Rooney Mara falls for Cate Blanchett in new film

Actress Rooney Mara will star in a lesbian love story with Cate Blanchett.Photo / AP

Rooney Mara will romance Cate Blanchett in director Todd Haynes's new movie Carol after stepping in to replace Mia Wasikowska.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star will portray a lesbian who falls for a frustrated wife in the adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's love story, which she published in 1952 under the name Claire Morgan.

Announcing the casting switch, Haynes said: "We're over the moon to have Rooney on board. I've been a tremendous admirer of her work from the beginning, so the thought of bringing her together with Cate onscreen is thrilling to say the least."

Filming will begin early in 2014.

- WENN