re: the girl with the dragon tattoo sequel...the girl who played with fire...

Rooney's my best friend, and I've asked her about it. Even she is in the dark. Problems with a script, Fincher signing on, schedules, studio approval, etc. She wants to do it, but I'm not sure she's completely "in" if Fincher doesn't direct. She pulled out of another movie when they changed the director, and she worked on "Her" mainly because she had the chance to work with Spike Jonze. I just get the feeling from her that the sequel will be locked up within the next 6 months or not at all. Not her exact words, but just the sense I get.

that's a pretty big M/TV board bomb.

Yeah, I met her when she was just a kid in high school. A buddy of mine from way back lives in New York and was friends with Kate. Kate brought her little sister Patricia to lunch one day (not going by Rooney then) and we just hit it off. Shy, sweet kid then, and she hasn't changed all that much. Still pretty shy.

Sorry, I know Kate, but not well. I talk to her maybe once or twice a year, but only if she happens to answer Rooney's phone.