Fincher Sacrificing “Pawn” for “Dragon Tattoo”

David Fincher has forgone his Bobby Fischer project to tackle an an English-language remake of the hit Swedish thriller "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

According to recent reports, Fincher had decided to direct "Pawn Sacrifice," with Tobey Maguire as the mercurial chess champ Fischer, but as of yesterday, he had turned his attentions to an Americanization of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," reported The Playlist.

A film about Bobby Fischer is no doubt intriguing. In addition to be the greatest chess player of his generation and a pawn in a Cold War proxy fight, the man was at various times a self-exiled ex-pat, a virulent anti-Semite, a recluse and an all-around loon.

But Fincher taking on "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" is a near-perfect fit. As much as we liked "Dragon Tattoo," there was a lot of filler in that sandwich, and the tension could have been turned way up at times. The story at the heart of the film is not unlike the one that Fincher told so well in "Zodiac."

Carey Mulligan has been mentioned for the title role, and she could be great in the role. That said, depending on how true to the original Fincher wants to remain, Mulligan's handlers would probably have a heart attack at the thought of some of the scenes she'd be playing.

And this doesn't necessarily mean that "Pawn Sacrifice" won't happen, it just means we may have to wait a little longer.

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