According to Screencrave, new pictures from W Magazine show Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander from the American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The pictures of Mara in tattered tights, black makeup, and avant-garde fashion stand up to the striking look originated by Scandinavian actress and original Lisbeth, Noomi Rapace. From the pictures, we can see that film’s tone will lean toward the dark, edgy, and the twisted. The pictures also show that the film might be a substantial and compatible counterpart to the Swedish original, which was nominated and won many international awards.

Mara is also on the cover of the magazine; the issue, called the “Movie Issue”, highlights what 2011 has to offer in terms of cinematic enjoyment and artistry.

The film, also starring Stellan Skarsgard, Daniel Craig, Robin Wright, Max von Sydow, Christopher Plummer, Steven Berkoff, David Dencik, Joely Richardson, and Alexandra Daddario, tells the story of a middle-aged journalist (Craig) who teams up with Lisbeth Salander, a private investigator, to help close a cold missing persons case that has been open for several decades.

The film, based on the popular thriller book series by Stieg Larsson, is directed by David Fincher and is expected to be in theaters December 21, 2011.