Who Should Be 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'?

By Jo Piazza Posted Apr 10th 2010 01:00PM

Noomi Rapace, Kristen Stewart, Carey Mulligan

Not since Kristen Stewart was tapped to play Bella Swan have bibliophiles expressed so much interest in which actress will play a beloved book heroine on the big screen as they have in the incarnation of Lisbeth Salander in an American version of the Swedish bestseller 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.' (Swedish actress Noomi Rapace won rave reviews playing Lisbeth in the foreign version.) Director David Fincher ('Se7en' ... Gwyneth Paltrow's head in a box ... gahhhh!) has reportedly signed on to Americanize the flick, which means that casting wars are about to ensue.

HollwoodLife.com reported this week that that Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan and Bella Swan herself, Kristen Stewart, are vying for the role of the pouty, foul-mouthed bisexual hacker, who is often mistaken for a 14-year old girl.

All three are solid options, but are they the right one? Let's explore the merits of our possible Lisbeths.

Noomi Rapace -- Despite the reception the actress has received in the foreign language version of the movie (released in the States last month), American audiences are fickle with foreign crossovers. This book trilogy could turn into an action franchise that could be the next 'Bourne,' so you can bet studios will want an actress who can drive box office sales. "Personally, I wouldn't want to see Rapace play the same role again, as good as she was. But for those who haven't seen the original, it could work. Again, the material and the director will carry this dark, incredibly grim film into the marketplace. There are no strong young American actresses that are good enough, and also have a big enough name, to make a difference. The obstacle to Rapace being cast for American audiences, of course, is her accent. So no, I don't think she's the answer," says Jay Fernandez, Senior Film Editor for The Hollywood Reporter.

Kristen Stewart -- Salander is frequently described by the men who dislike her as a sourpuss, and if there is anything K-Stew can do well, it's wear a puss-face. Audiences who know her only as Bella Swan may find the transition to bisexual ass-kicker a tad difficult, but Stewart already proved she can go dark, stormy and bisexual in 'The Runaways.' "I've heard Kristen Stewart's name bandied about, and having seen her in 'Welcome to the Rileys,' where she plays a sex worker, I think she may be able to pull it off," Fernandez says. "But really, what young American actresses are there that can embody that kind of damaged, rage-filled, clever and indomitable role? None."

Carey Mulligan -- Academy Award nominee Mulligan certainly proved her acting chops in 'Bad Education.' And even though she played a naive high school girl seduced by an older man, we think there's an edge beneath those pretty bangs. Plus, as gorgeous as she is, Mulligan could easily be mistaken for a 14-year old, as Salander is in the book.

Olivia Wilde -- Wilde's name hasn't been officially thrown into contention for the role yet, but we've been thinking for some time now that she could just be the next Angelina Jolie-type lady action hero and this would be a good place for her to start.

"There is something about Olivia Wilde's perfectly pale skin begging to be covered in crazy tattoos that immediately made me picture her as Salander when I was reading the book. Sure, she would need to wear flats the whole movie and the hair would need to be chopped and darkened with a hint of red, and sure, we want Salander to be a little grungy with a hint of 'Run Lola Run' grittiness to her, but if you are going to watch someone on the big screen for two hours, let's face it, you kinda want her to be strikingly beautiful underneath it all," says style and beauty expert Jenn Falik.

Mila Kunis -- OK, so maybe Mila is a little bit of a dark horse, but she looks good dirty, as we saw when she played opposite Denzel in 'The Book of Eli,' and we think she could also play scary. "She's likable and a kick-ass," says Sarah Ivens, founding editor of OK! magazine and author of 'No Regrets: 101 Fabulous Things to Do Before You're Too Old, Married or Pregnant.' While likability may seem anti-Salander, it does score points with audiences, particularly those who haven't read the book.

Megan Fox -- Screen siren Megan Fox seems the obvious commercial choice here, but given her track record for creating box office splashes that are critical failures, it's unlikely Fincher will go with her. She could work if they opt to make Salander a mute.

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Tags: Carey Mulligan, kristen stewart, megan fox, mila kunis, noomi rapace, olivia wilde, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Comments

(32)

Saturday 10 April

By Rakathor

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They should see if they could use Noomi Rapace again, and if they can't, there should be no movie, there's only one Lisbeth Salander, and that Noomi, plus, the movie will probably be Hollywoodised/americanised, and that will ruin the hole concept of the Milinium trilogy by the late author, Stieg Larsson, may he rest in peace

By alk

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the sexiest and more beautiful woman in Hollywood is definitely Elizabeth Berkley and even if yuo don't recall her right now, if you see her picture you will agree with me, forget even Charlize or Liv Tayler

By Dragon Fan

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Of the girls mentioned, I love the idea of Carey Mulligan or Mila Kunis. I think either of them would do good, but I hope the director is embracing the idea of doing an open casting for this role. As the author pointed out, there are no actresses in Hollywood right now that are strong enough to bring the talent and the audiences both to this film. As a result, they should do it right and look HARD for a young actress that has the chops for this role. I think Olivia Wilde is too worldly and overtly sexual looking for the role and Kirsten Stewart does not have the range for this role. Yeah, she is a natural with the "sour puss" roles, but that because it's not a stretch. That seems to be her in real life.

By Stanly O

Ellen Page should do this!

By Petamike

Anyone who has seen her in both "Hard Candy" and "Juno" knows she would be perfect. Still not sure why we have to remake it; "Amalie" did well over here, and Audrey Tatou made the movie sparkle.

By Jenn

Um, Carey Mulligan was in "An Education," not "Bad Education."

By cp8967

OMG NOT Megan Fox!!!!!!!!!

By Sharon

Katherine Moennig should play Salander.

By sdehue

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Megan Fox?!? I thought the script was about a bisexual, not a transsexual.

That chick is a man, baby.

By FBooth

Rapace, definitely! While K Stewart would be awesome (along w/ Mulligan & some of the others you named), you just can't improve on Rapace. And what makes you think the people who saw the Swedish version will waste their time seeing the American version with a substitute? So give those 1st time viewers the treat of seeing the best! All the hype about the movie right now will probably go a long way in promoting the American remake. Too bad not everyone will see the original.........

By elin

WHY would they make this movie again when it's already in theaters NOW? How ridiculous! If they want the film to get around then put it in more theaters. It makes no sense to remake something that's current, even if it isn't American. It isn't an American book either.

By mary hatley

Do NOT Americanize/ remake the movie! Just show the original and enjoy it!

Most American remakes are a disaster: Vanishing (ohmygodhowbadcanitget); The Eye; Wings; 3 Men and a Baby; Cousin, Cousinne; and on and on. A really good film will stand on its own, reflecting cultural values and a viewpoint that can broaden American audiences' experience and encourage looking at the world through different eyes.

By carol martin

I could not have said this better. Bravo. Americanization of this brilliant Swedish trilogy would be a disaster. The Bourne identity? Megan Fox? OMG. Lisbeth Salander is not a fashion statement. Read the books!!!

By arzbest

Kristen Stewart would be a good choice. But, I think if Kristen Bell darkened her hair, she'd be a contender! Intelligence, looks, likeability, and attitude. What more could a director want!? Now, I've got to go and finish the book....

Sunday 11 April

By RT

Likability has nothing--NOTHING, to do with the part in Dragon Tattoo. Attitude, sex and more attitude does.

By Liz Keller

I think Kristen Stewart would be great for the part.

By foldmobile

How about Pauley Perez?

By Celia

ELLEN PAGE or Mila Kunis would be perfect for the role!

By stephend

You're all wrong. First of all, the foreign version that is playing right now, is bloody brilliant. The BEST PICTURE i have seen in years. Don't screw it up by making an "American version"...but if you do, go all the way and cast Johnny Weir as the bisexual heroine. Now that would shake things up!!!

By WhieLady

A totally out-of-the-box suggestion that I 100% agree with! Even though I love the books and I haven't yet seen the original movies (will do though) I think he could totally pull it off.

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