Skarsgard and Wright Negotiating Roles in Fincher’s ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’

David Fincher and Sony Pictures are clearly taking their time in choosing the right actress to play the titular heroine for their remake of the Swedish crime thrillerThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but that doesn’t mean there has been a lack of activity and news concerning the project as several developments have been made in regards to some of the film’s secondary characters.

Variety’s Gunnar Rehlin and Tatiana Siegel are reporting Stellan Skarsgard is in negotiations to join the cast and play Martin Vanger, one of the key suspects in the 30 year old unsolved murder being investigated by journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and the still to be cast computer hacker Lisbeth Salander. I initially envisioned someone like Brendan Gleeson (In Bruges) as a perfect fit for the part while watching the original, but Skarsgard makes a lot of sense as well. He is a Swedish native after all.

In addition, Deadline‘s Mike Fleming reports Robin Wright is in talks to take on the role of Erika Berger, Blomkvist’s publisher at Millennium magazine and occasional lover. From what I recall, this was not a part of considerable size or substance so the possible casting of an actress like Robin Wright comes as a bit of a surprise to me. The deal being negotiated includes options for the two sequels, so perhaps the role expands as the trilogy moves forward, but I haven’t seen the second feature The Girl Who Played With Fire or read any of the books.

As for those Lisbeth Salandar candidates, word now is the battle for the coveted role is between Emily Browning (Sucker Punch, The Uninvited) and Rooney Mara (Youth in Revolt, A Nightmare on Elm Street). Browning was last thought to be out of contention, but that rumor has obviously been proven false. I guess the one feather in Mara’s cap is that she has a role in Fincher’s upcoming The Social Network. There’s no telling if this will work in her favor, but it obviously doesn’t hurt.

Production on The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo will begin this fall with a release date for December 21, 2011 already set, so with casting beginning to heat up I expect we’ll hear soon enough which actress lands the lead role.

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