Role of Eloise Cast

(andPOP) - A little-known Australian actress has beat out more than 4,000 other auditionees to win the role of Eloise in the upcoming movie based on the beloved children's book series.

Sydney's Jordana Beatty, 9, will star in "Eloise in Paris," playing the precocious six-year-old girl who lives in New York's ritzy Plaza Hotel with her dog and her turtle, producer HandMade Films announced Wednesday.

"Jordana is a unique combination of funny, feisty, sweet and soulful ... all the qualities that were so much the essence of Kay Thompson's iconic character," said director Charles Shyer in a statement.

Beatty first began acting in TV and commercials in Australia at the age of four.

"Kill Bill" and "Pulp Fiction" star Uma Thurman will play Eloise's guardian, Nanny, in the movie.

The character of Eloise made her debut in Thompson's 1957 bestseller of the same name, illustrated by Hilary Knight. The book was followed by "Eloise in Paris" and "Eloise at Christmastime," among others.

The series has been adapted to the small screen before, including an animated series and two 2003 TV movies starring Julie Andrews as Nanny.

The upcoming feature will mark Eloise's first time on the big screen, and producers say they hope it leads to a film franchise.

Filming will begin in August in New York and Paris.