With production starting on Diana (previously known as Caught In Flight), images of Naomi Watts on the set have popped up online, but now the first official shot has been released, showing that the actress is a dead ringer for the princess.
Here’s the press release announcing the start of shooting: London, July 3 2012: Ecosse Films (NOWHERE BOY, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, MRS BROWN, BECOMING JANE) has today announced that their highly anticipated Diana’ project has this week commenced shooting.
Leading the cast is British-born Academy®-Award nominated actress Naomi Watts (J. EDGAR, FAIR GAME, 21 GRAMS) as the eponymous and iconic Princess.
DIANA – previously reported under its working title of CAUGHT IN FLIGHT – will be directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Academy®-Award nominated for DOWNFALL), and is based on a screenplay by Stephen Jeffreys. Joining Naomi Watts will be fellow Brits Naveen Andrews as Dr Hasnat Khan, Douglas Hodge and Juliet Stevenson.
From the set of the film, Ms.Watts said: “I’m excited and honoured to be playing the role of a truly remarkable woman, who had such a positive and profound impact in so many ways.
DIANA is a compelling portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales during the final two years of her life. It charts how finding true personal happiness allowed her to achieve her defining successes, as she evolved into a major international campaigner and humanitarian.
Locations for the 9-week shoot will include Croatia, Mozambique, as well as various locations in and around London and the South of England.
Speaking today, Ecosse Films’ Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae stated: “We are very excited to be working with such a talented and creative team both in front of and behind the camera. Everyone’s aim is to produce a truly insightful and compassionate study of Diana’s later years.
International sales on DIANA are being handled by Embankment Films, with all major international territories pre-sold (ex USA.)
DIANA is produced by Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae of Ecosse and will be co-produced by Matt Delargy, James Saynor (also of Ecosse) and Paul Ritchie. Executive producers are Tim Haslam and Mark Woolley. Journalist and documentary filmmaker Kate Snell is acting as Associate Producer.