After months of rumours and speculation about which actress will play the title character, also known as Lisbeth Salander, in the Hollywood remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the role has finally been assigned to a relatively unknown American actress called Rooney Mara. Reportedly, Mara beat out a number of more established actresses for the part, including Scarlet Johansson, Ellen Page, Natalie Portman, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Watson.

Mara will co-star alongside James Bond thespian Daniel Craig in the film and most likely in two sequels, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest. The rising star can next be seen in the film called The Social Network, about the founders of Facebook, along with new Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo begins shooting next month in Sweden and is scheduled to be released in December of 2011.

Congratulations to Rooney for seizing one of the most sought after jobs in Hollywood!

When Emma Watson shockingly revealed her new shorter-than-short haircut a few days ago by posting a photo of her trimmed locks on Facebook (pictured left), the implication of the message included along with the head shot was that Watson got the cut to get real… not to get a job. For instance, on her Facebook page, the Harry Potter star wrote: “Cut my hair off a few days ago … Feels incredible. I love it. I’ve wanted to do this for years and years; it’s the most liberating thing ever. Hope you like.”

However, sources are now reporting that in addition to (or instead of) “liberating” the British actress, the hair hacking was executed to make Watson look more like the character Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, for Watson’s alleged audition for the forthcoming Hollywood film. To The Sun, an industry insider said: “Emma has auditioned with director David Fincher and cut her hair to look the part.” In the story, originally written by Stieg Larsson, the character is depicted as goth, bisexual, dangerous, and as having spikey hair.

If the rumours are true, Watson, who was recently dropped as the face of Burberry, is reportedly competing with nearly every young A-list actress for the role, including Ellen Page, Natalie Portman, Carey Mulligan, and Kristen Stewart. Furthermore, whoever wins the part of Lisbeth Salander is likely to be contracted to co-star with Daniel Craig in two additional sequel films.

Given the high stakes and fierce competition, Emma’s bold decision to cut her long flowing tresses is certainly comprehendible. Brave choice Emma! Hold nothing back. Good luck!

Although we will not be seeing Daniel Craig as James Bond again anytime soon, due to MGM’s bankruptcy, Craig fans will still be able to get their dose of the British actor in the upcoming Hollywood remake of the popular Swedish film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, as first reported by Deadline New York. Craig is rumored to have beaten out George Clooney, Johnny Depp, and Brad Pitt for the lead role.

Originally a novel by late Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson titled Män som hatar kvinnor (which literally translates to “Men Who Hate Women”), the story follows a middle-aged journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Craig), as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a girl who went missing forty years earlier at the age of sixteen.  The story is the first of three that make up what is called The Millenium Trilogy. The next two books in the series are titled respectively The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets’ Nest.

If Sony Pictures Entertainment goes forward with adapting all three Millenium books into films, Craig will be the first Bond actor to have been featured as the lead character in two separate movie franchises. The rest of the cast of the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo has not been announced yet, but the film has been slated for release on December 21, 2011.

Congratulations to Mr. Craig for winning the highly coveted role!

Oh noooo! This is such disappointing news for us James Bond fans. Movie studio MGM has confirmed that production of the twenty-third bond film has been completely terminated. Back in April, producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced that development of the next installment of the celebrated spy movie franchise had been put on hold “indefinitely” due to the financial instability of MGM, the distributor and major stakeholder of the Bond property. With this announcement, the film’s development has gone from being on hold to full stop.

To date, MGM is still bankrupt and seeking a buyer for the studio and/or its assets, such as James Bond. The studio has been given until July fourteenth by its lenders to work out a plan of action with potential buyers. The three major entities to emerge as the most likely to purchase MGM are Spyglass Entertainment, Summit Entertainment, and Lionsgate Entertainment.

Unfortunately, this news means it will likely be several years before we see a new Bond picture released in theaters. EON Productions, which produces the Bond films, has stated: “We do not know when development will resume and cannot comment further at this stage.” Daniel Craig, the most recent actor to play 007, has not released a statement about the cancelation. In light of the fact that he is under contract for at least two more films, Craig is probably not thrilled about the news.

I’m sad to say that it looks like we have no choice other than to simply live and let die… for now.

Stunning actress Rachel Weisz, is currently in Toronto, Ontario filming her upcoming movie Dream House opposite Daniel Craig and Naomi Watts.

But the Academy Award-winning mom, still found some down-time from her hectic shooting schedule to spend with her adorable son Henry.

Henry, 4 years-old next month is the son of Rachel’s partner, film director Darren Aronofsky.

It’s so nice-sz to see Weisz getting in some quality bonding time with the fam’!

Not yet, but Bond must vie another day… or year for that matter!

Production of the next James Bond movie has been suspended indefinitely due to the uncertain future of MGM.

Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli admitted they do not know when work on the 23^rd Bond film will resume and there is no scheduled release date. Wilson and Broccoli said: “Due to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM and the failure to close a sale of the studio, we have suspended development on ‘Bond 23’ indefinitely.”

The fate of the next installment of Bond is unclear because of distributor MGM’s bankruptcy and pending sale. MGM has reportedly received buyout offers from other Hollywood studios, but is thought to be holding out for higher bids. If MGM is taken over, the spy movie franchise will theoretically be controlled by the new owners; however, MGM could also sell the film rights for the franchise independently.

The news of the untitled Bond picture’s suspension comes after the film’s prospective release date, potentially the third to star actor Daniel Craig as 007, was repeatedly pushed back. On the producer’s decision to halt the project, Craig said: “I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael’s decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible.” Craig is widely expected to reprise the role of James Bond.

Ok, who do we have to call to get Bond back in action? Let’s get this movie going before Mr. Craig, the best Bond ever (I think), ages out of the role… which will take many decades of course.

Seriously MGM, don’t make us wait too long to see 007 kick more ass because if you do, we will need more than a quantum of solace.