<P> Zaillian discussed many of the themes in Larsson's Millennium series with Fincher, taking the pair deeper into the novel's darker subjects, such as the psychological dissimilarities between rapists and murderers . Fincher was familiar with the concept, from projects such as Seven (1995) and Zodiac (2007). Zaillian commented, "A rapist, or at least our rapist, is about exercising his power over somebody . A serial killer is about destruction; they get off on destroying something . It's not about having power over something, it's about eliminating it . What thrills them is slightly different ." The duo wanted to expose the novels' pivotal themes, particularly misogyny . "We were committed to the tack that this is a movie about violence against women about specific kinds of degradation, and you can't shy away from that . But at the same time you have to walk a razor thin line so that the audience can viscerally feel the need for revenge but also see the power of the ideas being expressed ." Instead of the typical three - act structure, they reluctantly chose a five - act structure, which Fincher pointed out is "very similar to a lot of TV cop dramas ." </P> <P> Fincher and Zaillian's central objective was to maintain the novel's setting . To portray Larsson's vision of Sweden, and the interaction of light on its landscape, Fincher cooperated with an artistic team that included cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth and production designer Donald Graham Burt . The film was wholly shot using Red Digital Cinema Camera Company's RED MX digital camera, chosen to help evoke Larsson's tone . The idea, according to Cronenweth, was to employ unorthodox light sources and maintain a realistic perspective . "So there may be shadows, there may be flaws, but it's reality . You allow silhouettes and darkness, but at the same time we also wanted shots to counter that, so it would not all be one continuous dramatic image ." Sweden's climate was a crucial element in enhancing the mood . Cronenweth commented, "It's always an element in the background and it was very important that you feel it as an audience member . The winter becomes like a silent character in the film giving everything a low, cool - colored light that is super soft and non-direct ." To get acquainted with Swedish culture, Burt set out on a month - long expedition across the country . He said of the process, "It takes time to start really taking in the nuances of a culture, to start seeing the themes that recur in the architecture, the landscape, the layouts of the cities and the habits of the people . I felt I had to really integrate myself into this world to develop a true sense of place for the film . It was not just about understanding the physicality of the locations, but the metaphysics of them, and how the way people live comes out through design ." </P> <P> Principal photography began in Stockholm, Sweden in September 2010 . Production mostly took place at multiple locations in the city's central business district, including at the Stockholm Court House . One challenge was realizing the Vanger estate . They picked an eighteenth - century French architecture mansion Hofsta located approximately 60 miles (97 km) southwest of Stockholm . Filmmakers wanted to use a typical "manor from Småland" that was solemn, formal, and "very Old Money". "The Swedish are very good at the modern and the minimal but they also have these wonderful country homes that can be juxtaposed against the modern city--yet both speak to money ." Principal photography relocated in October to Uppsala . On Queen Street, the facade of the area was renovated to mimic the Hotel Alder, after an old photograph of a building obtained by Fincher . From December onward, production moved to Zurich, Switzerland, where locations were established at Dolder Grand Hotel and the Zurich Airport . Because of the "beautiful" environment of the city, Fincher found it difficult to film in the area . Principal photography concluded in Oslo, Norway, where production took place at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen . Recorded for over fifteen hours, twelve extras were sought for background roles . Filming also took place in the United Kingdom and the United States . </P> <P> In one sequence the character Martin Vanger plays the song "Orinoco Flow" by Enya before beginning his torture of Mikael Blomkvist . David Fincher, the director, said that he believed that Martin "doesn't like to kill, he doesn't like to hear the screams, without hearing his favorite music" so therefore the character should play a song during the scene . Daniel Craig, the actor who played Blomkvist, selected "Orinoco Flow" on his iPod as a candidate song . Fincher said "And we all almost pissed ourselves, we were laughing so hard . No, actually, it's worse than that . He said,' Orinoco Flow!' Everybody looked at each other, like, what is he talking about? And he said,' You know, "Sail away, sail away ..."' And I thought, this guy is going to make Blomkvist as metro as we need ." </P>

Where was the girl with the dragon tattoo filmed