'Unknown' actress lands 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' lead

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Unknown actress Rooney Mara has won the coveted role of Lisbeth Salander in the Hollywood remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Mara will play the investigator with the troubled past in the second film adaptation of Stieg Larsson's best-selling book series, reports BBC News.

The role, in which Mara will star opposite Daniel Craig, has been cast after a long drawn-out audition process in which five unknown actresses competed for the part.

Other names in the frame for the role included Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Carey Mulligan.

Mara's biggest role to date was a part in the remake of A Nightmare On Elm Street plus a role on TV's ER. She also has a role in the upcoming film about Facebook, The Social Network.

The American remake – the film has been made in Swedish already – will be directed by David Fincher, with a script by writer Steve Zaillian.

It is due for release in December 2011.

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