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Diana: Movie About the Tragic Princess of Wales

by JoHarrington

Originally called 'Caught in Flight', a film about Princess Diana will star award-winning British actress Naomi Watts.

The last two years in the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, are to be retold in a movie directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel.

Her romantic entanglements with both Dr Hasnat Khan and Dodi Fayed will form the basis of the plot. The fine details are coming from the autobiography of her bodyguard during that time.

It's no spoiler to note that it will all end in tragedy, inside a Parisian Underpass.

Princess Diana will be played by Naomi Watts. She has achieved critical acclaim for previous roles, including an Oscar nomination for best actress. Ecosse Films have allocated a budget of $20m to get this right.

Diana on DVD

Since writing this article, the movie was released.

August 31st 1997: The Death of Diana, Princess of Wales

Can you recall where you were when you heard the news? I most certainly can.

Fifteen years ago, the world was in shock. The 'Queen of Hearts', Diana, Princess of Wales, was dead.

Chased by paparazzi, perched on motorcycles and creating strobe lights of their camera flashes, Diana and Dodi left the Hilton Hotel.  They hurried into the back of a car, with their bodyguard, and a driver who was apparently drunk.

A few minutes later, that car was wreckage. It had crashed into a pillar and the walls of the underpass.  Diana, Dodi and driver Henri Paul were dead.  Only bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived to tell the terrifying tale of chaos, under the lenses of the press.

I remember it well.  The news came during my birthday party. Nobody could quite believe it; and even the anti-monarchists looked stunned.  I also recall one friend trying to lighten the mood again by quipping, "I wonder who'll play her when Hollywood makes the inevitable movie."

After a decade and a half, the wait is over to answer his musing. It's Naomi Watts, an actress who scrubs up quite well to look like the glamorous princess.

Also on Amazon Instant Video

Dramatization of the Death of Princess Diana

This isn't from the film Diana, but it does remind us of what happened back then. This is what the movie will be about.

Books about the Death of Diana

Read these biographies and theories to understand the controversies about the events of that night.

Naomi Watts as Princess Diana

This British actress was nominated for a best actress Oscar, for her role as Christina Peck in '21 Grams'.

Naomi Watts has been named one of People Magazine's Top 50 Most Beautiful People.

That could be for her obvious physical charms, but also her charitable work. She is a goodwill ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

It's the sort of biography that you would expect to have read about Diana herself.  But the similarities mostly end there.

Born in England and raised in Wales, Naomi got her big acting break in Australian television.  She starred in Home and Away, before moving to the States.  A glittering Hollywood career awaited her there.

Naomi has acted in such classics as Mulholland Drive and The Ring, but it was 21 Grams which saw her nominated for an Academy Award.

Her most recent movies were Dream House and J. Edgar, which were both released in 2011. Another film is in post-production.  But Naomi is currently in Croatia, filming scenes for Diana.

It's been reported that the actress has undergone classes to match her mannerisms, body language and gait with the late princess. Voice coach William Conache is working with Noami to help reproduce Diana's upper crust tones.

Other Known Cast Members

Two members of the Lost cast reunite as Naomi's leading men.

Naveen Andrews has stepped up to the role of Dr Hasnat Khan.  He is better known in his roles as Sayid Jarrah in Lost, or Kip in The English Patient.

Dodi Fayed will be played by Canadian actor Cas Anvar. He was also in Lost, as Omer Jarrah.  His film credits include roles in Source Code and Neverland; but gamers will know him as the voice of Altaïr ibn La-Ahad, in Assassin's Creed Revelations.

Diana is scheduled for release in 2013.

Latest News About Diana (the film)

Kristen Stewart's Princess Diana movie is now available on Channel 4  Digital Spy
12 Movies That Give Their Own Re-Telling of Princess Diana’s Story  SheKnows
Royals at the Movies: Kate Middleton, Princess Diana and More [PHOTOS]  WWD
When Billy Crystal met Princess Diana  BBC.com

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Updated: 05/05/2014, JoHarrington
 
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JoHarrington on 09/25/2013

I haven't seen it yet, but my auntie wants to go, so I'll take her. Is it good?

People are going to have their ideas about Diana for a generation yet.

Rose on 09/25/2013

Naomi Watts is an excellent actress - but perhaps they should have waited longer before making a movie about Diana. People have their preconceived ideas about Diana, and I'm not sure the movie has gotten a fair reception because of it.

JoHarrington on 08/14/2012

That year was horrendous. There were several personal ones, as well as all of the celebrity ones. These things do seem to come in clusters, you're right.

Ragtimelil on 08/14/2012

Deaths seem to come in threes. Diana, Sonny Bono and one more Kennedy left us within weeks apart. A sad time.

JoHarrington on 08/14/2012

I didn't know it was so big in the US too. Mind you, that goes both ways. My mother and her sisters still talk about their shock over the assassination of JFK.

BrendaReeves on 08/14/2012

It was just as shocking in the U.S., Jo. People were glued to their TV sets for two weeks.

JoHarrington on 08/09/2012

It was so shocking here when she died. I didn't expect to be as stunned as I was.

katiem2 on 08/09/2012

I adore princess Di, she was and will always be a great role model for everyone, especially women. We all have a bit of princess in us and make the world a better place by acting as such. :)K

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