Andrej Pejic, androgynous Australian model, set for Sofia Coppola’s The Little Mermaid remake

THE androgynous Australian model who describes herself as ‘between genders’ is breaking down barriers with her first big movie role.

Andrej Pejic at NGV Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition for Best Weekend Melbourne story

ADROGYNOUS Australian model Andrej Pejic is the first name to be attached to Sofia Coppola’s much-anticipated new live-action version of The Little Mermaid.

According to IMDB, Pejic is the first actor to sign on for the project — but she won’t be playing Ariel. She’ll be seen as ‘Sister #4’.

It’s a big break for the Bosnian-born Aussie model, who has made waves in the fashion industry in recent years with her androgynous look. Born a boy, Pejic found most success modelling women’s clothing. The 22-year-old now says she prefers to use feminine pronouns to describe herself, saying she lives “in between genders.”

Model Andrej Pejic recently appeared in a David Bowie video — now she’s landed her first film role.

Don’t expect a Disney-esque technicolour spectacular from Coppola’s interpretation of The Little Mermaid, due for release next year. The Lost in Translation and The Bling Ring director is said to be going for a darker tone, more in line with Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale.

Director Sofia Coppola is said to be planning a darker take on The Little Mermaid. Picture: Getty Images