Columbia gets film rights to Larsson books

[April 20, 2010]  STOCKHOLM (AP) -- A Swedish film production company says Columbia Pictures has bought the English-language movie rights to the popular Millennium trilogy by late crime novelist Stieg Larsson.

More than 12 million copies of Larsson's trilogy, which starts with "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," have been sold globally.

Yellow Bird AB, which made Swedish-language movies based on the books, said Wednesday filming for the Hollywood versions is expected to start next year.

Yellow Bird CEO Mikael Wallen said they will be produced by Scott Rudin, whose credits include the Academy Award-winning "No Country for Old Men."

Wallen said scriptwriter Steve Zaillian will adapt the books for the big screen. He said a director hasn't been picked yet.

[Associated Press]

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