Natalie Portman back in the running for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The chase to play the role of Lisbeth Salander has taken many turns over the last few months, and the road only seems to be getting twistier. Or maybe it's doubling back on itself, finally? Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Sony is once again looking at Natalie Portman to take on the sought after role. She was one of the first actresses discussed soon after David Fincher signed on to direct, with him even offering her the role flat out. She turned it down at the time, and testing of other actresses began.

Maybe they didn't like the compatability during screen tests between the contenders and Daniel Craig. Those contenders are still said to include Ellen Page(Inception), Mia Wasikowska(Alice in Wonderland), Emily Browning(The Uninvited), Katie Jarvis(Fish Tank), and others.  Nothing has been said as to whether or not Portman is interested in the role again. This could all just be Sony thinking about redoubling their efforts to sign her.

I like the idea of Portman for many of the same reasons I dug the idea of Carey Mulligan. It would be a massive transformation into the goth look Lisbeth sports, and I want to see how that plays out. It's the type of role that is going to require a ton of commitment, as Fincher wants his actors to use Swedish accents. That could turn out to be a problem.  Lisbeth's character in particular goes through some very traumatic experiences. The type that a lot of actresses shy away from. I don't think Portman is the type to get scared away very easily, though.