London, Nov 17 (IANS) British actress Carey Mulligan has fought off competition from Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively to land the role of Leonardo DiCaprio's lover in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "The Great Gatsby".

The "Titanic" star has been cast as Jay Gatsby in the movie adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary masterpiece and rumours were rife over which actress would sign on as love interest Daisy Buchanan.

"Gossip Girl" beauty Lively was linked to the role after she was spotted enjoying a business dinner with DiCaprio and Luhrmann in New York City earlier this month while movie insiders claimed Johansson and Michelle Williams were also in the running.

Celebrifi.com reports, Luhrmann has now confirmed "An Education" star Mulligan will portray Buchanan after impressing the director with her audition.

"Regarding the role of Daisy Buchanan, I was privileged to explore the character with some of the world's most talented actresses, each one bringing their own particular interpretation, all of which were legitimate and exciting.

"However, specific to this particular production of 'The Great Gatsby', I was thrilled to pick up the phone an hour ago to the young Oscar-nominated British actress Carey Mulligan and say to her, 'Hello, Daisy Buchanan'," he said.