Sony Pictures has announced that Rooney Mara has been cast as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Mara joins Daniel Craig, who will play journalist Mikael Blomkvist, in director David Fincher's adaptation of Stieg Larsson's best-selling novel.

Robin Wright Penn is also in talks to join the cast as crusading magazine publisher Erika Berger.

A number of Hollywood actresses were previously rumoured for the part of Salander, including Ellen Page, Natalie Portman, and Emma Watson. Relative unknowns Emily Browning, Sophie Lowe, and Sarah Snook were also reported to be in the running.

Mara has appeared in Youth In Revolt, A Nightmare On Elm Street and will next be seen in Fincher's The Social Network.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is scheduled to open December 21, 2011.