Sony Pictures confirmed yesterday that it is moving forward with the new adaptationThe Girl in the Spider’s Web, a novel byDavid Lagercrantzwhich continues the iconic Millennium Trilogy centering onLisbeth Salander, written by the lateStieg Larsson. The studio has set an July 11, 2025 release date for the adaptation, with production set to begin this September under the direction ofFede Alvarez. The production is currently looking for the right actress to play Lisbeth Salander. Now, a report has surfaced that two A-list actresses are already in the running,Scarlett JohanssonandNatalie Portman.
Variety’s studio insiders claim that bothScarlett JohanssonandNatalie Portmanare currently in the mix, as directorFede Alvarezstarts meeting with prospective talent. Ironically,Scarlett Johanssonwas also up for the Lisbeth Salander role for Sony’s English-language reboot ofThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which ultimately went toRooney Mara, and landed her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.Scarlett Johanssonwas said to have tried out for the role largely becauseDavid Fincherwas involved, but now that he isn’t directing this project, it isn’t clear if her interest is as high this time around.
Fede Alvarezcame aboard to direct in November 2016, with the studio ultimately deciding to skip over authorStieg Larsson’s remaining two novels,The Girl Who Played with FireandThe Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, instead opting to adapt the 2015 novelThe Girl In the Spider’s Web. The story centers on journalist Mikael Blomkvist, played byDaniel Craigin 2011’sThe Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, who, late one night, receives a phone call from a source claiming to have information vital to the United States. The source has been in contact with a young female superhacker, a hacker resembling someone Blomkvist knows all too well.
The implications are staggering.Blomkvist, in desperate need of a scoop for Millennium, turns to Salander for help. She, as usual, has her own agenda. The secret they are both chasing is at the center of a tangled web of spies, cybercriminals, and governments around the world, and someone is prepared to kill to protect it.Fede Alvarezis set to direct the project from a screenplay he is co-writing withSteven KnightandJay Basu.Scott Rudin,Soren Staermose,Ole Sondberg,Amy Pascal,Elizabeth Cantillon,Eli Bush, andBerna Levinwill produce the adaptation, withAnni Faurbye Fernandez,Line Winther Skyum Funch,Johannes JensenandDavid Fincherset to executive produce. As of now,The Girl in the Spider’s Webadaptation will go up against Warner Bros.‘Aquamanwhen it hits theaters on August 19, 2025.
Scarlett Johanssonwill next be seen in Paramount’sGhost in the Shell, in theaters March 31, and in Sony’s R-rated comedyRough Night, which hits theaters June 16. She will also return as Black Widow inAvengers: Infinity War, which is currently in production and set for release on August 01, 2025.Natalie Portmanis coming off her Oscar-nominated portrayal inJackie, and she will next be seen inTerrence Malick’s indie ensembleSong to Song, in theaters March 17. We also reported yesterday that she is teaming up with directorRidley Scottfor the Getty kidnapping dramaAll the Money in the World. Hopefully we’ll ahve more onThe Girl in the Spider’s Webin the near future.
