What Happened to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Sequel?

[@PentexProductions]

If you want to hear my analysis of the movie itself, including some comparisons to the Swedish films, then please consider checking out my Patreon, where there is a full-length 20-minute video essay doing just that: www.patreon.com/pentexproductions Thank you again to the voice cast! Links in the description to their work. @ClearCritique as Scott Rudin / Doug Belgrad @elleliteracy as Elizabeth Cantillon @FilmSpeak as David Fincher / Michael Lynton @hootsyoutube as Rooney Mara @PillarofGarbage as Yellowbird @upinurbiz as Amy Pascal

[@uziceuzice]

Midnight's Edge years ago, by the way, great video.

[@mrmonkeymia]

Finally some real answers. Thankyou for so throughly investigating this! I wonder if Rooney is now aware of everything what went down during those years that she was being gaslit.

[@noahhime9621]

Wasn’t The girl in the spider web the sort of the unofficial sequel or spin-off. Maybe still some hope for sequel.

[@theod9548]

to be honest, I thought the original movie of the first book was better, then I watched the whole swedish trilogy, and it was very good. I love craig and rooney, but the atmosphere wasn't bleak enough.

[@dioncassius4348]

It seems a tv series is on the way.. hopefully we will still get some of that great universe back. I just finished "The Girl Who Takes An Eye of An Eye" by David Lagercrantz which even if it is not as good as the books written by Stieg Larsson I consider it a worthy continuation and a time well spent for me. The base is so strong.. I believe there still is a good public for it.. but the appeal will fade with time.

[@TGFalk]

As a swede who was deeply impressed with the Fincher version, I think dropping the ball on the sequels was one of the biggest missed opportunities in cinema history. Great research work.

[@PentexProductions]

Agreed - the Swedish films showed how well the story works as a full trilogy. Would have loved to see Fincher's full interpretation.

[@MatsVederhus]

Now with the advent of AI, hopefully in the (near?) future we can get to see the next movie. In fact, with today’s tech someone should put Dan and Rooney’s faces on the Swedish versions. It won’t be the same thing, but the next best thing.

[@TGFalk]

@@MatsVederhus jesus, that sounds like a movie only a person with autism would love

[@BluGiant14]

@@TGFalk😂😂😂😂

[@KamikazeChinaman]

@@MatsVederhus Without Fincher's direction, what's the point?

[@specteramber]

I hope Rooney Mara sees this video, or maybe she looked at the leaked emails herself and got her answers. It's quite sweet that she wrote her email with all that formal structuring, when everyone else was emailing back and forth like teens in a whatsapp group chat. The way they referred to the film really makes you realize they see nothing but a product and the numbers attached to it, quite sad

[@celfhelp]

turns out corporatizing art and entertainment was a terrible idea

[@matteo1429]

this is the comment I wanted to write, thanks, you did it way better!

[@SeaDrive300]

@@celfhelp This is why we only get MCU-style mega-movies now. There isn't a limitless amount of money to throw into a production, so the money that *is* available will only be committed to something that will return at least 5X. So a great movie that "only" makes $100 million is considered a failure because it needed to make $500 million. Very sad...

[@paulchavez3039]

Turns out the artists are usually the true professionals and the only ones who actually care about the product. The producers are just children with too much money to know how to use.

[@hollygolightly8048]

Excellent observation and well articulated. There’s also another component to Hollyweird and Weinstein comes to mind…..

[@Oldsmobile69]

This is literally one of my favourite movies ever, so it's kinda cruel we never got sequels.

[@PentexProductions]

At least now we know why not!

[@michaelhawkins7389]

@@PentexProductions I wish Daniel would return if David Fincher wanted to try and do a sequel but I don't that would happen as , the first film came out in 2011 so it's been a few years since , there was The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018) The film is a quasi-reboot featuring a different cast, but still framed as a sequel to Fincher's film. however it isn't a real sequel , as David didn't come back to direct nor the the original cast come back

[@mezzanoon]

If you haven't already, definitely watch the TV run of the original Swedish version, the extra story is oh so satisfying, and it's all high quality

[@SirSugarSkull]

I'd recommend watching the original swedish movies. It's the whole trilogy and we'll made

[@Otokichi786]

I found the Swedish TV "Dragon Tattoo" trilogy, then I saw the Hollywood version. The Swedish TV version is/was better, so I watch that one instead of pondering Hollyweird studio machinations.

[@Prelooker]

I remember watching The Girl in the Spiderweb and feeling like crying over the recast, because Craig and Mara were so perfect for the parts, and they had such a unique chemistry on screen, and the new actors had none.

[@greyLeicester]

It looks bad and it hurts 😮

[@Prelooker]

@@greyLeicester yeah!!

[@elsakristina2689]

I know Claire Foy did her best and that can’t be denied IMO but it was kinda boring to see her with just a plain bowlcut the whole time compared to all the different hairstyles Rooney Mara’s Lisbeth cycled through. IMO Claire’s try at a Swedish accent sounded more like a German accent to my ears. I’ve seen some people complain that Rooney Mara’s Swedish accent sounded obviously faked but when I compare it to what I’ve heard of actual Swedes speaking English it sounds identical to me. Noomi Rapace was perfect as the OG Lisbeth, but for the remake Rooney was absolutely perfect too and she completely brought Lisbeth to life just as much. The part that sticks with me the most is how she constantly has this haunted look in her eyes. But in the end each actress’s take on Lisbeth is unique and good on their own merits.

[@Prelooker]

@@elsakristina2689 You can tell she did her best, but the others just didn't cut it. And people from Sweeden and the Netherlands speak the neatest English in the world. The whole accent thing is just foolish.

[@RB-xj9kr]

@@PrelookerIdiotic, more like.

[@gooderambles]

Dang. You'd think that after Mara got a freaking Oscar nomination for the part that she be given some respect from the producers.

[@PentexProductions]

I know right? She was SO much of this movie's success, and seemed to have been completely second fiddle to Craig and Fincher.

[@gooderambles]

@@PentexProductions Hell, she only lost the Oscar because she was in one of the worst Best Actress match ups ever. She was up against both Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams at the height of their popularity. It was seriously unfair.

[@DaneDavenport]

Unfortunately studios rarely respect awards because internally they believe their awards campaigns are the reason nominations happen. Also Mara's willingness to do the role probably meant negotiations would focus on those less willing to move forward on the project. I may be alone in this but I'm glad she wasn't in the reboot, as it was truly awful.

[@mattstansbeary3068]

Nope all she was was an Actress and Hollywood treats them like crap sometimes.

[@mattstansbeary3068]

Pretty sad. If I'm not mistaken you can still watch the other version of the Movies and even the TV show yes they tried another reason why they said no to Hollywood doing because it Already Faired.

[@amberlopez7477]

Rooney Mara was the reason people went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Lose her, and the sequel films or for that matter reboot films are going to bomb. How could anyone at the studio not realize that?!

[@DuanTorruellas]

Yup

[@lonelysextourist996]

Had you seen the original Swedish movies, all three, (all three) you would completely forget the American movie and Rooney.

[@jallen1227]

You mean the Rooney Mara reboot films as the originals are the Noomi versions ?

[@reikun86]

@@lonelysextourist996Noomi Rapace embodied Lisbeth Salander, but I thought the Fincher version had great cinematography.

[@conniecarroll747]

I had seen the American version first. While I enjoyed it, I kept feeling that I was missing something, but wasn't sure what. I watched it 2 more times. Then I saw the Swedish version and OH Boy! Everything came into place for me. It was that scene where Daniel Craig meets Mara for the first time and tells her what they are going to be doing. I kept saying to myself, ' How in the Hell, did He get there ??'. It didn't make sense. That is a major problem when American studios do versions of foreign films. They either ruin then or produce a lesser quality film. They did it with the wonderful film, 'Let The Right One In'.the American version wasn't as good because they changed both major characters completely. Yes, this is a big major grip of mine. I refuse to read the books before I see the films, another gripe, as I don't want them to ruin it for me. Also, half the time, the book is 90% better than the film. Sorry about the ranting, but this is something I feel very passionate about as you will see, I have made several comments here. I love good movies and good books.

[@benjaminrosa1418]

Would be a full circle if Rooney Mara discovered this video and so she learned why she was never recalled in the sequel she so much wanted to be in.

[@PentexProductions]

I hope she already knows, but if she does find this then she's welcome to reach out to me (and her voice doppelganger in the video!)

[@StoneFlyer1]

I actually had this exact same thought

[@leorivers7759]

She was on the hook 3 years. Cold. Her performance sold a lot of tickets.

[@fvnt0miix953]

I’m sure she has moved on and maybe doesn’t even wanna hear about it anymore. Rooney changed herself completely for the role and her email confirmed that this is a role that really meant a lot to her. It’s really a shame that they didn’t wanna hire her for the reboot because she was perfect as Lisbeth. I guess they assumed the audience would expect to see Daniel back in the role if they hired Rooney again, and maybe those two actors wouldn’t wanna make the movie without Fincher… TGWTDT is one of my favourite movies and books. I think with a R-rated movie, you would expect the box office to not perform as well as a non-R rated movie… Sony probably had those discussions with Fincher, but he (and the actors) insisted on keeping the movie R-rated and true to the books. Anyway, thank you for solving the mystery! I thoroughly enjoyed this video!

[@bwen18]

It is refreshing to see awesome, informative, and ORIGINAL content on YT that isn't a rehash/remix/regurgitation of already existing content.

[@themothermarkos]

Full respect to you for going full Lisbeth Salander in finding this out! This film had a massive impact on me as a teenager and has been an obsession for years since - it's heartbreaking to see how Sony handled this and treated Fincher and how it all boiled down to MONEY.

[@PentexProductions]

It was very fun to combine some Salander-style hacked info with some Blomkvist-style investigative journalism to piece it all together. Very satisfying for this particular project!

[@TMV420]

it always comes down to money, unfortunately. anything involving billion dollar corporations will always boil down to profitablity and money. always.

[@iMaDeMoN2012]

It had nothing to do with money. Sony executives are visionless and think they can hack art. You have to pay for quality and that quality will attract an audience. Sony has bombed numerious movies because of their lack of vision.

[@devak45167]

I loved the original trilogy mostly because Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist were so great, but Fincher’s film was basically flawless. It’s a travesty the sequel hasn’t happened yet

[@endor8witch]

i feel bad for rooney mara. she REALLY wants to do it. even in that email to amy which is basically "at least give me the courtesy to tell me im no longer wanted so i can just know instead of holding hope"

[@PentexProductions]

Yeah those last emails really hit you when you realise she was just left hanging for YEARS

[@Dan_Soundgar]

They need to quit rebooting 90's sitcoms, and blaze their own trail to success. I mean, If they can't find a way to make this franchise financially solvent, what the hell?Rooney Mara gave them a gift. If they can't make this franchise work for the studio I don't believe the studio exec.s are very talented, and are likely to have less and less successful projects in the future, of this instant gratification environment. I'd say we are not going to see any more George Lucus's, look at what he did with what he had.

[@sven_ftw]

"I have very much NOT moved on" - love it. Great video @pentexproductions!

[@franklinnash]

I'm not happy you opened up this old wound, but at least you offered us a band-aid and comforting 'there, there.'

[@PentexProductions]

It's a wound I've had to live with for a long time - so I was glad to be able to finally find some closure!

[@dantheanimator5072]

@@PentexProductionsthat’s like me and The Wire. But this movie and its sequel has been in the back of my mind for a loooong time. Thanks for this great work!

[@MarsMellow84]

Its very disappointing that we'll never get a sequel. But the Swedish version that has the whole trilogy is so good! I loved the Swedish version! Everyone watch them if u haven't already ❤

[@TackJorrance]

I actually like the Swedish version of Dragon Tattoo better than the Fincher version. It's a shame that parts 2 and 3 couldn't quite maintain that quality of the first film, but they were very good as well.

[@rodwhitfield3029]

I LOVED the English language re-make, but I love the Swedish movies even more. Any time you find yourself upset that we never got those sequels (and I certainly am), just go watch the Swedish ones. And read (or re-read) the books. We are lucky to have them.

[@PentexProductions]

Agreed, the Swedish films and books are an acceptable compromise. I just wish we got to see more of what Fincher, Craig and Mara could deliver.

[@sidensvans67]

Definitely agree .

[@wall-e7179]

@@PentexProductions Acceptable compromise? Wow, interesting take If you watch carefully in Fincher's version, no one is cold despite the climate. His remake, set in Sweden, excluded Sweden as a main character, then included product placement and an overpaid actor. It felt rushed as well as a kind of hollow parody... Perhaps a visionary director's interpretation of an American screenplay of an excellent translation meant the authenticity was lost..? I'd politely call the belated remake a compromise, which piggybacked to a just OK box office but clearly wasn't worth a sequel Sweden 1 - America 0 Michael Nyqvist 1 - James Bond 0 I like Daniel Craig. Just not in quasi Swedish films lol

[@jillybe1873]

Yes and yes. The originals are so much better, and the books are vital.

[@jinksomiabodyart3189]

No need to have a 3 part remake. Original is very good.

[@writer6557]

"The Girl who Played with Fire" is my favorite book of the trilogy, and I really wanted to see Fincher's version of it. Thanks for this, it brought some closure to the matter.

[@PentexProductions]

I wanted to see Fincher do the Hornet's Nest courtroom scene like The Social Network.

[@tylersmith9868]

I read 3 books but only remember the first really probably with help from the movie

[@OldProgers]

Thank god we still have the Swedish trilogy, which is (IMO) excellent.

[@banquetoftheleviathan1404]

it's insulting to imply we even need remakes simply because people aren't wiling to read subs

[@bladegirlx]

I agree. It was sufficient and there’s no need for English speaking sequels

[@valeria262]

I think both versions are excellent, I like different things in both of them, if you don't then you don't need to fucking watch it, it's not replacing anything

[@valeria262]

​@banquetoftheleviathan1404 that's the stupidest take I've ever fucking heard

[@diy_mushroomguy]

How could I find the swedish versions? IDC about taking subtitles.

[@jonasness]

It's one of my favorite films. I bought film props of Lisbeth's driver's license, have the soundtrack on heavy rotation, and have visited filming locations in Sollefteå and Björkvik. I wanted a sequel so bad, but you know, this film is so good that it even leaves me satisfied with just one part of the overall story. But yeah, I hear you, I was always hoping for another entry with this amazing cast and production. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@P0rtalChief]

So lucky! I always have wanted to/plan on doing a tour of the key locations from the books and movies. Something about this series really stuck with me over the years.

[@macfonty]

When you showed the first email from Rooney I actually shed a few tears. As an actor I can imagine how she must have felt. I’m heartbroken as a fan we never got them…but God only knows how Rooney felt… This video analysis is amazing by the way! Bravo sir.

[@PentexProductions]

Full credit to @hootsyoutube for voicing her lines so well. It's a hit in the guts when you see how Rooney seems to have been treated. Thanks for watching!

[@deadshotlawton7649]

You'd think we wouldn't be mad about not getting a sequel more then a decade later but here we are.

[@476f7474]

Imagine if Sony had been behind Batman Begins because that relative to its production cost actually did worse than dragon girl. They had their own Dark Knight and Dark Knight Rises ready and waiting for them but they ruined it because they thought that more than 150% profit wasn't good enough for them. Insane!

[@PentexProductions]

I really think if they had pushed on with the sequels then the series would have become as big as they wanted it to be. I think Parts 2+3 as a back-to-back film would have been one of those cases like The Dark Knight where the sequel topped the original.

[@charnlangford4298]

Easily the sequel hype would have been knocking on the half a billion per film

[@itamorikare6675]

@@PentexProductions It absolutely would've, I agree 100% with you! The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo became an instant cult classic. How many people were introduced to the Millennium trilogy by way of the Fincher movie? Even I was, and it became my favorite book series ever. Some of the names attached to the movie were also converging into becoming hugely popular names in media at that time: Daniel Craig and David Fincher, obviously, but also breakout actress and Oscar Nominee (!!!) Rooney Mara, Robin Wright (due to House of Cards)... such a missed opportunity.

[@DaneDavenport]

The movie wasn't a big hit because Sony chose a Christmas Day release for a heavy movie about abuse and violence against women. It it wasn't for Fincher's brilliant marketing campaign it would have been a true flop. But alas studios never take ownership of their mistakes. At least we got one brilliant film.

[@PentexProductions]

The timing was a bit odd - Halloween would have been more suitable but it was already a very tight timeframe for the production and I think they didn't want to delay it. But yes, it's not exactly a family Christmas movie!

[@Nyhde]

Thank you for this! For years, I have been wondering what on Earth happened to the sequels. From an artistic standpoint, making a sequel seems like a no-brainer, but hearing it all laid out like that, it's also blatantly clear why we never got one. It's a shame, but it is what it is. Also, this was a really gripping story! Really enjoyed my time throughout the video, and especially the choice to get voice actors for the email visuals was a solid choice. Now, where was I before I clicked on the thumbnail...?

[@PentexProductions]

Thank you! It was a bit of a labour of love but I'm very happy with the final result. I'd still love to have seen a second movie - I think it could have been one of those sequels that outdid the original, but I can understand not taking that risk. It's such a shame, I adore this movie.

[@TheRyanMackfall]

The worst set of decisions ever. Nothing will top Fincher's efforts. Thanks for putting this together. I finally understand why it sank... such a shame.

[@score0049]

Lisbeth would be proud: estimating the time of the Sony hack with the timing of the sequel production, then putting all the emails found in sequential order to find the truth and document your findings. Very Lisbeth Salander of you indeed. Thank you for finally putting my mind at ease. Rooney Mara deserves better.

[@linewalker4148]

I saw this film last night for the first time and I was very impressed that's why I'm here trying to figure this out 😂

[@pablosonic892]

The fact Fincher had planned on doing the trilogy by doing something really interesting with the opening credits. It shows flashes of scenes that we'll see later in the movie we're watching, like Mission: Impossible does in their IP opening credits over the theme song. But, Fincher did the bold choice of doing something fascinating. He shot quick insert scene shots from what would eventually be the second and third follow up films. Meaning, he had his principal leads film mock quickie scenes for sequels not yet shot. He also showed glimpses of future characters that will come into play later in the follow up movies so had to cast those roles even though they wouldn't be actually going before cameras for at least two to three years whenever the sequels would start principal photography. Imagine being cast for a film franchise, waiting for the first film to get shot, finished in post and then finally released before then waiting for the greenlight on the second film and a start date so you can finally get on set to play the part you've been waiting forever to bring to life. Fincher being the obsessive to detail guy he is, he implied in interviews that the mock scene flashes he shot was to bridge all the proposed three films together as a cohesive whole and show it was all part of a larger, more sprawling greater story. He most certainly would've reshot these moments when the actual scenes in the sequels came to be filmed in the future. And would he have re-edited the first films' credit sequence and swapped out the mock sequel insert scenes with the eventual real shot footage when he finished the shooting the rest of the trilogy a la George Lucas style going back to tinker and 'fix' continuity errors or reinsert originally intended scenes once they had them filmed and in the can. The great unanswered what if in cinema history of a billion other questions we have of sequels never made and an instant classic film franchise left on the table slowly fading out into the mists of time...

[@PentexProductions]

I LOVE the details in the opening sequence. There is SO much in this film that sets up things that were designed to pay off in Fire and Hornet's Nest - it's like a constant reminder even when you watch the film of what we missed out on.

[@EatSleepEmpire]

If you can’t trust a master craftsman like Fincher, you’re not a worth while studio. Props to Fincher for having the guts to stand up to them and for telling them where they can shove it.

[@getyourownshoe]

Thank you so much for this closure. I have wondered this so much over the years. Mara was phenomenal as Lisbet and definitely deserved much better! 🖤

[@PentexProductions]

I'm so glad to have been able to finally get an answer - even if it took WAY too much research to get one!

[@BrendanCescon]

This is VERY interesting. Excellent video.

[@FilmSpeak]

Absolute BANGER of a video man. Honored to be a part of it! Thanks for asking and keep killing it 🤙🏻

[@PentexProductions]

An honour to have YOU be part of it - playing Fincher himself, no less! Always a pleasure working with you man.

[@BobbyMick-c5b]

Master filmmaking. A rare film that can sweep you out of your world & right into another. Cinematography is uniformly spectacular. Every bleak winter scene is strikingly beautiful. Backdrop of frozen Swedish landscape sets tone for entire film. With acting & directing as good as it gets, appreciation grows with repeat viewing. Btw...owning the blu ray version is worth the bucks.

[@SimonBergeron1977]

I remember watching it in theatres, being very impressed by Rooney Mara's performance, wishing we'd get a sequel... By 2015 though, I sort of gave up. Thank you for this video which sheds a LOT more light on why Sony completely blew it and how I think they were one of the worst studios during the 2010's.

[@PentexProductions]

I WISH I had been able to give up in 2015!

[@SimonBergeron1977]

@@PentexProductions Look at it this way: it made for a rare opportunity to explain what truly goes on behind the scenes :)

[@larafreitas5791]

amazingly timed. the reboot was on tv last week and I was dumbfounded because I had never heard about it, even though I love the swedish movies and the craig/mara/fincher version. it's completely insane how they kept mara in the dark for so long

[@mrmonkeymia]

Fincher's TGWTDT is still one of my favourite movies of all time. I've also watched the Rapace originals but there is just something so perfect and special about Rooney's adaptation of Lizbeth. I just loved her so much in it. I could go without Daniel Craig (and his huge $demands) if I had to.... for me the sequels were always at least Rooney and Fincher, or nothing.

[@PentexProductions]

Agree - I think if Fincher and Mara had come back, a sequel could have worked without Blomkvist (though of course the perfect outcome would be the trifecta!)

[@claclarolo1]

they should have just recast him, why write him out? was it to do with contracts i wonder

[@thanksmilla-]

She brings something so special to the character that I find lacking in the Swedish version (gonna assume from the reboot movie too but I refuse to watch on principle). She feels very human, like a real lived-in character, and really showcases the dichotomy of Lisbeth being a very strong, aggressive, powerful person while simultaneously being fragile, small and regularly taken advantage of. Her face was haunted that whole damn movie, and it's a real crime we didn't get to explore more of that with how her backstory plays out in the next two stories.

[@Dumballa]

Job so well done. Like you, I have wanted and wondered what happened. Thank you.

[@jonathanpeterson1984]

This movie absolutely transported me, it was incredible, tense, scary, perfectly paced. When it ended I audibly said out loud, “HOLY SHIT!” I didn’t read the books, so I was totally blind going into it.

[@PentexProductions]

It's a fantastic film.

[@deeobrien5417]

I got heated/frustrated watching this as I loved this adaptation so much so I wrote two comments before this in frustration but amazing detective work by you! Thank you so much ☺️

[@deeobrien5417]

Oh dear I’ve had to edit thar becsuse detective work came out as deceive work and I didn’t notice! That’s exactly the opposite of what this wonderful essay is! Like your detective work is like a public service for film fans 🙏🏻

[@dsd174]

Nice investigative job! Michael Blomkvist would be proud. hahaha! I was obsessed with this movie and the swedish trilogy for a long time and, since then, wanted answers about the sequels. It's a shame the studios, being so "smart", haven't found a way to make them happen. And now, with all the issues concerning the strikes and better payment for the TV and movie workers, I sadly recognize the odds are null for them to happen anytime soon (a hole forever in my heart). On the good side, I'll look for the "extended" swedish series that I wasn't aware of its existence.

[@PentexProductions]

I very much channeled my inner Blomkvist with this one :) Yes, do looks for the extended Swedish versions. They're sometimes called 'extended editions' in English but also sometimes sold as a miniseries. Basically if it's six parts not three then you've found it!

[@cheriremily9360]

I highly recommend the Swedish version. I never gave the English version a try because the Swedish version was so much better. No one played Lizbeth better than Noomi Rapace.

[@ikariiprince]

I did really love this adaptation and would’ve liked to see finchers interpretation of all the books but the Swedish version is beautifully done and completed

[@alexandreleitao5393]

I want to thank you and congratulate you for doing such a phenomenal work in terms of research and editing. I loved "The Girl with the Draghon Tattoo" when it was first released and I have felt as if there was a little ripple in the fabric of space time continuum since then: as if I was living in the alternate reality where the sequels were never produced. But all jokes aside, it was great finally receiving an answer about what happened in the backstage. However, as a Brazilian, I would like to add a quick hypothesis to your brilliant investigation. One question that Sony execs seemed not to consider was "Why on Earth did our movie, based on a bestseller, with Daniel Craig, and directedby Fincher, didn't make the return we were expecting?" Being a Brazilian is important here for my theory to work, because it gives me a perspective that perhaps British or American people wouldn't have. When the Swedish films of the Millenium series were released in Brazilian movie theatres - one year before - they were huge compared to an usual European film premiere here (and just in order to clarify this point: the movies were produced for TV in Sweden, but they were released in Brazilian movie theatres!). I remeber seeing people in lines to watch them based on the fact the books were immensely popular. I will take a wild guess and assume other countries of the global South also represented a considerable part of those films international success. So, when Sony decides to make an American version, I think their calculation was "nobody - or very few people - will actually watch a foreign movie with unknown actors, and with subtitles!" This was the original mistake that doomed "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo": people in countries like Brazil, we are used to watching many foreign films, and films with subtitles. This is not that much of a deal here, as it maybe in a country like the US. So when Fincher's film was released, I remeber it was a hit on its first weekend but - and I may be misrememebering, so forgive me if I make any analytical mistake here - it seemed to fade away quickly, after all, the main target audience (readers of the Millenium series) had already watched the Swedish versions, and weren't interested in watching the same film again (even if with big stars and a great director attached to the project). Sony's mistake, in this case, was deciding to make the film after the Swedish versions. Had they released the film first, I think it could have been one of the highest grossing films of the last 20 years. But as Portuguese speakers say "Inês é morta" (something like "Queen Inês is already dead" - an equivalent of "The ship has sailed"). But thank you whoheartedly for the awesome video! It brought back some fond memories from when I watched this film on Christmas' week 2011, and it even made me want to rewatch it! Great job! (PS: and i have to thank KZbin's algorythm for recommending me your video!)

[@PentexProductions]

Thanks for watching and for the thoughtful comment. I do think Fincher's film's proximity to the Swedish film did confuse audiences and make them see this as 'just a remake.' Which is a shame because it's such a different adaptation, and tells the story in such a different way. I do think it would have done better at the box office if it was the first adaptation, or if the Swedish movies hadn't had a wide international release.

[@birkenwald1337]

That was a video I didn't realise I needed. Thank you! I met Rooney Mara last year when she was filming for a new series for Apple TV (I was an extra) and she was super nice and her acting was just so good. Hopefully the show will hit and Rooney will finally be recognised as a super good actress (which she is) again.

[@PentexProductions]

Awesome to have met Rooney in person, she seems really chill.

[@cherrynoodles5516]

this is so crazy to me. I would’ve thought they’d be eager to keep daniel craig after his popularity increased because him becoming a huge movie star means he now has die hard fans who would be running to the theatre to see anything he was starring in.

[@PentexProductions]

I know right!

[@KravMagoo]

They could have rereleased the first film a couple of months before the second & third ones came out and made out like bandits. These people should become publicly known pariahs.

[@SnackMuay]

Part of me is happy to know that it wasn’t purely a budget issue but also an issue with the scheduling of the immense talent that produced such a stellar first installment. I’m not sure if I would’ve even wanted to see a version without Craig or Fincher. And I DEFINITELY wouldn’t want to see a continuation of the story that didn’t include Mara. These exchanges illuminated for me how tough it must be to be a movie producer. Making pragmatic decisions like writing Blomkvist out of the script and whatnot feel like absolute sacrilege to me, but I know that these types of money-first decisions are necessary to keep the studios in business. I think I’d just be too heartbroken every time I felt that I could be sacrificing some of the artistic potential that a project had.

[@PentexProductions]

Yeah it's hard seeing the business side of things, and you can understand their hesitation over the cost. I kinda think post-Skyfall Craig would have made the sequel more marketable, but that's a hard sell. I do think it's for the best we didn't get an attempt at a sequel without him - Fincher and Mara could have been enough but you really need all three and Zallian writing the screenplay for it to work.

[@boredboard-msk]

Thank you for putting this together. The care is obvious and your passion for the film mirrors my own. TGWPWF and TGWKTHN films with the same cast and production team from the first movie would have been incredible. If we can't have the sequels, at least we can have this comprehensive reason why.

[@PentexProductions]

I'm only just realising now how bonkers the acronym for Hornet's Nest is! Thanks for watching, glad I'm not the only person who wondered about this!

[@LesGrossman69]

I would love to read that original "Played With Fire" script.

[@ClearCritique]

Awesome video! Thanks for letting me voice someone who drops some F-bombs. This movie is one of my favorites from Fincher, and I think it stands up to and may even surpass the original. It's great to see such a detailed discussion into what didn't come to pass, and the sheer amount of confusion and drama that happens behind the scenes of big movies.

[@PentexProductions]

Thank YOU for voicing Scott Rudin so well. You really captured his vibe; it really helped bring the video to life. Crazy to learn about just how much internal politics and personalities matter behind the scenes when things get down to business.

[@anjolielanel990]

I still rewatch this movie over and over. Thank you for bringing closure on this for me as I often wondered what had happened to the sequels. It still sucks that there won’t be any, but at least I know why

[@Spook291]

Don’t forget the film won one Oscar so it’s an Oscar winning film. And Rooney did so well she was nominated for an Oscar for her role.

[@PentexProductions]

It got FIVE nominations and made a profit, albeit not a huge one. Crazy Sony felt it didn't do well. I think a sequel with post-Skyfall Daniel Craig's profile could have been bigger than the first.

[@dashingirishlad]

As a huge Fincher fan, Dragon Tattoo is high on my favourite list. Its my annual Christmas treat and a ritual i wont be getting tired of in the coming years i presume. This video was a great insight to the possible sequels. They're out there by Fincher and cast in another dimension! Thanks for taking the time to put this all together. Great pacing and editing. Bravo!

[@NelsonStJames]

The American version of GwtDT had a excellent cast, and the screenplay adaptation was good. Major points for including a very important scene at the end that the Swedish adaptation for some reason left out, eventhough it glossed over some of the characterization of secondary characters that that first version did very well. I think another reason sequel didn't happen was because the film underperformed, though I don't know what they expected by releasing it at Christmas time. GwtDT was released Dec 21st. This is NOT the type of film people tend to want to go see during that particular holiday! It's like the studios wanted to sabotage this film by giving it the most inappropriate release date ever.

[@davidjames579]

It was deliberately released then as Counter-Programming. Scream was released at Xmas and was a huge hit.

[@PentexProductions]

They advertised it as 'the feel BAD movie of Christmas' which is...a strategy...

[@NelsonStJames]

@@PentexProductions Thet may be, but I think in retrospect it’s pretty obvious it was a bad strategy.

[@NelsonStJames]

@@davidjames579 The tone of a film like Scream is completely different than GwtDT. Plus you have to assume that being an adaptation of a best seller ( That was originally titled “Men Who Hate Women” people knew exactly what the film was about and what they were going to see. This ain’t no family film.

[@davidjames579]

@@NelsonStJames Clearly, but Scream isn't a family film either. The point I was making was that there was precedent for releasing seemingly inappropriate films at Xmas and it paying off as adults in particular are fed up of Xmas joy and tweeness by late December. Prior to Scream's release many thought the studio were nuts for releasing it then. December and Xmas time is also when a lot of prestige films are released, and GW fits that. Tarantino has released a number of his films on Xmas Day. And, being the adaptation of a successful novel, there would be an audience for that over the holidays just as there would be for people getting the book as a Xmas Present and reading it then.

[@BlackieNuff]

The original Millennium trilogy is epic and worth the subtitles.

[@EntaraXia]

Thanks for such an awesome work. The movie was good but couldn't compete with the bond I had on the Swedish version. The fact that it was longer and had sequels certainly helps. Thanks to your video I'm on my way on rewatching all versions possible ( expect the 4th book obviously.) . Thanks a lot for the ride.

[@PentexProductions]

Thank YOU for watching. The Swedish films are great adaptations, and having the complete trilogy adapted in some way is a good thing. They definitely help fill the vid left by the lack of a Fincher trilogy.

[@michael_jolls]

I just stumbled on this video and it's marvelous!!! I was an assistant on "David Fincher: Interviews" and this film was a big deal in late 2011 and early 2012, so this was completely fascinating to hear/see what happened. Thank you so much for putting this together.

[@jakerobbins314]

I’ve thought about this film (as well as a handful of others similarly) and what could’ve been and why oh why did they do this to us for the better part of my life since being in that theater. I truly adore each video you make as a work of love and appreciation for this art form and these deep dives into long harbored questions about such strangely specific subjects just tickle my brain in a way so few can. So thank you, again, for your dutiful service.

[@PentexProductions]

This kind of comment makes my day :) Thanks for watching - I'm so glad people other than me are also interested by this sort of stuff.

[@WhereIsCynthia]

@pentexproductions Thank you for making this!!! I have been insanely curious why no sequel came out and you explained why from so many different angles. Super satisfying and I'm so glad your channel came up in my feed 🤩

[@RyanChapmanFilm]

Thank you so much for this closure! I love this film, I hope they release it on 4K soon. A sequel would’ve been amazing, and I do think it would’ve done better at the box office

[@PentexProductions]

You're welcome! I agree that a sequel with post-Skyfall Daniel Craig could have done very well, but I guess it was too much of a risk for Sony.

[@oktfg]

Moral of this story is actors emotionally invest in projects, while it’s just biz to execs. I can understand why Fincher wouldn’t compromise his position after his treatment earlier in his career filming Alien 3. First film didn’t perform as expected. The cost of Fincher’s back to back sequels - and the amount of control he probably demanded, probably contributed to Sony’s decision to tie up the new book with fresh faces putting Sony in control

[@KayButtonJay]

How is Amy Pascal’s email writing so laughably bad?

[@Reamer]

Sony was a hot mess during this time period. After seeing the emails from Rooney, it breaks my heart that she never got a chance to play Lisbeth again. Appreciate this video so much!

[@thanksmilla-]

honestly, I thought I was the only one who sat around lamenting over the loss of the sequels. The 2011 film tbh feels like a fever dream, perfectly written, cast, directed and edited, and generally no one ever really mentions it, so sometimes I forget that it's not just a figment of my imagination lmao. I love this movie DEARLY and rewatch it constantly, and to have at least sequels with the same cast, director and writer would have made me happier than I can put in words. Still, like you, I never really had anywhere to put those desperate daydreams because we were strung along for so many years, no one ever just coming out and saying definitively 'it's done'. After the 4th movie "sequel", I accepted that GWTDT was a flash of brilliance, but it's never really going to be repeated or approached ever again. It really is too bad, Rooney's performance and her dedication to the character alone make me wish I could have spent hours more with her on this project, but alas, wasn't meant to be. I think I've finally moved to the stage of acceptance in my grief over the loss of this movie's potential lmao no longer crying that it's over, but smiling because it happened. and we'll always have the dvd commentary. shoutout to the digital team for that part in Rooney's bangs, y'all were the real ones. And thank you for this video, it was such a treat to hear from someone else who was so obviously attached to this film bring us some closure. I think I'll have to subscribe to patreon just for the video essay on Rooney, I could listen to people praise her performance till my dying day (not even joking I have "Lisbeth" tattooed on my arm because of her lmao). You're a gem.

[@PentexProductions]

Thanks so much! Definitely check out the Patreon (the same video is available a KZbin Member only one on my channel if that's easier for you) if you're a fan. This was an absolute passion project, driven by my decades old love for this film. A Lisbeth tattoo is next level commitment, I admire you!

[@aquariosoul]

Never saw the English version, just loved (in awe of) the Swedish one

[@GarrettLoganGriffin]

I do my best to watch international cinema and find different iterations of the same story. However, this movie was my introduction to this story. I thought it was fantastic, and it inspired me to see the Noomi Rapace trilogy and seek out the books. I definitely thought we’d be getting two more films and I could not wait. Obviously never happened. I appreciate the research and explanation. At least we’ve got the books and Swedish sequels. Good stuff, my friend.

[@kawfeebassie]

I watched the whole trilogy starring Noomi Rapace and they were amazing. I like the Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara version too, but hardly feel like I missed out. Naomi Rapace was fabulous :)

[@linushell4726]

I have to say that, having read the books. The Swedish trilogy (the mini series) are pretty much page for page adaptations. So I didn’t really feel the need for a English version. But loving Fincher, it would have been interesting to see his take on them.

[@PentexProductions]

I agree the Swedish films are excellent adaptations. What I like about Fincher's version is that he brought something ore to the story, and told it in a different way. I'd have loved to see his take on the full trilogy.

[@nyanko2077]

This movie is very special in my mind. I come back to it from time to time. It's sad Mara didn't get to be in a sequel. Such a brilliant interpretation she gave. It deserved more.

[@g.mitchell7110]

Fortunately, the Swedish originals are all really good, as is the TV series, which has added material.

[@PentexProductions]

Agreed, it's a very acceptable alternative to not having the Fincher sequels.

[@jonathancollard3710]

Brilliant books and movie… I recently rewatched GWDT; think I’ll just re-read the books 😵‍💫

[@banhbaothit1629]

Rooney Mara is such a genuine person. Love her

[@mountain_toast]

I was obsessed with the books and when I found that Fincher would direct a movie series, I was so excited. I'm bummed nothing came of the second and third in the series. Thanks for this well-researched video.

[@Lionclaw]

Excellent work, man. This is one of the great unmade sequels. I'd given up finding out what actually happened for years out of frustration and because I suspected it involved studio executives making poor decisions. I did not consider how big a factor SKYFALL's success ended up being. Fascinating stuff. In the end, if Fincher, Mara, Craig and Fincher's crew weren't all involved, I'm glad it never happened.

[@PentexProductions]

Thanks! I agree - I only really wanted a sequel with those three creative leads (and possibly Zallian as screenwriter too). I think the trifecta is what makes the original so special, and it would have been great to have them all return, rather than trying to make something with only one or two of them. So perhaps it's for the best, but it's a shame we never got to see the full trilogy.

[@itamorikare6675]

Thank you so much for putting this video together! I am absolutely in the same boat as you, the unmade sequels to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo have been forever on my mind, as Stieg Larsson's original story is one of my favorite pieces of fiction ever, alongside David Fincher's movie. I'm really greatful for all your hard work in bringing us closure regarding this. Watching your video was so incredibly cathartic, I wouldn't never expected that. That email from Rooney was heartbreaking and I'm sure most of us, fans of the Millennium trilogy, can relate to her experience.

[@SaberRexZealot]

I adore this film. It’s incredibly harrowing and beautiful all at once. There hasn’t really been anything quite like it since, not even from Fincher. Lisbeth is such a fantastic character. I should probably read the books

[@PentexProductions]

You won't regret reading the books - at least the first three by Larsson. Check out the Swedish films too while you're at it.

[@d3rrick10493]

What he said, the Swedish films are actually quite good. I watched them all in like.. a weekend and didn't regret it. Noomi Rapace is great as Lisbeth.

[@CinHotlanta]

The Swedish trilogy is great, but the Fincher adaptation is absolutely mesmerizing

[@abnormaniac]

I am traumatized by not having sequels to this movie. Whenever I realize it I become angry. I think this anger is never going to leave me. Thanks for the video.❤

[@PentexProductions]

Welcome to the club! It's what drove me to look into it so deeply. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@julianray]

I cannot imagine just how much work you have put into this exploration. All I can say is thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

[@devradenny8354]

Heartbreaking. Rooney IS Lisbeth. 😒

[@Dan_Soundgar]

Yeah I miss her so bad, I've shed a tear for her.

[@ThatMissQuin]

Thanks for this video. I am still bitter that there were no Fincher sequels. Watching the film with his commentary track continues to be one of my favorites and I watch it every couple of years.

[@SeanNoonan]

Thanks for the closure.

[@KelliRocks]

There was already a Dragon Trilogy with Noomi Rapace. It's originally in Swedish, but the actors also recorded an English dub.

[@gammakap]

Yeah, we know. That’s not the question. Thanks 👋🏾😵‍💫

[@PentexProductions]

Yep, that's addressed in the video. They're great adaptations of the book. The Fincher version was also meant to be a trilogy, but it never got past movie one.

[@KelliRocks]

@@PentexProductions I was looking forward to an Americanized trilogy and always wondered why they stopped. Thanks for bringing it home with this video!

[@sixty8haze]

Really appreciate the time and effort to put this together for those of us who care.

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Seriously though, could we please get a breakdown of GWDT? Please. Also a Layer Cake video would be immensely appreciated as well.

[@PentexProductions]

Check the very end of the video - I have made a full length 20 minute GWDT breakdown, but it's a Patreon exclusive (but the good news is tiers are very cheap!) www.patreon.com/pentexproductions I'm sure a Layer Cake video will happen eventually - I LOVE that movie!

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

@@PentexProductions you son of a bitch, I'm in.

[@Calin_Sanchez]

This is one of my all time favorite movies and also wondered why a sequel was never made. This video helps a lot.

[@PentexProductions]

Glad to have helped :)

[@phiakate]

We don’t need a sequel Rapace did a fantastic job with the original.

[@mintdragon9548]

Agree. Even when watching the Rooney/Craig version, I constantly found myself comparing the movie vs. the Rapace version (and preferred the latter, tbh). Both were good interpretations, but something was just visceral in the first version.

[@alechall7082]

Why did Sony cut the budget of the second movie?! That was the nail in the coffin right off the bat.

[@rossrreyes]

Absolutely everyone, except for Rooney, wanted more. Sony wanted more by spending less, Craig wanted more cash, Fincher wanted more control. More, killed the franchise….. Rooney is better off without those leaches

[@YumanoidPontifex]

even the great fincher with a hollywood budget couldn't top the swedish/danish original adaptation. that's probably why no sequels have happened.

[@ashleyjohnson1129]

I'm less surprised at the fact that Hollywood movers seem to interact like beligerent children after seeing that they write that way too.

[@PentexProductions]

The spelling in those email s was painful to transcribe at times...

[@lous111]

Gotta say, I would have rather seen two more Daniel Craig movies in this series than more Bond films with Craig after Skyfall.

[@DerekGreen123]

Somewhat interesting that this was (at least) the second time this happened to a 'book > movie' trilogy involving Daniel Craig. The first time being 4 years previously, with 2007's 'The Golden Compass' (The first book in Phillip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy). There are some theories that the negative attitudes towards organized religions in the HDM books, led to the sequels never getting made, but also it's financial performance likely played a big part! I'm sure other actors have a similar statistic, but this one sprang to my mind!

[@PentexProductions]

Interesting! You could also count the Tintin movie as a book to film adaptation he was in that, like this one, was a very high quality movie that failed to make enough to justify a sequel. Maybe film-makers should resist casting Daniel Craig in this boo adaptations (Bond excluded, of course!)

[@JeremiahTownsend]

Thank you for doing this. I loved the book, and both the Yellowbird and Sony versions. Appreciate the closure you’ve given us fans.

[@crayzmarc]

The Claire Foy soft reboot was awful!

[@ThatJediReviews]

Until this comment, I had completely forgotten that movie came out. I watched it in theatres and I don't remember a goddamn thing

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

@@ThatJediReviewsGood?

[@ThatJediReviews]

@@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive no, it's so forgettable and boring

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

@@ThatJediReviews No, you misunderstood me which is understandable because I typed one word which was vague. Let me rephrase that: “Is it good to forget such a trash flick? Or bad because of concerning memory issues?”

[@ThatJediReviews]

@@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive oh man, good question. Idk how to answer that before going into a psychotic break

[@benjaminjo]

The real nail in the coffin was the FIRST reason - it was only a MODEST box office success. It covered expenses plus some profit, but for what it was, it should have been at least 2X it's box office returns for them to greenlight going forward with the following two sequels. Also have to factor in book rights (the expense of owning it and paying out royalties), and it's surprising to me they considered sequels even with half it's budget. Usually, with each subseqent film, you go UP in budget, not DOWN. All the other reasons were just additional nails in the coffin, but the #1 factor was the 1st movies box office returns. Not "good". Not "bad". Lukewarm. Too much risk.

[@FreddyMacT]

listen man, if you ever actually read the novels... you'll know that the trilogy only gets worse and worse as it goes on. The only good, relatively grounded novel of the Millennium series, is the first one. The subsequent novels are so stupid, and fall so away from the intrigue and noir of the first. There's no reason to have another movie from this catalogue, in the end these are just Scandinavian noire movies and you can just do another without involving these characters.

[@PentexProductions]

I see what you mean, but I enjoy the second two books as well. GWDT is a crime/murder mystery but books 2 and 3 are more espionage thrillers. They do have lots of unnecessary side-plots that I think could be taken out to streamline the story, but I enjoy the full story. Each to their own of course, if they're not to your taste then that's cool.

[@FreddyMacT]

@@PentexProductions the subsequent books are about Lisbeth Slander being part of a Jason Bourne type spy ring within her family. It would be like going from Casino Royale to Die Another Day in the span of 1 movie. It's just purely bad writing. The intrigue of that character is that you don't know much about her... but actually revealing her backstory and it being so dumb, kills any intrigue in the character.

[@OK-hl6qd]

you're correct

[@SchulzEricT]

... have you not read them?

[@FreddyMacT]

@@SchulzEricT have the trilogy, her sister is an assassin/crime boss, her dad is a soviet KGB psychopath... the books fall off a massive cliff after the first one. End of.

[@devanshsinghal94]

This is one of if not the most comprehensive and fulfilling video breakdowns I have ever watched, especially in the movie business space. Thank you, PentexProductions, for this video. Though my urge to unravel the precise reasons was not as passionate as yours, this video provided a sense of catharsis on something I didn't know I needed. Props to your painstaking elucidation.

[@eaglpaul1]

This movie deserved so much better than Sony, these days whenever I hear that Sony is involved in the production of a movie I immediately don't hold out much hope for it being very good. It seems like just about everything they touch now turns to garbage.

[@shallowhound2751]

Fincher’s TGWTDT has such a special place in my heart and so seeing a video about why the sequels never happened is so weirdly validating to all the questions I have about why it never went through. Thank you for diving through all the emails and sources, I can’t imagine how hard it was to hunt the old news article links down. I think I have an answer regarding the emails talking about how Fincher had quote on quote ‘gave TGWTDT terrible marketing’. That was because it had an Alternate Reality Game as part of its marketing, and not everyone likes to partake in them. The ARG was based around the framed pressed flowers Henrick gets each year as demonstrated at the start of the film. I don’t know how successful or how many people participated in the ARG, so I can’t say how popular the engagement was when the ARG was running. I haven’t even seen anyone in the ARG sphere on KZbin talk about it, but I feel the need to point it out because it is something that is kinda overlooked when talking about Fincher’s TGWTDT. So yeah that’s why sony execs are saying TGWTDT had terrible marketing, which feels disingenuous because the people behind that ARG are the same company that did the Dark Knight ARG and Halo’s I Love Bees ARG. they were both quite successful and had many people engaging with the developing stories the ARGs were trying to tell. Obviously the ARG doesn’t have a big marketing impact but that alone isn’t to blame, because in December 2012 there is so much competition at the box office too, especially at Christmas time. It does suck that Sony didn’t like the returns on investment but at least it MADE MONEY, but again corporate greed gets in the way of creative freedom… (plus the whole skyfall/spectre thing, although Craig has said many times that he doesn’t like playing bond, and clearly he prefers roles that aren’t like bond.) EDIT: hearing Mara’s emails is really sad, she deserves closure for a role she REALLY cares about. Executives made the mistake not keeping her in the loop, they didn’t have to go public about it, they could just tell her and keep her in the loop but they didn’t :(

[@YannDyangu]

I just re-watched TGWDT yesterday and I was wondering why we never got a sequel. Then I find this video. Thank you for the amazing research.

[@StimParavane]

I never read the book and never saw it in the cinema but it's become one of my favourite films of all time. Such great performances across the board.