Penn is set to take on the role of Erika Berger. Berger is the sexy, mature publishing partner of Blomkvist. She's also something of friend with a benefits, you might say. Her role expands a little bit in the second film, so this is quite a coup for Penn.
Skarsgard's part appears to be that of Martin Vanger, one of the primary culprits at the center of the kidnapping plot. In discussing the idea of signing on, Skarsgard had this to say...
"I have met David Fincher, I want to work with him, he wants to work me. I have had a concrete offer and now we are in negotiations. The contract is for the period September to March, but I don't know yet when I am supposed to start my part of the film. Most of it is to be shot in Stockholm, but some studio work will be done in the U.S. I think there might be some location work there as well, when it becomes too dark to shoot here."
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is scheduled for release on December 12th, 2011.
