In 2000, David Fincher, known for directing classic thrillers like “Fight Club,” “The Game,” and “Se7en,” had an interesting pitch meeting with Warner Bros. regarding their “Harry Potter” adaptations. Despite his reputation for darker, edgier films, Warner Bros. was looking for a cleaner, more traditional adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s beloved series.
At the time, Fincher had just finished adapting Chuck Palahniuk’s “Fight Club,” a project that aligned more closely with his sensibilities. He went on to adapt popular novels like “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” and “Gone Girl,” not because of their built-in audience, but because of the intriguing subject matter.
For Fincher, it’s not about the darkness of the subject matter or the target audience, but rather the story itself. He looks for stories that resonate with him and that he can envision bringing to life in a compelling way.
Looking ahead, Fincher is attached to an English-language adaptation of Netflix’s “Squid Game” and a miniseries prequel to “Chinatown.” Both projects are better suited to Fincher’s style than the “Harry Potter” adaptation that never came to be.
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