Hollywood Popular Artists

Jan 31st 2013, 17:30

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" could very well get a sequel after all — it just might happen without Daniel Craig.

A new report published by The Hollywood Reporter examines exactly where the "Dragon Tattoo" sequel, "The Girl Who Played with Fire," stands. According to the article, it appears that Craig is the hold-up due to "Skyfall"-fueled salary demands. But since the character he plays, crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist, has a reduced role in the second Stieg Larsson novel the movie is based on, it's reported that Sony might move forward with a sequel without Craig or Blomkvist in tow.

Yeah, I know. I completely agree: it makes no frickin' sense.

"Dragon Tattoo" wasn't a box-office powerhouse like some expected it would be; costs must go down to make any kind of sequel profitable. But you can't cut one of the two central characters to save some cash. Blomkvist isn't in "Fire" as much as punk-rock hacker Lisbeth Salander is — that book is very much her story at its core — but he plays a crucial supporting role, one that couldn't be excised without drastic changes to the story.

And it's not just "Fire" that would be affected by getting rid of Blomkvist. The third and final "Girl" book features Craig's character very prominently, and a much smaller role for Salander, based on how and where her character lands at the end of book two. If Blomkvist is removed from the second "Girl" film, Sony would have to completely overhaul movie number three.

So, my advice: either meet Craig's demands (or make him happy in another way) and find a different way to pinch some pennies … or just call it, guys. "Dragon Tattoo" was wonderful, but it can stand alone. An unfinished trilogy is always a sad prospect, but I'll take that over the complete misfire Sony is supposedly mulling over any day of the week.

Would you watch a "Dragon Tattoo" sequel without Craig? Let us know in the comments section below or hit us up on Twitter!

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