Photo: WENN.com

Rooney Mara has said that The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo audiences will grow to love her Lisbeth Salander character.

Mara plays the role made famous by Noomi Rapace in David Fincher's remake of the Swedish thriller.

She told Parade: "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."

She continued: "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."

Mara has to perform naked in many scenes, as well as one where she is raped, and she admitted that it was hard feeling comfortable in such vulnerable situations.

She added: "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."

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is released on December 26.

Dragon Tattoo...