Is Rosamund Pike Your 'Gone Girl' Star?

Perhaps one of the more highly anticipated book-to-movie projects is David Fincher's adaptation of Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn's can't-put-it down thriller full of literary twists and turns that seem nearly impossible to adapt for a movie. Still, the biggest unknown has been who would play the lead Amy, a beautiful WASP who mysteriously goes missing.

Perhaps one of the most highly anticipated book-to-movie projects currently in development is David Fincher's adaptation of Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn's can't-put-it down thriller full of literary twists and turns that will prove quite a challenge to put on film. But perhaps the toughest task at the moment is finding the right actress to play Amy, the novel's titular character, a beautiful WASPy wife who mysteriously goes missing.

Now, The Hollywood Reporter's Tatiana Siegel is reporting that Rosamund Pike, the lovely British actress most recently seen in Jack Reacher, is the frontrunner for the role. Amy is a distinctly tricky part—though, explaining exactly why would be a spoiler—one that requires both beauty and nimble acting range. Pike certainly has the gorgeousness down, and we believe in her talent, despite the fact that she's mostly been relegated to supporting parts like Jane Bennet to Kiera Knightley's Elizabeth in Pride & Prejudice or mostly useless arm candy in junk like Wrath of the Titans. Pike's radiant, regal Britishness, reflected in films like An Education, might be an impediment, but it could also help inform Amy's highbrow coldness.

This rumor would seem to indicate that, with Ben Affleck safely on board to play Amy's husband Nick, Fincher and company may not feel they need a huge name to play Amy. Early on, Reese Witherspoon's name was dropped in connection with the role, mostly because she's a producer on the film, though that seems to have been ruled out at this point. Siegel also put the kibosh on talks of Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, and Charlize Theron, the latter of whom would be in our minds perfect for the part.

Still, we're intrigued by this Pike possibility, and feel confident that Flynn is capably handling the task of adapting, with an insider telling Siegel that Flynn and Fincher have "found a great rhythm together." This could be something really great, if Hollywood doesn't screw it up.

Update: Variety also puts Abbie Cornish, Olivia Wilde and Julianne Hough in the running.