Abbie Cornish wows as Anna Nicole Smith in new biopic

Abbie Cornish has transformed into Anna Nicole Smith in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor.

Paparazzi pics from the set show the Australian actor in a platinum blonde wig and a silver dress, in a detailed recreation of the look of the late actor and model.

The film, written and directed by Thane Economou, tells the story of Dr Sandeep Kapoor, Smith's doctor, who was charged with several felonies related to prescribing medications before she died in 2007.

He was cleared of any wrongdoing and acquitted of all charges after a nine-week trial.

Kal Penn, who co-stars as Kapoor, told Variety he will never forget seeing Cornish for the first time as Anna Nicole Smith.

"She really embodied Anna Nicole in a very striking way," he told the outlet.

"She was a completely different person. I briefly met Anna Nicole a handful of times way back when I was starting my career, and she was on a reality show. I never really had any conversations of any note with her, but it definitely brought me back to that time. Abbie is excellent. She's phenomenal in this role."

When announcing the role, Cornish, who rose to fame in 2004's Somersault opposite Sam Worthington before following it up with Candy alongside Heath Ledger in 2007, said she was "beyond excited" to be working on the film, which is based on Kapoor's book Trust Me, I'm A Doctor: My Life Before, During and After Anna Nicole Smith.

Trust Me, I'm a Doctor will be released in cinemas on 16 October.