Though MGM and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli must be less than pleased that production on Bond 23 has been delayed, star Daniel Craig is loving the free time – because he’s picking up work like he’s the last leading man in the business.
After starring in Jon Favreau’s Cowboys and Aliens, the British actor may work with David Fincher on the highly anticipated English language version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, the first film in a planned trilogy based on Stieg Larsson’s worlwide, best-selling literary franchise. The Wrap reports that Craig is nearing a deal to play the journalist who is looking for the missing woman. Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Kristen Stewart have expressed interest in taking on the coveted starring role in the mystery flick that revolves around the long-unsolved disappearance of an heiress.
Columbia Pictures, who will produce and distribute the film, claims not to have offered the role to anyone just yet, but given Craig’s relationship with the studio that co-distributes the Bond film, it makes perfect sense that they’d want to keep him on the lot while the MGM mess is worked out. Having not read the books, but hearing about their quality second hand, it sounds like this could be a very interesting project given the talent that’s eyeing it. Craig is a tremendous performer, Fincher a master storyteller and with a capable female lead, I smell a hit.
