The world of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series was brought to haunting life in David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Starring a magnetic Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film was a critical darling, even though commercial success did not match the hype.
Despite the original plan for a trilogy that ended up never materializing, the prospect of a sequel now, especially with Craig reprising his role, thus still remains an enticing possibility.
Why Daniel Craig Should Return for a Sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The idea of a Daniel Craig-led sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is certainly intriguing. The original film, while visually stunning and critically lauded, left a significant portion of the Millennium trilogy unexplored. Rooney Mara, while speaking to Parade about her co-star and the James Bond actor, reiterated what the masses already knew, she said,
He’s such a gifted actor and I just can’t imagine anyone else in that role. You know someone’s done it right when you can’t imagine anyone else playing a part. He was incredibly patient and kind with me and he’s a very generous actor.
The potential for a Dragon Tattoo trilogy was derailed when studio executives made the controversial decision to part ways with Daniel Craig, whose star was undeniably shining brightest as James Bond. Coupled with David Fincher’s ambitious plans for the sequel, which included a substantial budget increase, Sony ultimately pulled the plug on the entire franchise.
The sequel now, could focus on a completely different case, unrelated to the original, while still retaining the core dynamic between Blomkvist and Salander. This would offer a chance to explore new themes and subplots within the Millennium universe, given Fincher’s love for psychological thrillers, a sequel that delves deeper into the darker aspects of the characters and their world thus would be a perfect fit.
While Daniel Craig’s return is a key element of this proposal, casting Lisbeth Salander is equally crucial. Rooney Mara’s portrayal was iconic, but a new actress could offer a fresh perspective on the character. Although a film sequel may not be on the horizon, Amazon is exploring a series adaptation as reported by Variety. However, it’s unlikely that the original actors will reprise their roles.
Why Scarlett Johansson Didn’t Land The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Role
Scarlett Johansson was once in the running for the role in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo that Rooney Mara eventually landed. Rumor had it that Johansson was considered “too beautiful” for the part, she thus cleared the air and discussed with Howard Stern, what really went on,
That’s not exactly how it went,–I said, ‘I will, I can be that person’ and he was like, ‘No you can’t’. I really, really wanted that film because I felt I had something to contribute to it and I think Fincher just had a different vision for that character and Rooney Mara is, honestly, so perfect in it.
At just 26, the relatively unknown Rooney Mara made a notable impression with her brief yet impactful role in David Fincher’s Oscar-winning film The Social Network.
Despite her limited screen time, Mara’s performance demonstrated a compelling depth and intensity that caught the eye of Fincher. Recognizing her potential, he cast her in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a decision that would propel her into the spotlight.
The Girl with the Dragon is streaming on Max.
