Daniel Craig Won’t Be Cut From ‘Dragon Tattoo’ Sequel, Says Co-Star Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara has spoken out over recent reports that Daniel Craig could be written out of the upcoming The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo sequel.

Mara, who co-starred in the David Fincher directed film in 2011, starred as computer hacker Lisbeth Salander opposite Craig who played investigative journalist Mikael Blomqvist.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Twentieth Century Fox were looking to cut sequel costs in light of the modest $232,617, 430 million made by the first film.

A sequel based on Stieg Larsson’s second novel, The Girl Who Played With Fire, had been slated for release this year.

But, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the sequel’s progress has come to a standstill for two reasons — a delay while the script was being finished, and an impasse while Craig negotiated for a pay raise — due to his increased market value post Skyfall.

Mara, however, insists, all is well. Speaking to MTV, the actress said:

“I’ve been talking a lot with [David Fincher] about the sequel, and I don’t know where that rumor was started — but it would never be a possibility. He wouldn’t be written out.”

Meanwhile, Fincher is hard at work adapting the novel Gone Girl for the big screen and has not yet been confirmed to direct The Girl Who Played with Fire.

Opening up about her thoughts on that subject, Mara said:

“I would hope that he would [direct the sequel],” adding, “but no matter what, he’ll [Fincher] definitely have some sort of involvement.”

Did you watch the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? Would you be interested in a sequel that didn’t feature Fincher or Daniel Craig?