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Rooney Mara, the girl with the shamrock tattoo

Unknown to star in Stieg Larsson thrillers

By
APRIL DREW,
Irish Voice Reporter

Published Thursday, August 26, 2010, 12:44 PM
Updated Thursday, August 26, 2010, 12:44 PM

 

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Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara was a relatively unknown actress on Monday morning,, but that all changed in the afternoon with the news that she’s landed the oh-so coveted lead role of Lisbeth Salander in the upcoming film adaptation of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", the wildly successful first novel from the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson.

Rooney’s Irish resume is pretty substantial.  Her grandfather is Timothy Rooney, the proprietor of Yonkers Raceway in New York and the 2005 grand marshal of the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Timothy’s daughter, Kathleen, is Rooney’s mom.

Patricia Rooney Mara, her real name, is also the grand-niece of Daniel Rooney, currently the U.S. ambassador to Ireland and founder of the global Ireland Funds which have raised millions and millions for Irish charitable causes. And her sister is Kate Mara, an actress who’s appeared in the TV series "24" and "Nip/Tuck".

The Rooney family, of course, founded the Pittsburgh Steelers football team, and their Irish roots run deep.  They trace their ancestry to Co. Down, and family members regularly visit the homeland.

Rooney’s football lineage continues on the Mara side as well. Her dad is Chris Mara, whose grandfather, Tim, founded the New York Giants.  The legendary late Giants leader Wellington Mara is her grandfather, so it’s assured that as far as football and acting royalty combined, Rooney’s got that niche all sewn up.

Mara, 25, was up against the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman and every other twenty-something A-lister who wanted the part of Lisbeth, but the director David Fincher wanted to go with a newcomer and tapped Rooney, who he’s worked with in the past.  Nightmare on Elm Street was her previous role of note, but if all goes well her dream of Hollywood stardom is only beginning.

Daniel Craig, best known as Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond replacement, will also star, and the highly-anticipated film, the first of three in Larsson’s blockbuster series, already has a release date, December 11 of next year.

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6 Comments

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Posted by Kevin325 on Aug 20, 2010, 12:13 PM EDT
Kate Mara is hot.
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Posted by ganjadec on Aug 19, 2010, 12:29 AM EDT
Personally, I am surprised that Noomi Rapace wasn't given the chance. She almost certainly speaks English better than most Americans. I also hope the film is made in Sweden, close to it's roots. Somehow, filming it in Malibu just won't give it the old world feel it needs.
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Posted by Liamkeyes on Aug 18, 2010, 08:06 PM EDT
No Problem, she's all set.
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Posted by willieboy on Aug 18, 2010, 07:47 PM EDT
I own the Swedeish/Danish release of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo on DVD. It's in english and at 2hrs. 32 Mins suprisingly true to the book. I doubt another version can portray Lisbeth as well as Noomi Rapace.
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Posted by rhunter67 on Aug 18, 2010, 01:30 PM EDT
She sports the names of two of American sports' most prestigious families: The Rooney family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Mara family owns the New York Giants. Corny I know, but whatever.
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Posted by Siobhan39 on Aug 18, 2010, 10:16 AM EDT
I'm a third of the way into the book right now. And I am finding it hard going. But I am continuing because of all the pro-comments the book has generated. I know I have something good in front of me. Good luck, Rooney. You will make your career on this part.
 


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