Actress Naomi Watts has revealed that she was nervous about playing Diana, the Princess of Wales in the upcoming biopic Diana. "It was very scary going into it," said the 43-year-old Australian actress at Cannes. "It was interesting getting to know her as I did all the research. "She is a fascinating woman who led an extraordinary but short life. The most fun part of it is the research. It was daunting because everyone feels they know her so well so you want to get it perfect. It’s not an impression, it’s an interpretation.'
Speaking about her best friend Nicole Kidman's recent role as Grace Kelly in the movie Grace of Monaco, Naomi revealed that she found it 'very funny' that the pair were cast as royalty in the same year. "It's a complete coincidence and very funny," she said. "We have had a few jokes about it." Diana, which is being made by UK-based Ecosse Films and acclaimed German director Oliver Hirschbiegel, will focus on the two years before Diana's death in August 1997. According to the filmmakers, the biopic "charts how finding true personal happiness for the first time allowed her to achieve her defining successes evolving into a major international campaigner and humanitarian".
British-born Australian actress Naomi said: "It is such an honour 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." Director Oliver added: "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." The movie is believed to explore her relationship with the heart surgeon Hasnat Khan who had a discreet romantic affair with Diana that began in 1995 and ended a few months before her death in August 1997. The film is based on a screenplay by playwright Stephen Jeffreys, who previously penned the script for the 2004 Johnny Depp film The Libertine.
