Image Credit: Wendy Redfern/Redferns/Getty ImagesSources confirm that Daniel Craig, the man best known as James Bond, will next play the scruffy muckraker Mikael Blomkvist in the Hollywood adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Deadline first announced the longtime rumor. Craig, 42, has signed on as the middle-aged journalist in David Fincher’s suspense-filled trilogy, the first of which is set to be released Dec. 21, 2011. Now Fincher can focus his attention on casting his heroine, the diminutive hacker Lisbeth Salander. Screen tests for the highly-coveted role are expected to happen this week.
Read more:
‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo;: Carey Mulligan will not play Lisbeth (EW Exclusive)
‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ casting: Who’s in the mix now?
This week’s cover: The secrets of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’
I heard that none of the A list actresses are being considered anymore, and they are focusing on mainly unknown actresses, which might be a better direction to go.
I do like Daniel Craig as the lead, though
I am first to admit I wasn’t blown away initially by this casting choice. But now looking at him, I think it may really work. He does look the part. Now if we can get a decent Lisbeth, in the vein of Noomi, we will be set.
i think that he will be superb in it, I really wish them luck finding a really good lisbeth.
Now they need to cast an actress in there late-20′s/early-30′s cus any younger will just be creepy. I still say Jena Malone. She would be perfect.
Normally I’d agree, but in this case, they can’t go older with the actress. The ages were set in the books. Craig is probably a bit younger than the character he is playing.
dally is right…Mikael Blomvist is 45/46 in the books. Daniel Craig is only 42.
The actress’ age doesn’t matter. Lisbeth is frequently described as looking like a child anyways, but upon meeting her it’s very obvious that she’s not a child and doesn’t take sh*t from anyone. As long as the actress can do that, then it doesn’t matter how old she is in real life.
Actually, Blomkvist was 42 in the first book…born in 1960, took place in 2002. I remember thinking he was the same age as my dad. Despite his appropriate age, however, I don’t like Daniel Craig.
Hey, Lou. It’s supposed to be creepy. Lisbeth is meant to look like she could easily be mistaken for a 15 year old boy. (Ellen Page) They are an unlikely partnership so should look like that.
YES!! I’m so excited!! I can’t wait to see whose Lisbeth. I’m still hoping for Ellen Page or Léa Seydoux if they go with an unknown.
Off to google Lea Seydoux. I have no clue who that is. I can’t believe that don’t like any of the A listers, but who knows what’s going on.
FYI, Léa Seydoux played Shosanna in “Inglorious Basterds.” — I still think the Swedish films rock, and that no one will be able to touch Noomi Rapace. She is perfection as Lisbeth Salander. Daniel Craig is a fine actor, and I can see him as Mikael, but I thought Michael Nyqvist, who played Mikael Blomkvist in the Swedish films was wonderful and well cast. Clearly, I’m a huge fan of the Swedish films and can’t wait for the 3rd. I don’t feel this series needs to be re-made in English but hey, creativity is limitless, so good luck to them.
Shoshanna was played by Melanie Laurent.
@AT: I think she played young Shoshanna at the beginning of the film.
I hear it’s leaning a lot towards Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara – God no! She doesn’t look intelligent at all. Lisabeth made a bomb when she was… what 11-12. Rooney Mara with that jaw and eyes… puhleeeeze!
Really? I’m not familiar with her enough to judge her, but based on her pictures, she’s so boring! I like her sister, Kate Mara much better.
In a world of violence a war may break out, a world war…something most can’t fathom at this point in time. When that happens the power resides in the nation with what is known as the big stick. Now dont’ be fooled young Jedi, the United States is and always has been the big stick. We don’t always use it with grace but when we do use it, it’s effective and most don’t want to be on the receiving point, but in the end we will win. So bash us for not always making the best decisions, but if any of your tiny little countries were invaded, we would be the first to your rescue, so show a little more respect.
I agree! I just finished watching the movie, and it doesn’t need to be remaid! I think it is one of the best movies I have seen! It is perfect the way it is. I was searching to see what awards it had received and then I find out hollywood is remaking it again. WHY!
NO! NO! NO!
Why is there even a remake??????? Is it because Americans are too dumb and lazy to read subtitles and probably need it dumbed down for them?????
why yes we do thanks! and where ever you are be thankful you are not speaking German or Japanese becuase we have had to save most of the world a few times already..what difference does a stupid movie remake matter..
I must say, sparkle the gym bag, your name is quite cute
Cute name. Stupid comment.
Right. “Save the world”. After you dilly-dallied about deigning to enter WWII. If the brave Brits hadn’t hung on like they did, we’d ALL be speaking German.
We’ve more than destroyed any credibility we may have had for “saving the world” sixty years ago by ruining it in the last ten. Wise up, child. Read a book.
WTF have you been?
Lily is a nut job
I know I am, but what are you?
I will be the first person to admit that I’m not talented enough to read subtitles and follow the action on screen…so I would prefer to watch it in English.
Reading subtitles has nothing to do with talent. It’s is plain literacy.
I’m not saying I don’t know how to read…I’m just saying that I’m a slow reader…so while I’m reading the subtitles I miss what is happening on the screen…I thought simple literacy of my first comment made that clear…
oh…and to add more to your humilation…simple literacy would dictate that “It’s is” reads “it is is”…so…sucks to be you…
Change the language to English and you’re all set. I think they did a very good job dubbing it. It was not like those old Kung Fu movies where the lips and words don’t match.
Cheese. You’re digging yourself deeper. Just stop.
.. it sucks to be You! Nobody else has a problem reading a movie.
I actually have the same problem, AT, so please speak for yourself before attacking someone else. cheese had a legitimate reason to say what they said, being judged by Irina like that. But back on topic: it’s not to the point where I just won’t see a film that has subtitles. I can deal with it, but I’d rather just watch it in English.
All of you purists are nothing but jokes. You wouldn’t have read the *%#(^& book if it was only printed in Swedish, would you? So Shut the )^@^ up!
Cheese, it’s all about practice. The mroe subtitled films you watch the easiest it becomes. The biggest movies are English language films and the majority of the world’s population read subtitles without complaints.
Wow, Stormy, did you let any synapses fire before you wrote that? How does a book published in Swedish compare in any way to a film subtitled in English? One is in a language I can read, one isn’t.
A-K87 is right about practice being the key to subtitles if you’re generally a slower reader. And dubbing sucks, no matter how well it’s done.
I’m excited for the remake now. You haven’t seen it yet, it could be better than the Swedish ones.
I loved the Swedish versions, but I felt like they left out a lot of the character-building storyline like Mikael Blomvist’s relationship with Berger, whose married, and also with Cecilia Vanger. The story itself also seemed rushed in the Swedish versions.
Remakes are never better than the original. This is a waste of money and time.
Yeah, but David isn’t re-making the Swedish films. He’s adapting his own versions based solely on the books.
Well, I’ve watched the Swedish film and I think it kind of sucked. Noomi was amazing and there were some decent moments but overall the filmmakers did a really poor job of building suspense and they pretty much cut out all of the craziness of the Vanger family (the best part of the novel IMHO). The American movie will not be nearly as good as the book, but Fincher is too good of a director to not outdo the lazy Swedish film.
To be fair, the original movie isn’t really that good. There’s a lot of room for improvement.
So an English language remake directed by the guy who gave us the two best “killer” movies in recent years (Seven and Zodiac) sound pretty darn good.
To be fair, the original movie was awesome.
Ed is right, Irina is wrong. The original movie is very Hollywood-ish, especially for a Swedish film. Also, the sexual assault scenes were too long and graphic.
I’m so relieved that others didn’t enjoy the film — the movie was fine as a supplement to the book, but it really doesn’t stand on its own. Everyone I talk to seems to rave about it, and I feel like an outlier for not having enjoyed it.
This is coming from someone who devoured all three books.
I agree with Ed. I expected to like the Swedish version, but I was underwhelmed by it.
I loved the Swedish version for the actress playing Lisbeth, who was just superb, but I also didn’t like the changes (unnecessary in some cases) they made to the storyline. And the comments about leaving out the relationships with Berger and Cecilia are dead on. The relationship with Berger, at least, is integral to the plot of all the books.
I couldnt agree more.
Lily I think your reaction is very much justified. It was only a matter of time before Hollywood got it’s skanky, sleazy hands on it. Trust them to destroy it…
Why are you blaming Americans? More than half the world communicates via English. The language is “English” not American. Many countries in Asia, South America even Africa are waiting for the Hollywood version of the movie, because the distribution and marketing is better and thus the reach of audience.
You are ridiculous and insulting. The Swedish versions were NOT perfect, editing out huge character developments – this has been mentioned several times over these blog comments. Also, with the exception of Noomi Rapace, none of the other roles were fleshed out by the actors. I am thrilled that Craig has signed on to play MB. I am also looking forward to Fincher’s interpretation of the novels. Being both American, and able to read subtitles (shocker) I was actually not blown away by the Swedish films. For instance: what happened to Mikael’s relationship with Cecilia, Erika and the entire Wennerstrom Affair? What happened to Martin Vanger? We BARELY see him then the big reveal at the end happens…
thank you. i loved the book but the movie seems lacking. i understand that films should never be a literal interpretation of books because some parts of the books just won’t translate well onscreen. The film had the very graphic rape scenes (had to leave the room for those) but did not delve into the creepiness that is the Vanger family.
Just wanted to mention that the movies were produced by SVT, a Swedish television company and I believe they were originally made for TV. The movies had to be very shortened for the theatres but they aired the longer version on TV earlier this year in Sweden where all those things you’re missing are included. Granted that doesn’t matter if you can’t see it over in America but unfortunatly it is often the case with adapting books to the big screen. Some plotlines are always going to go missing when they try to fit a whole novel in a 2-hour movie. When I saw the movie I hadn’t read the book so I was able to enjoy it more than my friend who loved the book as she was irritated with all the things missing.
Jo: You are correct. In Gone With The Wind, Scarlett had a child with each of her three husbands. In The film, only with Rhett. Much is lost in translating books to film.
I agree, Lily. I don’t think there should be an American remake. The Swedish movies’s casting were perfect. I can’t wait until the Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest comes out. I’ve seen the first two Swedis movies and have read the second and half of the third books. Can’t wait to finish Hornets Nest. I don’t think anyone can do better than Noomie Rapace and Mickael Nyqvist.
I’ve seen the Swedish movies – Noomie was great, but Nyquvist wasn’t that unique, I’m sure Craig can do a fine job in the role. After seeing the films, I can certainly understand why she wouldn’t want to go through doing that role again for three more films.
Agree, Mike. Noomi was sensational, but I like Craig better as Blomkvist. I think he’ll do wonderfully.
The reason is money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!! money money money!!!
Not to mention a lack of talent among Hollywood writers and the fact that “Some U.S. Americans don’t have maps…”
The idea of someone in the deep south being able to read subtitles makes me laugh.
Snob, much?
No, it’s because the Swedish movies were too dumbed down – they completely played down the conspiracy angle and oversimplified all the characters.
Totally agree, Lily. Think the Swedish films are AWESOME. There’s no reason to re-make this fabulous Swedish trilogy into English-speaking. Noomi Rapace is sensational as Lisbeth and no matter who the American film casts, that actress will pale in comparison to Noomi. I loved the books and love the Swedish films. There was a great French film called La Femme Nikita. It was amazing. It was re-made into an “American” version with Bridget Fonda which was horrible. I can’t help thinking the same thing will happen here with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. They should just let the Swedish films stand as definitive.
Yes, Americans are lazy. More to the point the producers and movie makers like to harvest foreign films for ideas and then make money off them: 3 men and a baby, Shall we Dance, Kurosawa movies remade as westerns, etc. I think you just have to go with it–or not–and realize that in the end they may not resemble the original movie at all. I’m sure the Hollywood version will feature more boobs and a happier ending than the books…
Why can’t both versions stand alone? If you purists had your way the only hamburger chain would be White Castle and the only soft drink would be Coke.
Agreed! The Swedish film was perfect! There is no need for a re-make, especially one that will undoubtedly be crap due to these studio execs who know notihng about the creative art of movie making.
Imagine if the Swedish remade Silence of the Lambs.
There would be no need to do so; the same with this film.
Boycott, boycott, boycott.
There are at least four screen versions of Pride and Prejudice. Each interesting in it’s own way. Everyone from Jeff Buckley to Bon Jovi has recorded Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Each good in it’s own way. Robin Hood has been made countless times for film and television and in several languages. Many interpretations of any major work exist. Why not an American interpretation of Larsson’s work?
In a world of violence a war may break out, a world war…something most can’t fathom at this point in time. When that happens the power resides in the nation with what is known as the big stick. Now dont’ be fooled young Jedi, the United States is and always has been the big stick. We don’t always use it with grace but when we do use it, it’s effective and most don’t want to be on the receiving point, but in the end we will win. So bash us for not always making the best decisions, but if any of your tiny little countries were invaded, we would be the first to your rescue, so show a little more respect.
wasn’t this movie made last year?
Boo.
It’s good casting. Now sign Scarlett Johanssen, Natalie Portman, or Emma Watson as Lisbeth and Rock On!
I agree with Portman
Kate Beckinsale would be good, too
No, no and no. You have to broaden your view. We need someone who’s going to take us farther out of what we’re use to. That’s why this story is so good. Hollywood has ben putting out junk films lately and we (Americans) have been eating it up.
Stan is right. The main reason the books are so incredible is the character of Lisbeth, who is more complex, real, and bada** than pretty much any female character in cinema. Going A-list just to put a name on the poster is asinine with these films. If they don’t cast a good, believable Lisbeth and stay as true to the novels as possible, it’ll be a disappointment.
Kate Beckinsale is WAY too old and way too pretty
All of them are too A-list and already attached to a big series of films (Harry Potter, Thor, Avengers).
They’re going to go with someone like Ellen Page or Léa Seydoux.
Natalie Portman would be the worst choice ever. Such an obnoxious little indie actress.
have you read the description of Lisbeth? ScarJo is anything but built like a 15 year old boy. even the boob job in the second book doesn’t put her in the running. I really hope they go with an unknown or lesser known.
ScarJo is too “fat” to play Lisbeth (not that I’m dissing her body: I’m actually pleased that she’s so popular given the fact that she has a more normal body type than skeletal). I actually just don’t like her, and she’s totally wrong for the part in every single way, that’s all.
So with you on not liking ScarJo. Christina Ricci is the only well known actress, right body size and all around creepiness to play Lisbeth.
Scarlett is too busty and curvy
i love him as mikeal! he even looks like the actor in the original swedish version! he’ll do a great job now the task is to find the perfect lisbeth!
I’d have preferred Jude Law because he’s more polished and gentler than Craig.
Mikael Blomkvist-Daniel Craig
Lisbeth Salander-Emily Browning
Dragan Armansky-Sean Penn or Jude Law
Erika Berger-Vera Farmiga
Harriet Vanger (if used in flashbacks)-Amanda Seyfried
Henrik Vanger-Christopher Plummer
Cecilia Vanger-Amy Adams or Marisa Tomei
Nils Bjurman-Bradley Cooper or Woody Harrelson
Harald Vanger-Russell Crowe
I’m only halfway through the book, so if you notice any missing characters, comment. This is my ideal list.
Add Tilda Swinton as a possibility for Cecilia.
Emily Browning is way too pretty and cherubic to be Lisbeth Salander.
Cecilia is in her mid 50s. Diane Lane would be a better choice. Most of your choices are age inappropriate.
Ellen Barkin would be the perfect Cecilia Vanger.
(Young)Harriet Vanger=They will probably cast someone random. The role isn’t that important. She appears in pictures for most of the book/film.
Dragan Armansky is in his late 50s, early 60s.
Nils Burjman is also in his 50s.
Harald Vanger is older than Henrik.
@everyone who has replied so far: Sorry to leave out some of the older actors, but I just can’t think of someone for those roles. Stanley Tucci could play Bjurman, but he’s bald and has already played a rapist before.
If they were a bit younger, I’d say Hillary Swank, Claire Danes, or Franka Potente.
Ever since Boys Don’t Cry, Hillary creeps me out…..
All of them are wrong with the exception of Franka.
No, no, and NO!
Franka Potente’s face is perfect for Lisbeth but folks, Lisbeth Salandar is supposed to be UNDER 5 feet tall and so thin at first glance people think she is anorexic or 14 years old. Franka is 5’8″… it doesn’t work.
@Georgie – Yeah, Kate Beckinsale is a good choice.
I think Beckinsale is too pretty for Lisbeth. I wonder about maybe Evan Rachel Wood?
Please no…not enough distance between now and Marolyn Manson for my tastes. Sorry if i misspelled his name…he creeps me the eff out.
After seeing ERW in all the awfulness that is her portrayal of Sophie-Anne in True Blood, I don’t want to see her in anything for a long time. Especially not this project.
……No
No to Beckinsale. Too old. And no to ERW. Too meh. Next!
He definitely fits. Actually, Daniel Craig really looks like the version of Blomkvist I had in my head while reading. So good choice!
Mine too! I’ve actually started picturing someone who’s a mix between Daniel Craig and the actor in the Swedish films since I saw those versions; but Craig is perfect for Blomvist. He’s hot, but not hot.
Either he’s hot or he’s not. Pick one!
He’s both. lol.
He’s hot, but not Brad Pitt hot.
“It Girl” Betty White would be perfect for the role…
I like it. I like it a lot.
Eva Green would rock as Lisbeth
Nope. Next!
Please, read the books.
I know, right?
no! Not Daniel Craig!!! Someone more “scruffy.” Not perfect looking! Have the producers even read the book????
Huh? Daniel Craig is totally scruffy and not perfect looking.
Craig isn’t perfect looking….
Did you hear Brad Pitt was auditioning for the role? I almost barfed when I heard that. Daniel Craig is perfect for the role.
I understand why they would consider Brad. He fits the bill, but I think he’s TOO attractive and looks too young for the role.
Blomvist is attractive, but not gorgeous like Pitt. Blomvist is also a bit arrogant, very good with women, a smoker even though he’s quit several times, he’s really intelligent, and extremely street smart. He knows how to get a story and he’s really good at reading people. Pitt would’ve worked, but Craig is better.
Viggo Mortenson would have been great.
@kerryo
I agree. Viggo Mortenson has the whole ruggedly handsome thing down, and would have been fabulous. But Daniel is a good choice.
At least he’ll get his first Oscar nod for the role.
One of my all-time favorite actors. I’ll watch anything with him in it. Now let’s see who they get for Lisbeth. It has to be someone who matches him well and isn’t just a Hollywood pretty face or popular name.
Perrrrfect casting!!! And now they can get an unknown as Lisbeth because they have a big name. Very happy about this!
I said it before, and I’ll say it again, Delphine Chanéac should be cast. She’d be great – and is relatively unknown.
Um, no. Next!
I don’t know. she could work. depends on her height though. has to be an actress on the very short side
Lily says no, and since she’s the one casting it … you heard her … “next!”
Lily – eat s*#t and go back to Sweden.
She’s got an interesting look, but she’s too pretty.
I’m going for unknown sascha raeburn, her kickboxing/martial arts edge is all class for this role