Fede Alvarez has signed on to direct the next installment of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo franchise.
David Fincher directed the first movie in 2011, but he is not returning for The Girl in the Spider’s Web. Oscar-nominated writer Steven Knight has penned the script for the movie, which is set to hit theaters in October (18). David Fincher will stay on the project as an executive producer, while Scott Rudin will produce.
Rooney Mara starred as Lisbeth Salander, but she will not reprise her role. Movie bosses were reportedly considering Alicia Vikander for the part, but they are now launching a “global search” for a new lead actress.
“I’m hugely excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Alvarez says. “Sony (movie studio) has become family to me and I can’t think of a more thrilling project to celebrate our relationship. Lisbeth 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.”
Principal photography on the project will begin in September (17).
The Girl in the Spider’s Web, the fourth book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series, was completed by David Lagercrantz following the Swedish author’s death in 2004.
The original Swedish adaptation of Larsson’s 2005 book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, featured Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist, who also teamed up in the original two sequels, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest.
Daniel Craig took over Nyqvist’s role in the Hollywood remake, but he will not return to the part in the new movie.
