Fanning: 'Runaways' offered new challenge

LOS ANGELES, March 20 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Dakota Fanning said appearing in the upcoming film "The Runaways" gave her a chance to embrace a more mature film role.

Parade Magazine said Friday that Fanning, 16, plays the role of Cherie Currie in "Runaways," which is based on the real-life all-girl rock band of the same name.

"A big reason I wanted to do 'The Runaways' was to do something unlike anything that I've done before. I'm ready to have people see me in a different way than like the kid in 'I Am Sam' or 'War of the Worlds.' You have to kind of grow up," Fanning said. "Everyone has to do it. I am doing it through films, which may be more difficult, but it's what I love to do."

For Fanning, playing Currie in the film from director Floria Sigismondi meant being featured living in a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll.

"It was tough going to those places, but I've always been able to just go there and then come back," Fanning said of the cinematic challenge. "I'm able to leave it on the set. It's not something that lives with me forever."