'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' sequel still in the works

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Sony Pictures says it has begun developing the sequel to its English-language version of the Swedish phenomenon "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

The movie was based on the first in the late author Steig Larsson's trilogy of crime novels, which also includes "The Girl Who Played With Fire" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest." All three blockbuster books were previously adapted as Swedish-language films.

David Fincher's critically acclaimed, English-language version, starring Rooney Mara as heroine Lisbeth Salander, is in theaters now.

EW.com said some film-industry watchers have been speculating about whether Sony would make a sequel based on "Fire" since "Dragon Tattoo" has made only about $60 million at the U.S. box office since its Dec. 20 release.

But Sony is laying the rumors to rest.

"['Dragon Tattoo'] continues to do strong business and nothing has changed with respect to development of the next book," a studio representative told EW.com.

The entertainment news Web site said the sequel is expected to again star Mara when it hits theaters in late 2013.

Fincher has not yet decided whether he will return as director, the report said.