Newcomer Rooney Mara is set to star as Lisbeth Salander in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” the adaptation of the best-selling book by Stieg Larsson. The film is being directed by David Fincher.
Mara will star opposite Daniel Craig. Fincher considered a wide range of actresses for the role of Salander, including Scarlet Scarlett Johansson, Ellen Page and Mia Wasikowska. Rooney Mara is a relative newcomer, her biggest role coming in the Nightmare on Elm Street remake. She was also cast by Fincher in his upcoming movie about the founding of Facebook, “The Social Network.” The ‘Dragon Tattoo’ role was one of the most coveted in Hollywood in recent years, as Salander is one of the more compelling female characters to come along in ages. The character, tattooed and pierced, is a smart hacker who goes from being a victim to warrior.
Shooting for the movie begins next month in Sweden and is due to hit theaters on December 21, 2011. Rooney will also play the character in the two sequels.