Pro:  David Fincher has been on an Academy roll with nominations for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Social Network."  With producer Scott Rudin and screenwriter Steve Zaillian also on board (see "Moneyball"), many hope the missteps of the novel and popular Swedish movie adaptations are avoided this time around.  The thriller isn't being framed primarily as an Oscar player, but if it happens naturally no one will be complaining.

Con: The original source material is ripe with pulp clichés. Can the prestige trio really overcome those problems in this new version without alienating its literary fan base?  We'll see.