If you’ve been paying attention to this blog for a few years — or really any outlet that has tracked the back-and-forth drama — you’ll know we’ve been saying it’s very unlikely there will be a sequel to David Fincher’s “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” Released in 2011 — and losing momentum by the minute — the sequel grossed $102 million in the U.S. and only $232 million worldwide after a thirteen-week run. As a global best-seller a la “Fifty Shades Of Grey”— which in contrast has already grossed $409 million globally after two weeks — this is a major underperformance.
Add on top of that drama that Fincher fought tooth and nail with producer Scott Rudin and former Sony honcho Amy Pascal every step of the way, right down to the casting of Rooney Mara (who no one at the studio one really liked for the gig). And that’s not to mention the huge financial expenses outside of the actual production. Fincher and Rudin were being paid exorbitant sums, as was superstar screenwriter Steven Zaillian who was paid to do several drafts of it and its sequel “The Girl Who Played With Fire.” In short, squabbling aside, even if a sequel was ever made, there would be several million against it before a frame of footage was shot; not an ideal place for a best-selling property that underperformed right out of the gate.
Then there’s the fact that David Fincher is doing ten thousand other things and moving into TV; he’s developing three projects right now including shows for HBO and Netflix.
Thus a recent interview with ‘Dragon Tattoo’ star Rooney Mara tells you everything we’ve all been thinking for years now. “I don’t think it’s going to happen,” she told E!Online this week. “I’m sad never to do it again, but it just doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards.”
No major surprises there, everyone’s moved on, including the audience. Though as a best-seller that Sony put down millions of dollars to option a few years ago, don’t be surprised if they decide to reboot the series in a few years and start over again. Though perhaps ‘Fifty Shades’ is sad commentary on ‘Dragon Tattoo’: the much safer, boring and bland version of what is transgressive material on the page performed way better in theaters.
Are …you..serious????? You know how long I\’ve been waiting for this? I\’ve read the books (they were decent enugh. SPECIFICALLY the second book was good. But I couldn\’t get into the sweedish films for some reason. Maybe because I just find Rooney mara really attractive or something…) and now they\’re saying there isn\’t going to be a second one!? *roles into a little ball and dies* :(((((.
P.S: I hope the new book with the different author goes well.
The Millennium Series could get a reboot from scratch a few years from now.
Ugh, I\’m so, so tired of hearing people go on about the Swedish films. The first one is competent, nothing more. Rapace gives a brilliant performance for the ages, it\’s true. However she\’s not playing the character as described in the books, but a garish, drag imitation of her. Mara\’s performance is 1000x closer to the Lisbeth of the novels. The second Swedish film is by a different director, and is almost unwatchable in its TV-movie level mediocrity. People lavishing praise on the Swedish versions just want to sound superior. Fincher\’s film is made with more technical skill than the first Swedish film (no shock), and has a clearer, superior script that is also far more faithful to the novel (the Swedish film leaves out the finale, or what Fincher called "act five"). I\’ll take his film over the much-vaunted Swedish one any day.
Quite a few did not see the American version because they felt Noomi Rapace, in the original Swedish film adaptations, was the definitive Lisbeth Salander.
In response to Jason, no matter how talented Fincher is (and i\’m a huge fan) there\’s no escaping the fact that the Swedish version with Noomi Rapace is much, much better than the US remake.
The Millennium series will get a reboot from scratch in a few years.
no one at SONY really liked Mara for the gig ??????
Snarky response #1:
You\’re right. In fact, if you want to see the book, read it.
Snarky response #2:
I\’d definitely prefer to settle on the one made by the guy who did Dead Man Down.
The American remake was unneeded and certainly any sequels are just a waste of time. Nothing can surpass the original three Swedish releases of this trilogy. Still highly recommend for those who wish to see these books on film.
I think any sequels being done by David Fincher is certainly not going to happen. Unless Fincher took a drastic pay cut. But it\’s never to soon to call a potential franchise "dead".
There\’s a fourth book in the series coming out this August. If that does very well in sales I would not be surprised if "The Girl Who Played With Fire" suddenly becomes a must-make feature.