Over the last several years Sony has played things safe. Rarely venturing outside the box, the studio has not been known for making risky moves, especially when it comes to green lighting feature projects. So when The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo opened to less than stellar numbers the future seemed unclear for the highly popular Millennium trilogy. But not so much anymore.
It appears that even though the series finished in a distance third over its opening weekend, far behind M:I4 and Sherlock 2, the sequel is still on schedule to start shooting during the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013. And while the film's box-office numbers come with plenty of reason (a tense rape scene left many Christmas audiences looking elsewhere), the immediately pick-up is still quite a surprise.
"It was too cocky of us," a Sony studio exec admits when asked about the untimely Christmas release. "We might think about [that release date] next time."
Not only has the film been performing below industry expectations overseas, but the highly budgeted film will be working hard to recoup its high budget and extreme marketing costs. Right now Sony is expecting it to finish north of $200 million - or $300 million globally. For most films that is great. But there were high expectations for this film, and Sony looks to have over-estimated its power - especially considering that they changed the book's ending.
Which brings up another concern. Lisbeth Salander isn't in the follow-up too much. But not to worry, Sony has already made plans to change that, placing her front and center for Played With Fire. Could this turn off book fans? Looks like we'll find out sometime in 2013.
As of right now David Fincher is not attached to direct the project. He hasn't turned down the option, he just isn't confirmed either. Both Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara are signed on for two sequels, so they will be back. I know I'm ready to go!!
