Steve Zaillian Currently Writing The Girl Who Played With Fire But Will It Be Next For Fincher?

Deadline reports that Steve Zaillian (Schindler's List, Gangs of New York) is currently writing the script for the second film in the Millennium trilogy for director David Fincher. Zaillian is an accomplished writer who is also currently working on The Red Riding Trilogy remakes and the new gangster flick The Irishman for Martin Scorsese.

This gives the impression production could be moving quickly on the second installment. There had been talk that the final two films in the trilogy The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest would be shot back to back. It would make sense to shoot the two films at once to save money on production costs along with being able to keep the in-demand Daniel Craig in the lead role.

The same story brings up a new project for Fincher which has Sony looking to him to direct their new Cleopatra film which has Angelina Jolie attached in the lead. It's unlikely as it could end up conflicting with Disney's 20, 000 Leagues Under The Sea: Captain Nemo which Fincher has been involved with for a while now.

Fincher is in a unique position where he can make a passion project over a commercial studio project like Captain Nemo or Cleopatra. I wouldn't rule out Fincher moving forward with Fire and Hornet's Nest before jumping into these effects heavy and time consuming blockbusters. As the turn around time for post-production on the Millennium films would be minimal as everything is in camera and special effects would be limited.

Dreamworks Remaking Timecrimes Steve Zallian Hired, David Cronenberg Directing?

Deadline reports that Dreamworks has acquired the rights to the Spanish time traveling thriller Timecrimes. The studio has hired Steven Zallian (Schindler's List) to work on the remake's script. Zallian recently worked on David Fincher's version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and is also writing Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. While I enjoyed the original film it was missing something that could be improved upon in a remake. There had been talk from the original director Nacho Vigalondo that David Cronenberg was is in the running to direct the English remake.

De Niro Confirms Pesci & Pacino For Scorsese's The Irishman

Robert De Niro while speaking with MTV confirms that Joe Pesci and Al Pacino have roles in The Irishman. The mob film which will be directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Steve Zallian (American Gangster, Gangs of New York) is quickly becoming one of my most anticipated films in development. I think this very well might be the epic teaming of Pacino and De Niro we've all been waiting for.

Robert also reveals Eric Roth (Benjamin Button) wrote a script that involves flashbacks and could be considered for a sequel/prequel in the future.

Martin Scorsese's The Irishman Next, Steve Zallian Handling Script

DigitalSpy (via ThePlaylist) reports on some new quotes from Martin Scorsese on one of his many gestating projects The Irishman. He reveals the film is currently in the financing stage and could shoot as early as next year. The film is based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt which focuses on WWII vet/union official turned mob hitman Frank 'The Irishman' Sheeran. Robert De Niro is attached to the role of Frank and Joe Pesci will also have a role in the project. It would be the first time the three have worked together since Casino.

Martin also confirms that Steve Zallian will be working on the script. Zallian has written scripts for films like Schindler's List, American Gangster, Gangs of New York and David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo remake. 

While I've been dying to see the much talked about prequel and sequel to the Departed, The Irishman sounds just as thrilling if not more. I'm not sure what this means for the planned roles for both De Niro and Pesci in David O'Russell's Drake's Fortune which will star Mark Wahlberg. I expect The Irishman could end up starting production in late summer or early fall giving the actors enough time to do both films.