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Rooney Mara Making Edgy Tattoo Transformation

Actress is doing whatever it takes to become Lisbeth Salander—get new details from the set!

By Claudia Rosenbaum Oct 08, 2010 2:54 PMTags
Rooney MaraSplash News

Rooney Mara is quickly proving she is indeed the right girl for the part.

The actress is already submersing herself in the role of tortured, but extremely bright Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

A source close to the production tells E! News that Mara, who was not injured on the film's Swedish set as was rumored last month, has begun to transform into her character by not only cutting her long brown hair super-short and dying it black, but has also gotten a few piercings as well.

What's more, Mara has been doing "hours and hours of Pilates and Bar Method" workouts since Salander is described in the book as looking anorexic.

And, naturally, she's even learning how to ride a motorcycle.

"It is a custom bike built just for the film," says our source, adding that it was custom-made because they could not find one that was detailed in the book.

Mara's rep has not responded to E! News' request for comment.

"She's an incredibly talented actress, who is more than capable of this role," insists the source. "Obviously, she is in the best of hands with [DavidFincher directing her." 

Still, there's one thing we're dying to know: whether or not she'll get a real tattoo.