Music Box to open 'Tattoo' in U.S.

Film unit picks up U.S. rights to thriller

By LEO BARRACLOUGH

LONDON -- Music Box Films has picked up U.S. rights to Swedish hit thriller "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," which has grossed almost $100 million internationally and has still to open in Germany.

The $13 million pic, the first in the "Millennium" trilogy based on Stieg Larsson's international bestsellers, is slated for U.S. release early next year. It has been sold to 30 territories.

Niels Arden Oplev helmed the pic, which stars Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace. It is produced by Yellow Bird, which also co-produces the "Wallander" TV miniseries, starring Kenneth Branagh.

The next pic in the trilogy, "The Girl Who Played With Fire," has already taken $16 million from four foreign markets.

The third film, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," is in post-production and will be released this year.

Yellow Bird is part of Zodiak Entertainment, which is handling international rights to the "Millennium" trilogy.