Naomi Watts has signed on to play Princess Diana in a new film about the tragic royal.
Naomi, 43, will star in upcoming biopic Caught In Flight, which focuses on the last two years of Diana’s life.
Film critics have expressed doubt about Naomi’s casting in the project, but the actress says she is up to the ‘challenge’ of playing Diana.
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“It is such an honour to be able to play this iconic role,” Naomi says. “Princess Diana was loved across the world, and I look forward to rising to the challenge of playing her on screen.”
Jessica Chastain — who is nominated for an Oscar for her role in The Help — was originally linked to the film but reportedly lost out to Naomi at the last minute.
Caught In Flight will be directed by Oscar nominee Oliver Hirschbiegel and filming is scheduled to begin in the UK next year.
It won’t be the only Diana movie in cinemas in 2013 — two other biopic projects are reportedly in the works.
Closely Guarded Secret will be based on the book of the same name written by Diana’s bodyguard Ken Wharfe.
It will chart Diana’s life in the lead-up to her much-publicised divorce from Prince Charles.
Another film, simply titled Diana is also planned, but it is not known what parts of the princess’ life it will cover.
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Naomi was born in Britain and moved to Australia when she was 14 years old. She now lives in New York with her husband Liev Schreiber and their sons Alexander, four, and Samuel, three.
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