Second ‘Gone Girl’ trailer released: did they turn this into a crime procedural?

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Here are the newly-released (as of this weekend) posters for Gone Girl. I’m also including some new photos of Rosamund Pike at yesterday’s Dior show in Paris. She wore a shapeless dress thing because she’s pregnant with her second child. As for the posters… they’re suitably creepy. I realize that the producers don’t want to give away the twist that comes in the middle of the book, but I am growing increasingly concerned that the movie will turn the book into a weirdly prosaic crime procedural. The second trailer was released yesterday, and… well, let’s discuss it after we’ve all watched it:

There’s some of the same vibe as the first trailer, although this one has more talking. And we’re getting a better idea of how David Fincher handled Amy’s diary. I guess they’re going to use a partial voiceover from Rosamund Pike for the diary, plus the cops will be reading out some parts too. Which is fine. I even think Pike’s voiceover would add an extra dose of creepiness.

Here’s what worries me: Neil Patrick Harris. Much like Rosamund Pike, I thought NPH’s casting was perfection because I assumed NPH’s Desi would be very much like the book version of Desi. But in the trailer… it seems weird. That character seems to be introduced too quickly as a potential villain. Plus, neither of the trailers have shown Andie (Emily Ratakowski). It will be interesting to see if the next trailer(s) give away more of the plot. As for Ben Affleck and his dramatic feels… CB is going to shank me, but I don’t buy him as Nick Dunne, nor do I think Ben is a good enough dramatic actor to pull off this character. Not to mention he looks way too old for Nick. Nick was supposed to be boyishly handsome and in his mid-30s. The Batfleck… not so much.

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Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.

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43 Responses to “Second ‘Gone Girl’ trailer released: did they turn this into a crime procedural?”

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  1. Lizzie says:

    Affleck is perfect for Nick. The age thing doesn’t matter, but he had to have that kind of bro/charming/might be a d-bag but still really hot vibe. Which Affleck has.
    I am so into this trailer and I trust David Fincher. So I’m excited.
    Can’t wait to see the changed ending either!

    • Mmhmm says:

      Agreed. I am sooo excited. I mean, this is bringing me back to Twin Peak days.

    • MrsBPitt says:

      @lizzie…ITA…I think is the perfect mix of charm and douche to play nick! And I don’t think the age thing matters either. I don’t remember it being that big of a deal in the book. I was very curious to see how Fincher was going to handle the diary. I usually love DF’s movies, so I’ll trust that he picked the right actors and will do the book justice!

    • raptor says:

      Yeah, in terms of casting for Gillian Flynn film adaptations, Affleck as Nick Dunne makes way more sense than Charlize Theron as Libby Day.

      • MrsBPitt says:

        Charlize Theron as Libby day is just bad casting. She is totally wrong for that part. And while I don’t think the age thing in gone girl makes any difference, Libby is supposed to be very small (in my mind to make her seem even more of a victim). Charlize is a big, intimidating person. I was thinking the girl from Juno (having a total brain fart and can’t think of her name) would have been a good choice for Libby..

      • Esmom says:

        MrsBPitt, Ellen Page? ITA.

      • raptor says:

        Exactly. Charlize is statuesque, and Libby’s smallness is pretty important to the plot toward the end.

    • Brin says:

      Agreed….can’t wait to see this!!

    • Adrien says:

      The age thing does not bother me at all. Ben gives off a Scott Peterson vibe, it’s creepy.

    • Faye says:

      100% agree. I think erasing the age difference isn’t going to change the story that much. The most important characteristic of Nick should be a sketchy/shady but somehow charming at some times vibe – and Affleck certainly knows how to portray that.

    • MrsBPitt says:

      @Esmom…Yup, Ellen Page….thanks!! I think she would have been a good choice!

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I agree, I like the casting of this film and I am SO excited to see it! I am so happy Fincher is directing.

  2. lisa2 says:

    I’m just reading the book..

    I read a comment on the last thread and someone said that Casey Affleck would have been a better choice for Nick.. I can kind of see it.

    anyway I’m looking forward to the film.. I love David Fincher so he is the reason I’m there and the book is good so far.

  3. TheEntrepreneursWife says:

    I don’t think Affleck is that strong an actor, but his perma-smirk fits well with Nick’s character and his described mannerisms.

    Rosamund Pike is perfection as Amy. Can’t wait to see this.

  4. Abbott says:

    I think Ben will play ‘dirt bag’ well. Hope this will be a break out for Rosamund.

    • Anthea says:

      Rosamund Pike is excellent. I love how much screen presence she has. Apparently she’s great on stage.

  5. maybeiamcrazy says:

    I loved the book but I am happy that the ending is going to be different in the movie. It will be fun watching the characters you know but having no idea how they will end up. I trust Fincher and Batfleck. Affleck wants an Oscar so bad, there is no way he is screwing it up.

    • Tiffany :) says:

      I agree. Knowing they changed it makes it a lot more exciting!

    • Irishae says:

      Though I agree not knowing how they’ve changed the end will be bring some excitement, I’m a little disappointed that we won’t be seeing the book’s ruthless culmination on-screen. IMO, it was the best and most shocking aspect of the story.

  6. Rhiley says:

    The casting in this is all wrong: James Marsden should have been cast as Nick; Charlene Theron should have been cast as Amazing Amy (I know she is filming the other Gillian Flynn book but she (Charlene) is completely wrong for that role); Lea Seydoux as Andie; and as much as I don’t like him and think him a dbag, Toby MacGuire as Desi.

    • TheEntrepreneursWife says:

      Hot dang. You nailed it. All good calls.

    • Naye in VA says:

      James Marsden would have been a PERFECT Nick. His charm sits much closer to the surface than Afflecks does, but he can definitely pull shady too. And that smile hmmmmm

  7. Jenns says:

    I loved this trailer, although it is clear that they are trying to throw off audiences who didn’t read the book. I love David Fincher’s style and I think he is the perfect director for this.

    And I love NPH as Desi. I was excited to see a glimpse of him. I think he’ll be great.

  8. Scarlett says:

    As someone who hasn’t read the book, I feel as if you’re giving some of it away. Or at least just assuming that everyone has read it.

    • TG says:

      I couldn’t finish the book because the characters are so unlikeable. I think I read the first few chapters and that annoying New York “Carry” combining about a nice house in Missouri or whereeve it is they lived just did it for me. If the brat didn’t want to move why didn’t she just stay in her precious New York City. That being said I like reading thencments on here and you guys keep along me think I should give the book another try. I like reading about the excitement from the fans. I know I am weird. Also I adore Rosamund Pike so will want to see the movie because of her.

    • megs283 says:

      then…skip the articles about the book and movie!

    • Kaye says:

      I haven’t read the book either, although I tried twice – just could not get into it.

  9. Wait. What? says:

    Ryan Reynolds would have been waaay better as Nick. He has that smary, wanna punch you in the face, but handsome face. I don’t know if he’d have the acting chops, but when I think of Nick, I think Ryan Reynolds.

    • Faye says:

      I like Affleck for the role but Reynolds also would have been a great choice.

    • Jeanne says:

      Oooh yeah – very good call.

    • Racer says:

      Good call but Reynolds is too generic. They would have to give his look some been-around-the-block edginess and he would need the soul of an actor that didnt remind people of the suburbs and ralph lauren.

  10. Faye says:

    I was concerned after seeing the second trailer. It makes it seem as if it’s going to be a murder/thrill procedural, which, without going into too many details for those who haven’t read the book, is a HUGE departure from the book. In fact, if they go that route, they’ll have changed the premise of the book completely. Hopefully Fincher is too smart for that. I hope this is just a fake-out on their part.

  11. Sarah says:

    This trailer does nothing for me. I don’t get the hype.

  12. Rhiley says:

    I really think the reason Ben Affleck was cast in the role as Desi is he looks like Scott Peterson. When I read the book, I couldn’t help but think of Scott and Lacey. My mind flashed to the Today Show coverage of the case and remembering exactly where I was (in my car, on my way home from work) when he was determined guilty of the murders. It was so easy to hate Scott Peterson that I doubt any of us who remember the media frenzy surrounding the case were surprised by the guilty verdict. Ben Affleck certainly has that look: handsome and confident enough that it is not surprising he would have a sweet, devoted, totally cute wife, but at the same time smarmy and cocky enough to rub people wrong. Remember the defense for Scott Peterson, “He is a cad but he did not murder his wife.” I think this applies to Nick, and Ben Affleck has the look down.

    • beatrix says:

      I can see the parallels! Scott Peterson had that really uncomfortable interview with Barbara Walters where he only made his own situation worse, he was terrible at pretending to care during Lacey’s search party/vigil and was known to smile inappropriately for media photos. I totally see the similarities and agree it only adds to the creepiness factor of this character because he was once a real person.

  13. Sara says:

    I don’t buy Ben as Nick either. He’s too old and definitely not the boyish, handsome all American midwest boy like the Nick in the book.

  14. Ciri says:

    This book has the worst ending ever.

    • Dora says:

      This book does have the worst ending ever but thankfully, Fincher asked the author to rewrite the ending:)

    • Isabelle says:

      The ending was why I really liked the book. It didn’t end as expected and scared the crap out of me. She dared to go there and it was shocking. Fischer not ending it the same will be pulling the good ole normal & average ending to appeal to the masses that want everything to be just right & hollywood. Hope he sticks with the orginal ending.

    • Racer says:

      It was a very realistic ending. My blood pressure jumped and I vowed to never, ever, get married, like ever.

  15. Lena says:

    I LOVE this trailer – can’t wait! David Fincher is the perfect director for this and Ben is the perfect choice to play Nick. He certainly looks boyish enough in the trailer–he looks the same age as Amy. The fact that he was supposed to be younger in the book isn’t really important to the story. I’m curious: Why do you want to see the character of Andie so much? She really wasn’t that integral to the plot, — she was just a “plot point”– and her part probably got whittled down even more than what would usually happen in a book to movie adaptation because she is not a trained actress.

  16. Racer says:

    I’m really sad now. I started reading the book one afternoon and couldnt put it down until the very end around 3am the following morning. Enjoyed it so much my mom is reading it for her book club.

    Sadly, I have no interest in seeing this movie….and I really want to but the thrill and mystery is gone now that I know exactly what its about.