In 2009 the first adaptation of author Stieg Larsson’s award-winning Millennium series, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, was released starring Noomi Rapace as the titular character. In 2011 we were given an American version directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara now playing Lisbeth Salander. Fincher’s movie, which I still feel is criminally underrated, has quickly become my favorite of his – not to mention Mara’s performance which will likely someday be studied in acting classes.
It’s been four years since its release and word of a sequel has come and gone with no concrete evidence to support its existence. Most recently, there have been talks about a sequel with a new director and cast to come on board. I can’t say I’m overly excited to hear that they want to have a new director and star, but at least the material isn’t being forgotten altogether. Fincher and Mara have a lot going on and their price tags have likely gone up as well; so what’s a studio to do when they feel the first movie didn’t make enough money? MGM, one of the studios involved in the production, posted a "modest loss" and declared that they had expected the film to gross at least 10% more than it did ($232 million on a $90 million budget).
To quickly recap the story, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO is a psychological thriller that follows investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist's (Craig) investigation to find out what happened to a woman from a wealthy family who disappeared forty years prior. He recruits the help of Lisbeth Salander (Mara), a computer hacker with a photographic memory and what some might say are very poor social skills.
Fincher’s dark, grim tone brought in strong reviews and subsequent awards for its main star. So where do we go from here? We think of some casting options of course! Who might be able to put on the ink as it were and fill the role of Salander for the next movie? While we know Mara wants to come back and really believes she is unless told otherwise saying “I'm doing it unless someone tells me that I'm not—and then I still might do it” – so I think we can still at least discuss alternatives.
If the name Alicia Vikander sounds familiar it might be because you watched her shine as Ava earlier this year in EX MACHINA. Her star is certainly on the rise and a franchise would be a big plus for her career. Her performance as Ava, played with a cold demeanor with no regard for consequence, could transition well to Salander’s demeanor. She will be flexing her acting muscles even more with a role in the upcoming Bourne sequel; this actress is a serious contender I think.
I would also highly consider Brie Larson, she’s one of my favorite actresses and while she isn’t showing up everywhere in magazines or blockbuster movies, she certainly makes a lasting impact when she does. She’s worked her career perfectly and is about to blow up after this year’s remarkable performance in THE ROOM. She can bring the darkness and brooding, something our Tattooed lead will need. My final pick for the lead role would go to my favorite actress from last year from my favorite movie of last year, Sarah Snook (PREDESTINATION). Maybe it was because the movie didn’t get the attention it deserved, but her performance here was simply perfect. She could bring out the best in that introverted, asocial behavior of Salander’s we love so much.
So, ladies and gentlemen, what are your thoughts? I’ve heard a few people mention Sophie Lowe as a possible candidate; the singer/actress definitely looks the part, I haven’t seen her in anything to really make a case however. Of course the beautiful and funny Alison Brie could make a dramatic turn and shock us all, what would you say to that? If you have been watching iZombie, its star Rose McIver could potentially land on your wish list too. The young star could go for it and break out even more. Of course we have popular names like Elizabeth Olsen and Daisy Ridley. Olsen isn’t a stranger to the dramatic with her performance in MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE and Ridley is becoming something of a household name since her breakout role this month in that little indie flick STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.
Time will tell what becomes of this movie property, so for now join us as we speculate and dream of some casting options.
Who would you like to see in the role?
RESULTS BELOW FROM CAST THIS: C.J. Parker – 1. Margot Robbie 2. Charlotte McKinney 3. Kate Upton