(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Rooney Mara admits that she can be "shy and aloof".

The 26-year-old actress plays Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's new film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

In real life social situations, Rooney prefers to survey her surroundings rather than be the centre of attention.

"I'm very shy and aloof and quiet," Rooney told Entertainment Weekly. "I'm very slow to warm. I'm much more of a wallflower. I like to observe people much more than I like to be observed."

Many of Rooney's loved ones are in awe about how she is coping with fame.

"Most people who know me are like, You are the wrong person for all of this to be happening to. I don't know how you're going to get through it,'" Rooney said.

Rooney's character Lisbeth is a rogue computer hacking heroine that makes perpetrators pay for their crimes.

The shy actress made her greatest attempt to faithfully portray Lisbeth's strength, even when she had to face cameras in the nude.

"[Lisbeth's] sexuality is such an important part of the character and she's very comfortable with it, so I didn't have time or room to be uncomfortable," Rooney explained. "I know it's me naked up there, but I don't feel like it's me. I'm covered in tattoos and I'm pierced. I just don't feel exposed or exploited in any way."

Rooney enjoyed the challenge of playing a character like Lisbeth. She would like to take on more complex roles in the future.

"I want to do something really different," she declared. "I want to continue doing things where I can transform myself, where it's really different from me. I'd like to have a career where I'm always unrecognisable in the parts I choose."

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is currently in theatres. (C) Cover Media