 27, 2015 |author= Simon Brew |title= Matthew Vaughn interview: Kingsman, X-Men, Stardust 2, 007 |website= [[Den of Geek]] |url= https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/matthew-vaughn/33800/matthew-vaughn-interview-kingsman-x-men-stardust-2-007 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150130011522/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/matthew-vaughn/33800/matthew-vaughn-interview-kingsman-x-men-stardust-2-007 |archive-date= 2015-01-30 }}</ref>

On the 10th Anniversary of the film's release ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' interviewed Charlie Cox, who is frequently recognized by fans for the role early in his career. Cox is unsure why the film is so popular but notes that Vaughn wanted to make a film with broad appeal, and Goldman did a great job cutting out extraneous detail and focusing on the heart of the story. 
''Vanity Fair'' notes that the film gets replayed frequently in syndication and describes it as "endlessly likable", with a great cast, special effects that aren't too dated, and "the best adaptation of Gaiman's work, capturing his unique blend of darkness and whimsy perfectly."<ref name="vanityfair-10">{{cite web |date= August 10, 2017 |author= Jennifer Still |title= The Eternal Magic of Stardust, as Explained by Charlie Cox |url= https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/08/stardust-movie-charlie-cox-daredevil-neil-gaiman-anniversary |website= [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |publisher= Condé Nast |access-date= 25 July 2019 |archive-date= 9 August 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220809053311/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/08/stardust-movie-charlie-cox-daredevil-neil-gaiman-anniversary |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="den-10">{{cite web |date= Oct 19, 2017 |author= Mark Harrison |website= [[Den of Geek]] |title= Matthew Vaughn and Stardust, 10 years on |url= https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/stardust/52697/matthew-vaughn-and-stardust-10-years-on |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019102922/https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/stardust/52697/matthew-vaughn-and-stardust-10-years-on |archive-date= 2017-10-19 }}</ref>

Vaughn was critical of the marketing of the film, saying it had been promoted as if it were ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Lord of the Rings]]'' when it had been much more influenced by ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]''. He noted that although the film didn't do well in cinemas it became an "evergreen title" on DVD.<ref>{{cite web |date= 16 September 2017 |author= Gary Collison |title= Exclusive: Matthew Vaughn on the cult status of Stardust |url= https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2017/09/exclusive-matthew-vaughn-on-the-cult-status-of-stardust/ |website= FlickeringMyth.com |access-date= 29 July 2019 |archive-date= 13 August 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230813103000/https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2017/09/exclusive-matthew-vaughn-on-the-cult-status-of-stardust/ |url-status= live }} <br />{{cite AV media |date= 16 September 2017 |title= Matthew Vaughn on the cult status of Stardust |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh-76MQjl6U  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/bh-76MQjl6U |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=FlickeringMyth.com |via= [[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |date=2007 |edition=1st |last1=Jones |first1=Stephen |title=Stardust : The Visual Companion: Being an account of the making of a magical movie |publisher=Titan |location=London |isbn=978-1845766818 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/stardustvisualco0000jone/mode/2up |via=[[Internet Archive]] }} 
* {{cite book | date = 16 July 2013 | first = Ian | last = Sapiro | title = Ilan Eshkeri's Stardust: A Film Score Guide |page= 44 | publisher = Scarecrow Press | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dVfyAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA44 | isbn = 978-0-8108-9166-1 |via=Google Books }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{AllMovie title}}

{{Neil Gaiman}}
{{Matthew Vaughn}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stardust}}
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