‘Dragon Tattoo’ Tops Among Risky Films

NU Online News Service, Feb. 13, 3:17 p.m. EST

International filming locations, motorcycle riding by its Oscar-nominated actress, and physical scenes made “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” the riskiest film for Fireman's Fund to insure in 2011.

The movie dons the riskiest-film title even after some stunts needed to be toned down or scrapped due to insurance concerns.

“There was a lot of riding,” says Wendy Diaz, entertainment underwriting director at Fireman's Fund. “We knew that early on, and the actress was not a rider.” 

Rooney Mara, nominated for an Oscar in the lead actress category, was not an experienced motorcycle rider before filming. According to interviews with the movie's director, Mara trained for months on a motorcycle but it wasn't enough to keep some risky scenes—included in the best-selling book from which the film is based—in the film.

Diaz says any decisions to adjust or throw out stunt plans are made mutually. The insurer ofHollywoodmovies for the last 85 years does not tell movie-makers they can't do anything, but it does lay out the consequences.

“There is a lot of money to lose,” Diaz says. “This is a trilogy. You don't want to stand in the way of artistic vision, but everyone has to be comfortable with what is going on.”

The movie was also shot in Sweden and Switzerland, creating another realm of risk for equipment, set and cast transportation as well as the risk of illness in a foreign location.

Production delays if a cast member can't work could cost millions of dollars, Diaz says.

That's where the experience of Fireman's Fund comes in handy. The company insurers 80 percent ofU.S.films and its credibility as experienced underwriters is respected in the industry, says Diaz.

The insurer visit sets each month to stay up-to-date and maintain its relationships, she adds. Many clients have been with the company for years.

“They know we are working with the best interest of the client in mind,” Diaz says.

Other popular films of 2011 insured by Fireman's Fund include:

• J.Edgar.
• The Rum Diary.
• Tower Heist.
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.
• Hugo.
• The Artist.
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1.

Last year's most-risky movie title went to “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie. The distinction in past years has gone to “The Wrestler,” “Into the Wild,” “Crazy Heart” and “Inglorious Basterds.”