Princess Diana movie to be made in the UK, starring Naomi Watts

GlobalPost

Australian actress Naomi Watts has reportedly been chosen to portray Diana, Princess of Wales, in a movie focusing on the last two years of the late Royal's life.

The biopic "Caught In Flight," being made by British company Ecosse Films, is based on a screenplay by playwright Stephen Jeffreys, who also wrote "The Libertine," about a debaucherous 17th-century poet the Earl of Rochester, the movie version of which starred Johnnie Depp.

The movie, to be produced in the UK by Britain's Ecosse Films, is billed as the first big-screen film about Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997. Several TV movies were made, most of them by US production companies.

According to NewsCore, it will show how "the people's princess" — as the mother of princes William and Harry was known — "finally found true personal happiness and achieved success as an international campaigner and humanitarian."

However, Reuters cited reports as saying that the movie will focus on Diana's secret two-year affair with heart surgeon Hasnat Khan following her estrangement, and later divorce, from British heir to the throne, Prince Charles.

Reuters quoted British-born Watts, 43, as saying: "It is such an honor to be able to play this iconic role — Princess Diana was loved across the world, and I look forward to rising to the challenge of playing her on screen."

Watts, who reportedly beat out US actress Jessica Chastain to win the part, was last seen in "J. Edgar" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, and political movie "Fair Game," however she also played the lead in a 2005 remake of "King Kong."

The film will be directed by Oscar nominee German director Oliver Hirschbiegel, Deadline.com reported.

Hirschbiegel reportedly said: "I am delighted to have such a truly exceptional actress who embodies the warmth, humanity and empathy of such a global icon as Princess Diana."

However, as the LA Times pointed out:

"No word on how princes Harry or William feel about the forthcoming film, nor the sentiments of Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge."

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