Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman sent death threats

Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, along with the rest of the cast of the new film 'Golden Compass' have been been receiving death threats from religious zealots.

According to reports, the controversial new movie has been heavily criticized by Roman Catholic groups in North America who believe it promotes atheist values.

The group are calling for the movie - which has been based on Philip Pullman's book Northern Lights, to be boycotted.

The zealots have been sending hate mail through the post, says an insider.

"The amount of hate mail has been unbelievable.

"There have been death threats. Most of the backlash has been aimed at Pullman but even the cast has had their fair share of abuse."

And '007' star Daniel, 39 – who plays the character of Lord Asriel in the movie – says he can't understand why it's being targeted.

He told Britain's Daily Star Sunday newspaper: "I think the majority of people criticizing it haven't read it.

"These books are not anti-religious. Mainly they're anti-misuse of power – religious or political."