The Coen Brothers have chosen Hailee Steinfeld to play the crucial lead role of Mattie Ross in True Grit according to Variety.  Paramount Pictures put out a nationwide open casting call for the part and now the Coens have their unknown actress and surrounded her with highly-talented actors Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin.  This isn't to say that Steinfeld isn't talented.  In fact, with such a wide selection of actresses, it's impressive that she was chosen above them all.  I'm not sure if the Hailee Steinfeld listed on IMDb is the same actress, but she looks like she could pass as a 14-year-old (she may even be fourteen, but IMDb doesn't provide her date of birth).

Hit a jump for a brief synopsis on the flick.

For those just tuning in, here's a brief synopsis on Charles Portis' novel:

On a mission to track down the man who killed her father, spunky 14 year old Mattie Ross hires colorful, drunken, one-eyed, fast-shooting, larger than life Marshal Rooster Cogburn to help her in her quest. This odd couple is well-matched only in that they both have true grit to spare, and they require every ounce they possess for their perilous adventure through lawless Indian territory...

True Grit was first adapted in 1959 and is best known as the film that won John Wayne his only Oscar.  The 1959 version co-starred Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, Jeff Corey, with Kim Darby in the role of Mattie.  The Coens have said that their version will be a more faithful adaptation of the novel.