Elle Fanning Debuts New Hairdo at Premiere for 'The Boxtrolls'

Elle Fanning at the ‘Boxtrolls’ premiere on Sunday

Actress Elle Fanning debuted a brand new ‘do at the red carpet premiere for The Boxtrolls on Sunday.

The 16-year-old ingénue is well known for her flowing light blonde locks. In last summer’s Maleficent, Fanning’s golden tresses were as much a part of her character (the innocent and kind-hearted Aurora) as Angelina Jolie’s horns were a part of hers.

No more. Fanning walked the carpet with straight, stylish, dark brown hair, a big departure from what her fans are used to seeing in films like We Bought a Zoo and Super 8. The unexpected switch caused a wave of online interest. “**Sound the new hair alarm, y’all** Elle Fanning is no longer blonde. I repeat, no longer blonde,” tweeted MTV Style. The Hollywood Reporter's Pret-a-Reporter tweeted, “Elle Fanning has a new look and we are totally into it.”

Elle Fanning in ‘Maleficent’

It isn’t known if the switch was done for a movie or for fun, however Refinery29 points out that it may be the former. Fanning is currently filming Trumbo, a historical drama about Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (played by Bryan Cranston) who was accused of having Communist ties. Dalton and wife Cleo (Diane Lane) were both dark-haired. Fanning will play their daughter Nikola.

Fanning’s real life locks won’t get any screen time in The Boxtrolls. The animated film hits theaters this Friday and features the voices of Fanning, Ben Kingsley, Nick Frost, and Tracy Morgan. Interestingly, Fanning’s character is neither blonde nor brunette: She’s a redhead.

Watch a video of Fanning’s character in The Boxtrolls below:

Photo credits: Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Disney