Who will replace Rooney Mara in Dragon Tattoo sequel?
The long-awaited sequel to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is finally confirmed with a new director and the hunt for a new star.
Lisbeth Salander, one of the most popular female protagonists in the literary world, is returning to the big screen in a sequel to David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
The Girl In The Spider's Web will be released by Sony next year, adapted from the fourth book of the Millennium series - the one penned by author David Lagercrantz, after Stieg Larsson passed away.
Fincher will also step away from the project, with Don't Breathe director Fede Alvarez taking over the adaptation.
New author, new director - and a search for a new star.
Salander will no longer be played by actress Rooney Mara, who turned the project down at the same time as Fincher.
Producers Scott Rudin and Amy Pascal are now left with the arduous task of finding a new lead, but there is no shortage of high-profile candidates.
According to reports in several speciality magazines, the shortlist includes names such as Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman, who have both showed interest in playing Salander.
"In all of contemporary literature, Lisbeth Salander is completely 'sui generis' (unique), probably one of the greatest female literary characters of all time in my view," said Columbia Pictures president Sanford Panitch at the London Book Fair on Monday.
"Modern punk defiance personified, she is unforgettable in every incarnation, truly one of the most compelling characters we've seen in recent years."
The Girl In The Spider's Web follows the punk superhacker and journalist Mikael Blomkvist entangled in a web of corruption and crime.
It is yet unclear if James Bond star Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Blomkvist, or who would be in line to replace him.
Alvarez said he is "hugely excited and grateful" for the opportunity to continue Fincher's work, saying "Salander is the kind of character any director dreams of bringing to life".
"We've got a great script and now comes the most fun part - finding our Lisbeth."
The Girl In The Spider's Web opens in cinemas in October 2018.
