<Ul> <Li> Evelyn Lennon as Susie (Age 3) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Evelyn Lennon as Susie (Age 3) </Li> <Li> Stanley Tucci as George Harvey, a serial killer who murders Susie . Tucci stated that he had researched his role by watching documentaries and reading books by criminal profiler John E. Douglas about catching serial killers . Tucci stated that his wife, Kate, had strongly urged him not to accept his role in the film because she felt, after reading the novel, that the subject matter was "too harrowing ." </Li> <Li> Mark Wahlberg as Jack Salmon, Susie's father, who becomes obsessed with his daughter's murder case . Wahlberg stated that his role in the film encouraged him to be a more cautious parent with his three children and to talk to them more about "not talking to strangers ." Before Wahlberg's casting, Ryan Gosling was set to play the role but dropped out of the film in October 2007, one month before filming . Gosling had gained weight and grown a beard for the role, but said, "The age of the character versus my real age (of twenty - six) was always a concern of mine . Peter (Jackson) and I tried to make it work and ultimately it just didn't . I think the film is much better off with Mark Wahlberg in that role ." Gosling later admitted that the real reason for his firing was that he had arrived for filming 60 lbs. overweight and sporting a beard, without having discussed the physical change with Jackson . </Li>

Who plays the murderer in the lovely bones