Emma Watson has been linked to the starring role in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

The Harry Potter star - who recently unveiled a stunning new pixie haircut - has reportedly auditioned for the English remake of the hit Swedish film, based on Stieg Larsson's best-selling novel, starring Daniel Craig as investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist.

According to The Sun, 20-year-old is rumoured to have auditioned for director David Fincher, and cut her hair off so she would look the part.

The title character, Lisbeth Salander, is a deeply troubled genius computer hacker tormented by a terrible childhood, with short hair and punky, goth style.

If the rumours are true, Emma's gamble might pay off. Noomi Rapace, who plays Lisbeth in the Swedish films of Larsson's Millennium trilogy, cut her hair and made herself look punky for her audition as movie bosses thought she was too feminine for the part.

Other actresses linked to the role for the English remake include Ellen Page, Natalie Portman, Carey Mulligan, Kristen Stewart and Alice In Wonderland star Mia Wasikowska.

Emma shocked fans last week when she posted a picture of her new haircut on her Facebook page and wrote: "Cut my hair off a few days ago. Feels incredible... It's the most liberating thing ever."