Nicole Kidman is set to play the world’s first post-operative transsexual, with Charlize Theron co-starring as her wife. The Oscar-winning actress has signed on to star in and produce The Danish Girl, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The indie film will be based on the true story of Danish artist Einar Wegener, who was born a man in the late 19th century and married illustrator Gerda Gottlieb in 1904.
Einar was said to have discovered his true inclinations when he stood in for a female model who was due to pose for one of Gerde’s paintings, donning stockings and high heels.
He adopted the alter ego ‘Lili Elbe’ and embarked upon a series of operations in 1930, when gender reassignment surgery was at an experimental stage.
The case created a sensation in Europe and the Wegener’s marriage was declared null and void. Elbe died in 1931 as a result of complications from her fifth operation, which she hoped would allow her to have children.
