In news worthy of the cover of Millennium magazine, Daniel Craig has officially closed his deal to play journalist Mikael Blomkvist in David Fincher's English-language adaptation of Stieg Larsson's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," an individual familiar with the negotiations has confirmed to The Wrap.
The deal with Sony Pictures includes options for the best-selling book's two successful sequels, "The Girl Who Played With Fire" and "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest."
Oscar winner Steve Zaillian ("Schindler's List") adapted the first novel.
TheWrap first broke the news of Craig's casting back on June 3.
Craig is currently filming DreamWorks' "Cowboys and Aliens," and he'll segue to the "Dragon Tattoo" shoot in Sweden as soon as Jon Favreau wraps that film this fall.
There was a question of whether Craig would be available to film "Dragon" due to his commitment to the next James Bond film, but that project remains at a standstill thanks to MGM's uncertain financial situation.
Craig also has an option to star in a "Cowboys and Aliens" sequel, and judging from the reaction to the footage screened at Comic-Con, that is a very strong possibility.
Sony, Fincher and producer Scott Rudin continue to cast the coveted role of Lisbeth Salander. "Inception" architect Ellen Page and "Alice in Wonderland" star Mia Wasikowska are the two best-known actresses, while Emily Browning, Sophie Lowe, Sara Snook and Lea Seydoux are also in contention along with Rooney Mara, who co-stars in Fincher's highly-anticipated "The Social Network."
Sony will release "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" on December 21, 2011.
