Mulligan not THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO after all?

Page? Stewart? Portman? Fincher still not sure on the title role for his upcoming remake...

By Robert Beames / June 25, 2011

It seems that the earlier reports linking Carey Mulligan with the title role in David Finchers upcoming Girl with the Dragon Tattoo remake seem to have been premature, with Deadline now reporting that the studio isnt sure the property needs a name actress. In fact, Fincher himself is said to be pondering whether a star would make sense, with an inside source quoted as saying:

David's process is very specific and private. He's looking for authenticity and a degree of fierceness and believeability capable of delivering the intensity that the part on the page calls for.

Even if Fincher and his producer, Scott Rudin, do opt for a proven actress, there is now talk that Mulligan is just one of a great number of people linked with the role. Juno and Whip It star Ellen Page is understood to be another option, whilst Kristen Stewart, Mia Wasikowska(Alice in Wonderland), Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway, and Scarlett Johannsen are all being strongly linked with at least an interest in the project. Of the above, Natalie Portman certainly has the required spark and toughness for the role (if you imagine her in full on Leon or V For Vendetta mode), whilst at the other extreme, Keira Knightley would seem like a frankly ridiculous choice. Wasikowska and Hathaway who (although decent actresses) are possibly rather too pretty for the role as the computer-hacker/punk Lisbeth, whilst Johannsen showed in Iron Man 2,earlier this month, that she can certainly handle herself in a fight (at least onscreen). Page, on the other hand, would perhaps make Lisbeth seem more like a kooky social misfit, rather than a mysterious and enigmatic presence and Stewart maybe an inappropriate choice for the role, as her brooding Twilight fan base may not want to pay to see her on the receiving end of the books notoriously brutal sexual violence. Apparently a big male lead is sought for the part of the older journalist character, with Brad Pitt linked to the role. However, this is all speculation at this stage, of course! Who do you think should play Lisbeth from the above choices (or maybe you have an interesting wildcard from outside the pack)? As always, Obsessed With Film would love to know in the comments section below.