Parade.com
Parade.com

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara steals the movie and is creating some buzz in one of the most highly anticipated flicks of the year.

The 26-year-old star chatted with Parade.com about her Lisbeth Salander transformation, how she was originally turned down for the role, and much more.

Here are some highlights:

On the audition process…
“The casting director was calling girls in to read a poem in a Swedish accent, a poem they thought represented the character. A few days before I was meant to go in, she had called up and said she actually wanted me to read scenes from the film, and that I was going to be the first person to do that. Initially, they didn’t want to see me. They were like ‘We’re not going to bring you in. You’re not right for it.’ Then, all of a sudden, they were like, ‘You’re going to be the first person to read scenes from the film.’”

On getting into character — piercings and all…
“I think me in the movie is different than me outside of the movie. I don’t think most magazine covers would put me in character. That part of society hasn’t changed. I think people will go into the movie sort of repelled by the way that I look. I’ve certainly read enough online about people saying ‘Why did they make her so ugly?’ But I think those same people go into the movie feeling that way and they come out of it thinking she’s quite beautiful. And I think that’s with most people — the more you get to know them, the more beautiful they are. I think that she’s someone you learn to love and appreciate. Looks are sort of secondary to that.”

On filming nude scenes…
“You can’t prepare for it. I did a lot of kickboxing; that made me feel more comfortable taking off my clothes. The character is incredibly comfortable in her sexuality and I had to go in making the film feeling the same way. I’ve been much less exposed in other films and felt much more exploited in those films than I did in this. I think that’s a testament to David and the people he surrounds himself with. I constantly felt safe and protected and comfortable.”

Check out the full interview here:
http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/2011/12/rooney-mara-dragon-tattoo.html