Carey Mulligan
Brad Pitt
Last month I posted about the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie, and I could tell from the comments that readers are really excited about this adaptation—not to mention The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, book three in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy (out May 25).
So I know you’ll be happy to hear this news from Hollywood, too. Rumors are swirling about the American version of the movie, directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and produced by Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood). Word is that Carey Mulligan (An Education) will play Lisbeth Salander and Brad Pitt will star opposite as Mikael Blomqvist.
Casting has not been confirmed, although this IMDb message board suggests Mulligan and Pitt are a “strong bet.” Do you agree with these picks? Is there anyone you’d rather see as Lisbeth and Mikael?
Related in BookPage: Reviews of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. We’ll be covering The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest in our June issue, along with info on how the books came to be published in the United States. Stay tuned!
I cannot imagine why we need another version of the film when the Swedish film was such an incredible adaptation of the book. Hearing Lisbeth and Mikael in their native tongue adds to the feel of their story.
Carey Mulligan looks too cute to be Lisbeth. And Brad Pitt looks too cute to be Mikael. They need to find actors who aren’t so classically pretty.
I’m kind of wondering why Hollywood feels the need to put their spin on it but I could see Carey in the role if they roughed her up a bit. But Brad? I know he has ties to the director but he isn’t right for the role. I didn’t get that Mikael was a looker… that’s what makes it so remarkable that he can bed so many women and still be liked. LOL.
The casting is terrible. I saw the Swedish version and I say why fix it if it ain’t broken. My guess is the American viewing audience is too lazy to read subtitles. Hollywood will probably add insult to injury and make the movie in 3D!
Wow!
Mulligan could make a good Lisbeth. I think they can make her less pretty. Noomi Rapace is extremely pretty when she’s not playing Lisbeth
Brad Pitt? No, I’d say Sean Penn would be better.
An American version! No, no, no!
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Why do people continually think Pitt is the right guy for the job? Enough already. First of all, Mikael is not necessarily a pretty-boy. His looks are described as interesting but not exceptionally handsome – someone like Ewan McGregor. Maybe he’s not old enough, but that type. And for Lisbeth I see someone who looks more like Uma Thurman, but much smaller and younger. You’ve got to look harder and stop listening to the GenX people.
Franka Potente the German actress who starred in “Run Lola Run” would be perfect. Kristen Stewart has the raw edge look and the attitude needed (especially when she wears her hair short and spiked. Definitely NOT Brad Pitt or Carey Mulligan. Also, why is a Hollywood version even necessary? If it is, then use the original Swedish actors speaking English- they all speak English in the Scandanavian countries! Please do NOT Americanize this film. It will ruin the whole attraction of this trilogy!!!
I agree with the comments about Brad Pitt. If Hollywood makes their version of this film (and I’m not saying they should), they should consider actors like Gary Oldman or Hugh Laurie for Mikael’s character.
I also agree with the recommendation for Franka Potente; she’s got a look that would work as Lisbeth.
I saw the Swedish version and thought it was ok. I think that there could have been some things that were a bit better, however, this book is one of those that is difficult to translate to screen because Larsson gives so much information and so many plots/characters that its hard to shave all of that down into a 2 hour – 2 1/2 hour movie. As for the remake in America I don’t really have a problem with them remaking it. I think David Fincher is a perfect director for it. Can’t say that I love the idea that Carrie Mulligan would play Lisbeth because she seems way too sweet, but who knows maybe she will “edge it up”? Kristen Stewart has more of that edge and might be a better choice. I liked Noomi Rapace but I thought she was too tall for Lisbeth, as Lisbeth is only 4 feet 11 and less than 90 pounds. Every other way she fit the part well, so maybe I’m just too picky. As for Blomkvist Brad Pitt never would have crossed my mind for this role. I actually think that Daniel Craig or Clive Owen would be great in the part. Not that Brad wouldn’t be, it just feels like a role for one of those guys. Anyway, that’s my two cents. I haven’t read Hornet’s Nest yet and am DYING waiting for May 25th!
I hope Hollywood gets a great “unknown” for Lisbeth! This story deserves someone who has the chops but isn’t hugely recognizable – my pick would be the young American actress Alicia Ziegler who has just tapped into the market, but all her performances have captured a unique “real” quality and wisdom beyond her age.
here are my picks for male lead: clive owens, gabriel byrne, russell crowe. female: julia stiles, natalie portman, keira knightly
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Anthony Michael Hall as Mikael…..please check out his work over the last 20 years, not just the 80′s stuff.
aniel raig and Stephanie Hunt from Friday Night Lights series.
Daniel Craig and Stephanie Hunt
CLIVE OWEN is the perfect match for Mikael Blomkvist, as for Lisbeth, i was thinking of a shorter Olga Kurylenko… how can i get in touch with the casting director???
Agree with everyone who suggests Swedish version should be left alone. It is true also that while subtitles are sometimes a little nerve-wracking the sound of Swedish makes it all the more believable.
Lisbeth Salander was ¨created by Crocce¨, who turned in a great performance, and the good part was she was not known. The names I´ve seen so far and those I´ve thought of myself, names people know, come ¨loaded¨ with the other roles those movie stars have played.
If we have to have the American version, somebody must take a risk and find a new face to bring new life to Lisbeth.
I would like you to google Melisa Denise Coedo. I saw her name and her picture on a casting webpage. She´s just starting out on her career, but has already done Rizzo in a version of Grease in Miami.
I vote for Melisa Denise Coedo, a find.
I’ve got the Daniel Craig so far right. I’m sure of Stephanie Hunt also. She plays Devin in the now defunk Friday Night Lights series. Is an Austin Texas singer/musician(T Bird and the Breaks,and Ghost Songs). She definitely has the attitude to be cast as Lisbeth.
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