The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series

[hal9000]

One book, two films. I haven't seen the Swedish adaptation, although I hear the Noomi Rapace is fantastic. David Fincher is directing the US version.

Nikkie Finke reports that every 20-something "name" is coveting the role.:

Carey Mulligan, the Oscar nominee from The Education, actually phoned the pic's writer Steve Zallian and took him to lunch. (Reminds me of that bad joke about the ambitious actress and the writer.) Juno Oscar nominee Ellen Page wrote a heartfelt note to Rudin. (Her Hard Candy persona is perfect for the part.) Sony execs insist they're "nowhere near casting". But Mulligan, Page, Kristen Stewart, Mia Wasikowska, Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway, Olivia Thirlby, and Scarlett Johannsen are all circling.

It would be fun if they thought outside the A/B-list and went with, say, an Asian actress. This role could go to someone of any description. But I'm not holding my breath.

The male lead has been offered to Brad Pitt who is still deliberating. I prefer his comedy/crackpot roles and would prefer someone with a personality a bit less boyish, more solid.

[Yossarian]

I've seen the Swedish version and it was GREAT. Noomi Rapace was really good and, I guess, as true to character physically as they could get. She was too tall really but I don't think they are that many 4 foot 9 inch adult actresses out there!

As for the American version, I will scream if it goes to Natalie Portman. Christopher Hitchens has suggested Winona Ryder for the role but she's too old. Honestly, I think they should go for an unknown. Lisbeth Salander is such a unique character that watching a Scarlett Johanssen or an Ellen Page (better than the first option but not great) or anyone else recognisable would be too distracting. And, funnily enough, I don't think Brad Pitt would be too horrible as Blomquist - he'd have to put on weight (and Angie mightn't let him do that ) and lose the dufus act but he could pull it off. The guy is supposed to be attractive to women so Pitt might fit the bill? And Laura Linney should play Erika Berger!

That all said, why do they need to make an American version? The Swedish version is awesome, looks great, makes Sweden look divine. Can't Americans read subtitles? Deal with it, people.

[Baby Fish Mouth]

May 7, 2010 2:28:45 GMT -4 Yossarian said:

That all said, why do they need to make an American version? The Swedish version is awesome, looks great, makes Sweden look divine. Can't Americans read subtitles? Deal with it, people.

I agree. I'm encouraged that David Fincher is directing, but I still don't know why they can't leave well enough alone. Brad Pitt is totally wrong for that role.

[Deleted]

I loved the Swedish version. Thought it was one of the better movies to come out of Sweden in a loooong time (and I say that as an expat Swede). Rapace was brilliant and I don't know who could even come close to that performance and look in Hollywood. I wish they'd leave it alone, but it's inevitable that they'll remake and at least Fincher is a good director. I wonder what Ridley Scott would have done with a story like this. A follow up to Thelma and Louise? Strong female character kicking butt and some revenge-action? But Fincher will probably do a decent job.

It would be nice if they went with someone not totally famous as Salander. In the books, she is often mistaken for a boy, and I wonder what actress in Hollywood could do that convincingly. Portman is definitely all wrong for the part. Carey Mulligan looks nice but she also looks so soft and cute... Salander needs to have a hard look imo and definitely NOT be pretty.

[kostgard]

The only thing I know about this movie is that Roger Ebert absolutely raved about the Swedish version. I haven't seen it, but I could probably track it down on the internet somewhere.

I suppose the other thing I know is that I'm dreading the American remake. I don't know why that needs to be done, but I really do think that it boils down the whole "subtitles" thing. My father absolutely refuses to see a movie with subtitles. He's just all "I HATE 'em!!" and I'm sure he's not alone.

And it isn't even because he's had terrible experiences with it. Somehow (And I'm still trying to figure out how it happened) he stumbled into seeing Volver and really liked it. Just like some people refuse to watch black and white movies for no good reason, there are plenty of people who refuse to see movies with subtitles.

[Carolinian]

May 7, 2010 10:01:31 GMT -4 @mimmilina said:

It would be nice if they went with someone not totally famous as Salander. In the books, she is often mistaken for a boy, and I wonder what actress in Hollywood could do that convincingly. Portman is definitely all wrong for the part. Carey Mulligan looks nice but she also looks so soft and cute... Salander needs to have a hard look imo and definitely NOT be pretty.

She's not an actress (AFAIK) but I think Pink has the right look for Salander.

[angelaudie]

I suppose the other thing I know is that I'm dreading the American remake. I don't know why that needs to be done, but I really do think that it boils down the whole "subtitles" thing. My father absolutely refuses to see a movie with subtitles. He's just all "I HATE 'em!!" and I'm sure he's not alone.

And it isn't even because he's had terrible experiences with it. Somehow (And I'm still trying to figure out how it happened) he stumbled into seeing Volver and really liked it. Just like some people refuse to watch black and white movies for no good reason, there are plenty of people who refuse to see movies with subtitles.

kostgard, I think you hit the nail on the head. My dad is like yours. If a movie has subtitles it's a bare knuckle struggle to get him to try it. He's never had a bad experience with them but seems to think the subtitles will make the film hard to follow. Odd thinking since he's never had that experience.

I'm glad this thread was formed because I've been awfully confused by all the movie news for the American remake. Every time some entertainment show would announce another actress is trying to land a role in this movie I would think, "What? I thought that movie has already been made!" It didn't dawn on me that this is for a remake. Why I don't know since I know how Hollywood is convinced they can foreign films better.

[gingerdangerous]

This has definitely been a highlight of a movie-going experience for me this year, and I see a LOT of movies. The actress playing Lispeth was PERFECT; tough, original, sexy, and intelligent. I was on the edge of my seat the entire film, and after it was finished(2 and a half hours!) I wanted more. Hate to say it, but if any American name actress fits the role, I can see Kirsten Stewart, with the right direction, doing ok. Don't really like the idea of Brad Pitt. Needs to be someone rougher. Daniel Craig?

[Yossarian]

Ooh, Daniel Craig would be great for the role!

The reason that I think Brad Pitt *could* work as Blomquist is that because he is such a huge star he could be the high profile drawcard for the film. He'd bring in the backers and the publicity. Then they could get an unknown to play Salander. Of course, it won't work out that way; they'll get some pretty young thing to play Salander and sex her up a bit and make her all soft and vulnerable underneath everything.

On a final note, can I just say that when I went to see this film I looked up its details online and was informed by the relevant cinema that there was "a sex scene" in it. Um, that was not a fucking sex scene! That was rape! *shakes fist*

[Deleted]

I can't think of any hollywood or english native actress who would do justice to the role of Lisbeth salander or who would be better at it than Noomi Rapace. Noomi speaks english well so I hope they will give her the role in the Hollywood remake. I doubt it would happen, but one can hope. I am not sure how they will rewrite the script, but starting this fall they will shoot outdoor scenes in Sweden. I do hope that Fincher will direct it because then there's hope the movie won't be a watered down version when it comes to the grittyness and violence.