David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Finds a Lead

Posted by on August 16th, 2010   Filed under: Books/Comics, Remakes, Thriller
Source: Deadline

The search is over for the central role of Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher’s upcoming remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. After names such as Carey Mulligan, Natalie Portman, Ellen Page, Mia Wasikowska, and Emma Watson were thrown around, relative newcomer Rooney Mara has taken the coveted role. While not the most widely recognized name, Mara is quickly building up her resume, acting in films such as Youth in Revolt and the A Nightmare on Elm Street remake earlier this year. More recently, she’s worked with Fincher on his latest film, The Social Network. Clearly, Fincher has seen something special in Mara that should warrant consideration among fans of the Millennium Trilogy novels by author Stieg Larsson.

Mara joins a growing cast that includes Daniel Craig, Stellan Skarsgard, and Robin Wright, who is currently in talks for a role. The character of Lisbeth Salander is a computer hacker who becomes involved in unraveling a decades old murder mystery. The story deals with dark subject matter, something with which Fincher is well acquainted. Shooting begins next month in Sweden and a December 21, 2011 release date has already been set. While I’ve yet to see any of Mara’s work to judge whether she’s a solid choice, it certainly helps knowing that she’s worked with Fincher already. An established working relationship can go a long way.

What are your thoughts on Rooney Mara’s casting and how do you think the production is coming together?



  • Rusty

    This just reminds me I need to see the original, I think it’s on netflix streaming. Sorry Canadians.

  • Gil

    I haven’t heard of Rooney Mara, but I’d see this re-make. It can only be better than the shitty original one. I can all ready look forward to noticing a better quality in the film’s display. I don’t understand how the film looked digital, and shitty digital at that, when it was shot on actual film.

  • projectgenesis

    Given Ms. Mara’s Grandad owns the Pittsburgh Steelers and I HATE the Pittsburgh Steelers I am not a fan of this decision.

  • Steve

    I actually thought Carey Mulligan would be the perfect Salander. She has a very youthful, almost childlike face, the bob works perfectly.

    I don’t know anything about this girl, but will see how it goes. I’m still not sure if she’s too ‘pretty’ or has the steel to play Salander, especially with parts like the rape scene etc.

  • @ Gil. The first adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon tattoo was great.

    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor) Review:
    http://film-book.com/film-review-the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-man-som-hatar-kvinnor/

    Here is an article on Mara and her previous work: http://film-book.com/rooney-maras-potential-beyond-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-2010/

  • Gil

    @Film-Book dot Com
    Firstly, it wasn’t that good at all. Don’t get me wrong, the two rape scenes involving Lisbeth were pretty effective, and awesome (no joke). However, it doesn’t excuse the fact that the rest of the film suffered, because the writer or writers adapted it poorly. Getting from point A to B didn’t seem at all like a struggle, until it’s pretty much gotten resolved and the plot sorta climaxes just before the end. I’m hopeful of the remake because I feel Fincher would be good at working in all the little details, that I think should have been in the “original”. The film just felt too rushed in the 2 hours and something minutes run time. It really was just shit, not bad shit, but still shit overall. I was gonna go out on a whim and buy the blu-ray when it released, but borrowed it a week ahead before official release, and felt like an idiot for wanting to buy it in the first place.

    Second and finally — I don’t appreciate being poached over to your site, sir or madam. I’ve pledged my allegiance to Film Junk, thank you very much.

  • The Man

    I hated movie don’t give a crap about the books. That being said I think this chick can at least bring the same vibe as the other girl.

  • Steve

    The Swedish original adaption was…. not very good. The Swedish actress who played Salander did not at all look the part, and Blomkvist was ragged as hell. It also didn’t help that the movie obviously had a very small budget and downsized plenty of scenes and atmosphere to simply churn it out.

    SPOILER: The last scene in Dragon Tattoo where Blomkvist visits Australia and we get this impression like he’s viewing a massive, sprawling cattle station with burning sheep, workmen etc was turned into a handful of animals in a little shed (was it even filmed in Australia?)

  • mug punter

    A few I know saw this at separate times(the others are film buffs). We all thought the Salander character carried by Noomi Rapace, outstanding; and the whole flick fantastic. Michael Nyqvist played the part well too. Have to agree re the cattle station scene though, steve, bit cringey.