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EXCLUSIVE: Add Daniel Craig to the conversation of who might star in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the David Fincher-directed adaptation of the novel by Stieg Larsson that has become such a publishing phenomenon. Nothing’s set, but I hear they’re talking. Steve Zaillian-scripted pic is being prepped by Columbia Pictures and producer Scott Rudin. Speculation has so far focused on Brad Pitt. No offers have been made, I’m told by the studio, but it’s the hot project, particularly with two more installments by the late Larsson right behind this one. Craig next stars in the Jon Favreau-directed Cowboys and Aliens. His franchise character, James Bond, is stuck in limbo because of the uncertainty over MGM.
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Daniel Craig is perfect for it. Great choice – and a great movie – almost a shame to remake it.
Agreed – it is a total shame that this even needs to be remade but since it is, I have to say as soon as I heard this about Craig I thought “Perfect!”. He even kind of looks like the actor who played the role in the Swedish version. Craig + Ellen Page for Lisbeth (a la her “Hard Candy” days, not “Juno”) would be ingenious casting.
Daniel Craig & Ellen Page would be ingenious casting! The girl in the Swedish version of the movie looked horrible to me and did not jive with the mental picture that was in my head after reading the book, but Juno would be perfect!
Have a safe & fun trip scouting in Sweden Jim, (but keep as many things here as you can),:)
“The girl in the Swedish version of the movie looked horrible to me and did not jive with the mental picture that was in my head after reading the book, but Juno would be perfect!”
Um, which book did you read??? So you want a 4 ft 10 in girl with the countenance of a 12 yo boy to play lisbeth? O, I just saw your name is twilautner. That it explains it.
Daniel Craig will be great with Jennifer Garner. She was great in Alias. I don’t see Ellen Page in this role at all there are certain scenes that I could not see her carry out which is crucial to the story.
Love the Page-Craig pairing idea. Both can be gritty. Early Page – Mouth to Mouth & Hard Candy. Plus Tracey Fragments and potentially in James Gunn’s new movie Super.
Hey, Mike — No mention that this Rudin project is an AMERICAN REMAKE?
Mr. Craig is a great European actor and I believe he will play an fantastic blomkvist – Michael Nyqvist is an fine Swedish actor but not over. I’m more nerves about the Salander part. Noomi Rapace was so outstanding, specially in the last to moves, in the original production. Sorry but I can’t see anyone else in this icon part. It is like Nikita. Anne Parillaud is Niktia.
I would love to see Archie Panjabi (Kalinda in The Good Wife, CBSTV)as Lisbeth Salandar. Perfect for the part.
I read all three books and as soon as I thought about Lisbeth, Ellen Page came to mind. It has to be her.
Liam Neeson would be better than Craig. Ellen Page is dead on.
Except for small stature, I don’t see the fit. I just saw her in inception and cannot picture her having any chemistry with a Daniel Craig or any other older European actor. Too cute.
Why are people so lazy to read subtitles?
Gerard Butler is the perfect Blomkvist. But seriously, do we need a remake?
Because they can’t read fast enough.
I agree wholeheartedly! Why do American’s have to always have it their way??? Why can’t we just enjoy something original!!!!! Leave all the big American stars out of it. Jeepers!!!
Whoa, wait a minute! I’m a Yank, and I LOVED both GWTDT and its sequel. OUTSTANDING! Playing to full houses here! I too thought “Ack! There’s no need to remake it! These are perfect…”
But Daniel Craig ROCKS. And with Ellen Page: a match made in heaven–if the director can keep it character-driven, as opposed to all violence.
all you swedish tv production loving fanatics must relax.
this IS NOT a remake. it’s an adaptation of the original novel!
i believe i read that fincher & zallian haven’t even seen the swedish version, so this will be a fresh take.
i’m personally very excited about daniel craig (much more believable as skandinavian)
Craig is a better actor than Brad Pitt. I don’t understand why people are still trying to pimp Brad Pitt as a some amazing actor. I’ve only seen maybe 2 movies of his where I thought he was believable. Pitt’s serious face looks like he’s pooping his pants.
Pitt has been in a hell of a lot better films than Daniel Craig. So lets stop the nonsense.
I agree that Pitt has been a lot of better films than D. Craig. However Craig does seem like good casting for this pic. Additionally Brad does not seem like the type to want to be committed to sequels.
You missed the Oceans 11-12-13 movies, I take it.
At this stage in his career, a surefire three-picture deal might be just what he’s looking for. He won’t have to worry about finding tons of work for a few years, freeing up time to pursue production work.
Agree whole heartedly with you about Pitt. He has such a small range. Putting him in a European context – no way. Are they “adapting” Sweden out of the movie?
I can’t believe we need a remake of a film that was only just released….is it really necessary?
What movies are necessary?
Daniel Craig is sooooooooooooo boooooooooorring. Say it isn’t so.
No, Joe…he is not boring. He may not be appealing to YOU, but he’s not boring.
Why remake and outstanding film that is still playing first run.
As the NY Times review stated see the Swedish version before Hollywood screws it up. Amen
Why in the world do the suits @ Sony keep promoting this remake that’s destined to Fail? Are the top execs there so out of touch that they don’t realize the original European film here has surpassed $125m in worldwide box office just over the last year and is still playing, with the dvd now coming out as a bestseller in numerous territories too?? Several studios passed on this remake after marketing research showed that most overseas audiences would have no interest in seeing a remake of this film over the next five years. Someone might want to help awaken Sony before they waste a big budget on such a NonStarter.
Hilarious. This is just as misguided as LionsGate thinking that Kick-Ass was a $100m blockbuster. No way. Dumb thing to remake, Sony.
I liked the original Swedish film much more than Fincher’s attempt at similar material several years ago with Zodiac…which only made a fraction of the box office that Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s nailed over the last year.
Craig is a fantastic choice since they are determined to remake the film. He will bring that wonderful quality the character demands for the film. Pitt can’t pull it off.
I pegged Daniel Craig for the role weeks ago, but we all know that he’s the 2nd choice here. If Brad Pitt wants the role it’s his. Knowing Pitt though he’ll turn it down because frankly it’s just not his cup of tea. At this stage in his career he’s looking for challenges and from what I know about the Larssson books and the Blomkvist character – there’s nothing there that’ll be challenging to Pitt with the exception of trying to pull off a Swedish accent. Beyond that I sincerely doubt he’s doing more than reading the script as a courtesy to his good buddy David Fincher. Besides, with the way Pitt picks up drops projects there’s no way in hell he’ll make a 3-picture commitment to this project. That’s just not how he works these days. I just can’t see Pitt wanting the headache of a franchise with a studio constantly nipping at his heels. He’s got way too many irons in the fire to tie himself down with this project.
Daniel Craig a better actor than Brad Pitt? Pfffft. That’s debatable. Craig’s got one expression – like he’s sucking on a lemon and hit a seed. He’s going to need more than that to pull off this role, that’s for damned sure.
The best news since I heard the bad news of this remake. The film and the book’s political backdrop are so Swedish. But with Daniel Craig bringing his ruthless hotness to the role, it may not be a total disappointment.
No need to make another version of this movie. The Swedish version and the actors in it are all terrific and after seeing it I would have no interest in seeing an American version. But if an American version of this movie has to be made what about Viggo Mortensen for the male lead – he is a much better choice than Daniel Craig or Brad Pitt!
Was just thinking Mortensen. Pretty sure he has scandanavian blood too. But, I think he would have preferred the actual swedish version?
What publishing phenom? Mike Fleming are you just rewriting press releases? Stieg Larson’s books have no profile at all in the US — Maj Sjowahl and Per Wahloo (Martin Beck, police procedural) wrote and sold more books in the English (and Swedish) speaking nations.
Harry Potter and Twilight are publishing phenoms. Stieg Larson and Dragon Tattoo get a big “what? who?” to readers. He’s sold according to Wiki (I know) 2 million copies total. That’s not a phenomena. Anymore than Cowboys and Aliens or Kick-Ass were famous comic books.
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The project will predictably be a great big flop. It might win Oscars, but not cash or audiences. Sjowahl and Wahloo would be a better bet — there’s an actual story there. With likeable characters. No Communist propaganda.
Pitt? Craig? The protagonists are some tattooed 20 something promiscuous stripper and a paunchy, late fifties drunk reporter. Not exactly cinematic. If were to stay true to the source material you’d cast Tia Tequila and Nathan Lane.
Try to find a copy at your local library of ‘the girl that kicked the hornet’s nest’ or any of the novels (waiting lists in the hundreds) that gives you a sense of how word of month has made Larsson’s books unique. plus book stores in our city ( a major midwestern city of 3 million)have already reordered even though the book was just release on May 25th, just 9 days ago.
yes all 3 of the books could have used the hand of a strong editor but without Larsson here to defend his own voice it is understandable that so much was left in tact. it is also obvious from your comments that you have not read the books.
Salandar is a deeply damaged young woman who may have Asperger’s but also a steel core of survival and Kalle ‘f-cking’ Blomkvist is mid 40′s with a passion for sex and the truth not alcohol.
wish U.S audiences would embrace the swedish film version and resist the temptation to re-imagine the novel before these films getter a wider showing here. but if it must be, craig is a better choice over pitt.
Not 2 millions, but 27 millions copies. Not bad at all.
As soon as I saw the Swedish version I suspected Daniel Craig was going to be a maoin candidate for the role of Blomqvist, because him and Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist are so much alike they seem to be twins separated at birth.
However, while reading the book I thought Liam Neeson comes to mind as the most perfect candidate for the character of Blomqvist. I rrreally hope he’s going to be considered for this part.
Anyone agree?
this is dumb
As much as I really like Daniel Craig and think he’s a fine actor, the concern would be his charismatic movie star persona overwhelming whoever is chosen to play Salander. Is there another female character so powerfully riveting in fiction today? The Swedish actress has been perfect btw. Still, I’ve seen Craig tone it down, so he might be okay.
For that same reason, while he’s not a bad actor by any means, Brad Pitt would be a total disaster of miscasting. Does anyone think he can play second fiddle? I guess of the usual gang of suspects, only Clooney has the chops to pull off someone as world weary and sympathetic as Blomkvist. He’s who I picture anyway.
Actually, all of this is really kind of a shame – I’ve never seen books so perfectly realized as the first two movies I’ve seen. I can just imagine them sanitizing the crap out for the American version.
The Vanishing anyone?
Brad Pitt is an awesome actor. As created some amazing Iconic characters. I really like Daniel but he bottom line is will he be able to put the butts in the seats? Answer.. Doubtful. SO if they want this to make money they will need a Big name.. Love Brad but don’t think he will do it. Other than the Ocean movies he does not do sequels. Which is a great thing in my opinion. Plus Brad does stack films back to back. He spoke of that just last year. Saying people should not believe the stuff about what movies he is attached to. He likes to keep a clean slate so that if somehting interesting comes along he can do it.
Bottomline whether people like it or not. If he wants the role it will be his. His next project in the works is still Lost City of Z. I think he really wants that made. SO with the over 5 projects people have attached his name to.. I don’t see him doing many if any of them.
I enjoyed the Swedish version of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” so much (have seen it twice). I am hoping agains hope that Hollywood will not make a US version. How can you improve on perfection?
Let The Right One In didn’t need a remake.
Death at a Funeral didn’t need a remake.
The Swedish versions of the Stieg Larsson books DESERVE to be remade. They are not terrible by any means but they do not reach the full potential of the story. The films lack polished technique and appealing actors. Ellen Page and Liam Neeson would be a huge upgrade.
Fincher’s Seven is a much better representation of what he could do with the material, not the far inferior Zodiak.
Daniel Craig is an excellent choice. but I wouldn’t cast Page as Salander. Page is the right size, and that’s about all she would bring to the character. She’s good at glib and mouthing-off while Salander is neither superficial nor voluble. I don’t see Page bringing any emotional depth or mystery to this character.. The producers ought to look at Alison Pill, who’s now off-Broadway in a two-hander with Edie Falco. She had a small role in “Milk”, but made a powerful impression in a role on “In Treatment” last season and has a solid Broadway reputation. She’s tiny but fierce.
These novels are pathetically overrated, and only sell because of their obviously knockout titles. The Swedish move of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was shockingly gripping, only because the filmmaking was razor sharp and made fresh-faced actors much more compelling than the convoluted & absurd storyline. There is absolutely no way an American remake would be anything but a Total Flop, someone should save David Fincher’s career and get him to duck out of this fiasco.
I’m always puzzled when folks say Pitt can’t act. It reminds me of what was said about Paul Newman for years when finally he received recognition late in his life for his body of work and also finally won an Oscar. If you have followed Pitt and have actually seen several of his movies, you would know that his roles are varied, his characters diverse and not pretty. Unfortunately, Pitt, (& another of my favorites,Val Kilmer, who of late has become a mystery)and Newman have all been underestimated and overlooked by some critics and haters. (Pitt’s recent work in Ben Button and Jesse James was really well done, not too mention past movies: Fight Club, Legend of the Falls, River Runs thru It, Interview with a Vampire) If anyone would care to objectively look at his work, you’d have to give the guy serious credit.