Gone Girl is one of the most highly anticipated films of 2014.  It’s a film that a lot of critics have already predicted will be an Oscar contender.  However, I have to admit that I’m a bit worried about it.

You have to understand: I loved Gillian Flynn’s novel.  When I first heard that Rosamund Pike was playing the role of Amy, I was happy because, to me, it seemed like perfect casting.  Rosamund Pike has been one of my favorite actresses ever since I first saw An Education and, depending on whether the film’s Amy is anything like the book’s Amy, this seems like it could be the role of a lifetime for her.  However, I have to say that I was less enthusiastic about the news that Ben Affleck would be playing Nick Dunne.  But then I heard that Neil Patrick Harris had been cast in the film as well and, knowing what I did about the role he would be playing, I was again intrigued.  And then Tyler Perry was cast and I was worried again.

And then there was David Fincher.

David Fincher is an undeniably talented director but his last film, the rehash of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, felt like Fincher on auto pilot.  I found myself wondering if he would take a similar approach to Gone Girl, giving us a lot of recognizable style with little going on beneath the surface.

The first official trailer for Gone Girl was released earlier today and, having watched it, I still don’t know what to think.  Particularly when compared to the trailer for Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, the Gone Girl trailer has an almost mellow feel to it.  If nothing else, I hope this means that Gone Girl was made by the thoughtful artist behind Zodiac as opposed to the hyper stylist behind Dragon Tattoo.

We’ll find out for sure in October.