Thumbs up for trailer of US Girl With Dragon Tattoo

The film may not be out until Christmas, but the internet is already buzzing after the trailer for the American adaptation of Stieg Larsson's best-selling novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was unveiled.

Directed by David Fincher, first impressions suggest this is going to be a much darker and edgier take on the book than the 2009 Swedish film. That version, a relative box-office success at the time, now looks destined to be overshadowed by the forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster.

When news of a US remake was first announced, most sneered at what they called the 'Americanisation' of a perfectly decent European film. But Fincher, whose previous work includes The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, is not one to shy away from a challenge, nor is he likely to disappoint.

Craig brings James-Bond glamour to the role of left-wing investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, while Rooney Mara (The Social Network) will take over from Noomi Rapace as the gothic and abused Lisbeth Salander. The film feels, from the snatches we are given, slicker and much more dramatic, while still relying on the same imposing wintry Swedish landscapes audiences have seen before.

Of course this is only a trailer, and trailers can be deceptive. Over the weekend an uncut 'red-band' version was leaked on the internet, including footage of Larsson's brutal sex and torture scenes. These do not appear in the official trailer, but give a good idea of just how far Fincher is likely to push some of the book's more controversial elements. ·