Rooney Mara vs. Noomi Rapace: Who's the better Lisbeth Salander?

Rooney Mara, left, and Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander.

/ Columbia TriStar Marketing Group/Nordisk Film

(CBS) American actress Rooney Mara has been winning accolades for her portrayal of Stieg Larsson's fictional character Lisbeth Salander, just as Swedish actress Noomi Rapace did before her.

Pictures: "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" premiere

The 26-year-old Mara, who dominates David Fincher's version of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," has been called "nothing short of brilliant" in a CNN review by Mark Rabinowitz, and "a mesmerizing screen presence" by Ann Hornaday, a Washington Post reviewer.

Noomi Rapace, 31, garnered similar bouquets when she played Salander in the three Swedish movies based on Larsson's trilogy. Those were broadcast in Sweden as a TV miniseries and in the U.S. as a trio of movies.

It was American audiences' fascination with Larsson's work that brought Rapace to Hollywood's attention. She now has a role in the just-opened "Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows" with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law and has been cast in Ridley Scott's "Prometheus."

But who made the better Lisbeth Salander, who has become an iconic female character in modern literature? Take our poll and discuss your choice in the comments below.

[TobiasBlack]

Rooney Mara everyday of the week, Rooney has the small skinny body of a 12 year old (like in the books) a lot less make up (like in the books) and she was a lot less chatty with blomqvist than Noomi, but fair play Noomi did not dissapoint both were incredibly great.

Rooney 10/10
Noomi 8.9/10

[BobShat]

Read the three books in 4 days and enjoyed them very much. Then saw the three Swedish film versions twice during 2010 to 201l and they were my favorite movies of the year. Noomi as Lisbeth was mesmerizing. On my 1-10 scale, I gave the films a 10, 9, and 10. I eagerly awaited the Fincher version since he is such a great film maker and saw his The Girl with The Dragon Tatoo the first day it was released. It has a great look to it (larger budget) and was a good film. I gave it a 9. Rooney did a good job as Lisbeth. I found her softer and more revealing in showing her feelings which the book Lisbeth did not. I had no problem with the subtitles in the Swedish films and in fact had more of a problem in the American version understanding the Swedish dialect used by he American actors. (Incidentally the DVD also has the option of English being dubbed and although not my favorite it worked for many of my friends.) In addition to watching the three Swedish films two times, I have now watched the original Dragon Tatoo four times (once immediately after watching Finchers version). Fincher made 4 relatively minor changes from the original which I felt weakened the story: Lisbeth having her pc stolen in the subway followed by a chase scene rather than her being attached by the 5 thugs which showed violently her ability to fight back; the awkward scene with Daniel Craig caught wandering around the death house; Lisbeth asking Daniel Craig "May I kill him" was neither asked nor needed in the Swedish version; and finally where the missing granddaughter was found. As for Rooney vs. Noomi, I found Noo0mi beautiful but scary and a very damaged person as is developed in books 2 and 3. Rooney is sweet and not as scary. Given the U. S. Box office results, I am wondering if Fincher is going to complete the trilogy. Finally,m I admit to falling in love with Noomi and look forward to all her future films.

[Rdepontbaltimore]

My wife and I loved the original Swedish version of all three films. Seeing Noomi maintain that intensity and inner strength all the way through--perfect. The distance provided by foreign-language aspect, to us, made the movie easier to handle. We couldn't imagine how they'd bring that rabid cruelty to the screen.

That said, we also very much liked the new English-language version. It seemed to leave out a few threads from the book. Mara was also excellent; knowing her privileged background (her family owns the Steelers and Patriots football teams!), you could understand her abandonment of self needed for this role---she had confidence that she could "get back" to her self at the end.

[patch64]

Much prefer Rooney Mara and this english speaking version. I was very disppointed with the original Swedish take on the books, especially the relationship between Salander and Blomquist. Rooney was excellent as Lisbeth. There was a brittleness there that Rapace didn't capture at all.

[mike70535]

I don't know how you can say that. Noomi's version was more aggressive as she was in the book; not mild-mannered as the Fincher version was. Noomi IS Lisbeth Salander. Salander is shy at times but also could unleash that side of her that was unrivaled fury, which Rapace definitely captured throughout the trilogy.

[UForgotPoland]

Noomi Rapace is like 10 times hotter!

[dweissman7]

Wow! I have been thinking the exact same thing. I agree with you 100%. I first saw Rooney in the Social Network and thought she was decent looking. I haven't seen the remake and I am not sure I even want to because I think Rapaces' portrayal of Lisbeth was brilliant. I know that sounds completely narrowminded but anyways I appreciate your comment because I think Rapace is smokin' hot.

[LambChop2010]

Noomi Rapace is fabulous in her role as Lisbeth Salander. To me there will be no other.

I'm skipping the remake. For that is what it is.... A Remake!!

[Henri_Rochard]

Rapace seems to have a harder edge to me. Mara looks more like an automaton.

Sometimes simpler is better. The original 'Day The Earth Stood Still' is far, far superior than the remake.

For an oldie, oldie with good acting and amateurish special effects, try 'Destination Tokyo' with Cary Grant.

[jepumm]

The funny thing to me is that I know what you mean but in the opposite way. I only saw the remake but I cannot imagine someone playing Lisbeth better than Mara. If the rest of the movie wasn't so intense and boring (long and dragged out) at the same time I would watch it again and again just for Rooney Mara. She is outstanding in every way. In my opinion nothing else in the movie holds up to her. If you are looking at the character, even if it is different, it will be worth it to watch this movie. If you are disappointed it will not be because of Rooney Mara.

[hush_puppy]

The first film was far better but there is nothing wrong at all with the new one either.

[LisaHMFGH]

Absolutely fantastic portrayal by Noomi Rapace. I was an instant fan. Not an easy role to play as a woman. I was skeptical when I heard that there would be an American version. I have seen the trailer and now want to see the film. I still think I will always appreciate Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth though.

[goldenlady526]

Both actresses delivered stellar performances in their own way, however if you read Stieg Larrson's books carefully, you'll find that his characterization of Lisbeth Salander is more closely captured by Rooney Mara than Noomi Rapace. Lisbeth is supposed to be so skinny that she looks like a boy (and Rooney comes closer to this description). Rooney's facial expression (especially her eyes) are also more faithful to Larrson's Lisbeth.

[moviemusicbuff]

Both are excellent. Noomi Rapace is outstanding in the role and many will identify her with Lisbeth Salander because she played the character first in the excellent Swedish version. Rapace's Lisbeth is a fighter who wants justice served against those who abuse women. I thought Rooney Mara's portrayal was equally excellent. Mara is able to capture the vulnerability and tenderness of Lisbeth, along with her fighting spirit. The US remake does a better job than the Swedish version of developing the relationship between Lisbeth and Michael Blomkvist. Both actresses should be commended for doing an outstanding job of making the Lisbeth Salander character come alive in such vibrant and interesting way