Naomi Watts is one of those unique celebrities – incredibly beautiful and yet down to earth (probably able to walk around without being noticed). Maybe it has something to do with being raised in laid-back Australia, although she is English born and now lives in New York. She has two sons and an enviable eight year length marriage (given Hollywood norms) to actor Live Schreiber.
Like many Australian’s she started her acting life with a stint on Home And Away, but perhaps unusually she did not really bloom in Hollywood until she was in her 30’s gaining critical acclaim for her work in David Lynch‘s 2001 psychological thriller Mulholland Drive, starring alongside Justin Theroux and Laura Harring. Then next came public recognition for her participation in the box office hit horror film The Ring. In 2004, she received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress as well as for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Cristina Peck in 2003 drama 21 Grams. Her other film roles have included: The 2005 remake of King Kong, the 2006 remake of The Painted Veil, the 2007 thriller Eastern Promises, the 2009 thriller The International. Then In 2010, Watts portrayed Valerie Plame Wilson, opposite Sean Penn as Joe Wilson, in Fair Game. In 2011 J Edgar and Dream House and this year The Impossible and Movie 43 which is in post-production.
But perhaps it is this film that will be the absolute making of her – Diana. Originally the film was going to be called Caught In Flight but has since been changed to just ‘Diana’. The movie will tell the story of the last two years of Princess Diana’s life. Understandably she has admitted that she’s “terrified” of playing the high-profile role, but she wants people to know that she understands the legacy that Diana leaves behind and the special importance that she holds in the heart of British people. She did much research on the role and was so serious about it that she moved to Kensington in London to be in the same area that Princess Diana lived whilst in royal residence at Kensington palace.
The film was directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall – a portrayal of the final few days of the Nazi regime), the movie will explore Diana’s relationship with heart surgeon Hasnet Khan (being played by Naveen Andrews – known from The Buddha of Suburbia and Lost) they had a discreet affair that began in 1995 and ended a few months before her death in 1997. Rumours and photographs from the set suggest the film will also include the relationship she had with Dodi Al Fayed (played by Cas Anvar) and her death following a car crash in Paris.
Perhaps not surprisingly the Ecosse Directors – Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae have already faced some criticisms, but they have moved fast to quash them saying “everyone’s aim was to produce a truly insightful and compassionate study of Diana’s later years”. Ecosse adds the biopic “charts how finding true personal happiness allowed her to achieve her defining successes, as she evolved into a major international campaigner and humanitarian”.
Filming took place in Zagreb in Croatia as well as in London and other parts of the UK. Naomi’s co-star Naveen has been extremely complimentary saying he believes Watts was the only actress capable of playing the charismatic princess. However Jessica Chastain was actually first choice to play the role but she later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Douglas Hodge and Juliet Stevenson are also among the cast for the film.
Speaking from the set, 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.”
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